• The Andrew Lees Trust (www.andrewleestrust.org) delivers education and information to the people of Southern Madgascar to increase self-sufficiency and reduce poverty. It does this through radio broadcasts and direct programmes.

• Project Radio produces radio learning programmes in local dialects on topics relevant to Malagasy villagers. These have included crop storage techniques, the dangers of slash and burn farming, how trees relate to rain, the use of beehives to protect forests, newborn baby practices, and promoting hospital free eye services.

• The Drought Mitigation Programme encourages tree planting, natural resource management techniques, and the sowing of drought resistant crops.

• The first fuel efficient stoves were introduced to villages under Project Energy. They proved very popular and effective. The stoves produce less smoke, and save cooking time and fuel wood. Annual cost savings averaged over £53/family.

• The Radio Project reaches an estimated 900,000 listeners out of a population of 2m in Southern Madagascar. This will rise to over 1m from 2008.

• 59% of literacy group members said that radio programme encouragement was their main inspiration for studying. Literacy rates are 10-20% in the target area.

• More women exclusively breastfed newborns (vs. giving the traditional plant tea that can cause diarrhoea and fatalities) after listening to radio health programmes.