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Read or listen to Victoria Pinany’s full oral history. Original interview in Malagasy. An English translation is also available.

My challenge is about how to do my calling. For example, when I was a Relief Society president, I had to visit our sisters and they have lots of problems, and it was hard for me to solve their problems. One sister told me that a poor sister shouldn’t be called to be a president, it should be a sister who has money to help. That hurt my feelings, but I kept doing my part. I accepted that in Madagascar, there are a lot of people who are struggling financially. I was also called to be a self-reliance specialist, and I myself am not self-reliant. It is hard for me to do this calling.


As a member in society, I feel accepted. It makes me happy when I am with others and they ask me to say a prayer. They say they trust my prayers. They feel the spirit when a Latter-day Saint prays. I like that.

To me, all tasks in the church are important. There are callings for you and you need to accept and do it. You need to follow the commandments and teach what you have learned to those around you. It is an example to your neighbors and your families. There are not special callings, all are important.