Jonoro and Hanitra have been hard at work with many things in the village of Anjabetrongo, Madagascar – at the edge of the Mikea Forest. One of those things is building a solid school program in a village that had never seen a school before. When we started work in this village a few years ago, no one could read – not even the elders. And at first, parents were both suspicious and reluctant to allow their children to attend. Now, they not only send their children to school, but have formed a parent school association to participate in their children’s education.
When we decided to build a new school building, the parents were there to contribute local materials. They gathered wood and each family brought planks for the walls. We wanted a building mostly constructed of local materials, but strong enough to keep out the rain and withstand cyclone force winds that buffet the island every season. Ancient Path contributed $1000 for metal roofing and Jonoro organized the men in the village to start building.
The children answer the school bell daily – a rusted tire rim beaten with a stick, that is also used to call the village to important meetings. They line up outside in an orderly fashion and, on cue, enter the doorway to begin work at rough-hewn desks using round branches as seats. Their supplies are limited but the few books and materials they have, they share joyfully.
Meet the children of Hope School, Anjabetrongo, through the individual school portraits below. Click once on each photo to enlarge. [flickr-gallery mode=”photoset” photoset=”72157623171186127″]
These photos enable us to pray for the school children of Anjabetrongo by name. Will you pray with us?