Help Children in Madagascar Gain an Education

Nearing project close, Ranomafana Lycée (high school) is scheduled to be complete by the end of February 2020. 

SEED’s Head of Construction recently travelled to the remote school site, where he spoke with high school students who will be attending the new school. Students in the community of Ranomafana are excited to have their own designated school building for the first time. They expressed what the construction of the Lycée means to the community and why it will be so impactful.

Maho, an 18-year-old student told SEED that “there are not enough classrooms, so when the school is done, we will be very happy”. The current lack of classroom space limits high school students to attending only half days of school. Another student, Miha, who will begin his baccalaureate during the upcoming school year shared that, “because of the new school building, many students will be successful and happy, and the number of kids able to stay in school will increase”. The Lycée will provide 245 students with the opportunity to achieve higher-level education, a crucial component in enabling young people and their families to escape the vicious cycle of poverty.

None of this would be possible without the passion and dedication of a memorable SEED staff and committed community member, Dadah. An advocate for education, Dadah identified the need for improved education infrastructure in his home community of Ranomafana. Once brought to SEED’s attention, Dadah and the team began planning this next phase of Project Sekoly. Tragically, Dadah passed away in a road accident, however his kind spirit and passion will live on through the halls of Ranomafana Lycée, providing bright futures for young people in his hometown. A stone has been engraved in Dadah’s memory, honouring his hard work and dedication to his community. 

When Ranomafana Lycée (high school) was established in 2013, it was allocated five government-paid teachers but not provided with any infrastructure, leaving the high school students without a proper learning space. This is where SEED has stepped in, constructing a fully furnished three-classroom school site, with two gender-separate latrine blocks, and menstrual hygiene management facilities. While the Lycée is being built, students are attending classes in the local middle school and the mayor’s office but, with the construction on track to be completed by February 2020, the community of Ranomafana is very excited that Lycée students will soon have their own dedicated school site for the first time.

With less than three months until project close, construction is well underway: the foundation is complete, the walls are built, and the roof support has been installed. The installation of the roof has been particularly exciting for teachers, parents, and students alike because, in the Anosy region of Madagascar, Malagasy people refer to buildings without roofs as zebu (cattle) houses. When the roof support was installed the community remarked that “the building is no longer a zebu house, it is now a real school”.

During the remaining months, the construction team will render the floors, complete the veranda, and install windows, doors, and blackboards, finalizing it with a fresh coat of paint. We look forward to seeing the final elements of construction come together over the coming months, and moving the 245 enrolled students at the Lycée into their new school building.