Ancient Path partner, Pastor Jonoro Tefy Emmanuel has just returned from another visit to the village of Anjabetrongo on the edge of the Mikea Forest. He reports great results of the first official exam for the fifth and sixth grade students – an exam in Madagascar that is called CEPE. In Madagascar, a CEPE is a nationwide standardized test – a Certificate of Primary Studies granted after completion of five years of primary school. In Malagasy villages this is a significant achievement for these children and their families – and as great a cause for celebration as a high school diploma in the USA!
Out of the five students sitting for this national exam, all five passed – and notably, one of the successful students is a girl. Jonoro writes:
Our 5 kids presenting to CEPE have all succeeded. One of them is a girl. One of them, a boy named Velosoa, came from a very poor family, but we thank God he could pass. Me and the other teachers have discussed how to help this boy to go ahead, as their economic resources doesn’t allow him to continue. To help increasing his family crops can be a good help.
One of our kids from last year is graduated to middle class and has asked us to open the middle class in Anjabetrongo. It is difficult for them to live alone since he must travel 18 km away to go to nearest middle class. They have to care for their foods and their lives. Some have to live with relatives but still it is difficult for some. Especially for girls in such area to live alone is a big challenge. Here girls got be married earlier, 13 years old (all our girls in school from G2 are at risk and very vulnerable. They need a big help). We haven’t yet answer their request. We are still praying. Now that our official permission allowed us to have such level, but we are asking ourselves yet how.
Jonoro also reports that the final exam results for all of the other classes are also very encouraging – especially since such a high number of girls succeeded. Because Masikoro culture promotes and favors males over females, this shows great hope and promise for the girls and the young women in the village. Jonoro concludes his report on the school with these words:
We plan to distribute promotion for succeeded kids as when possible to encourage them. Thank you for your support and your prayer for the coming challenge for the kids and teachers. Also we would like you to pray for food problem in Anjabetrongo right now. Many people don t eat at noon. They are out in the forest digging for roots and don’t come back until the evening. Misaotra tompoko (Thank you very much!)
Jonoro also sent photos of discipleship training for the church leadership in Anjabetrongo and also of the airstrip that is now used often by Mission Aviation Fellowship. We still remember well the early days in Anjabetrongo – in 2003 when Jonoro and an Ancient Path volunteer named David Craun painstakingly marked the boundary lines with bags of lime; in 2004 when the villagers came out to help us dig up stumps and set brush fires to clear the land, singing as we worked on that brutally hot day. Those were difficult but joyous days and now,as we ponder everything that has happened in the last decade, we are so thankful to have been a small part of what God has done in this remote, but much-loved village!
Looking at Anjabetrongo today, it’s hard to believe that ten years ago there was no school, no church, no airstrip – and no hope. Though still a day to day battle for survival, the lives of these precious people are being transformed by the love of God being demonstrated through our partners, Jonoro and Hanitra, the many organizations working with them, and the supporters who pray and give generously. To view the latest photos from Anjabetrongo click here .
