The Rakotos have been at the Alasora church for 24 years and his salary is virtually the same as that for Jean Emile at Isoavana. They said most people are farmers or they work in a nearby paper plant or for the electric utility. A marvelous dinner program of Malagasy music and dance by the young people of the church highlighted the day. The new church is then taken care of by a pastor already working in that area. In the last 10 years, the program has started 500 new churches around the country.
Many pastors also serve as principals of church-run schools.
Something must be done. One person she knew has passed her auto driver's exams but she has not received her license because she refuses to pay the expected bribe. But sometimes they forget they are church members and part of our job is to remind them. Transportation is a major problem for pastors. She said it would take her the rest of the day to get home.