‘Education for Life has truly transformed our school, both in terms of the quality of teaching and the school environment, and the professional development of staff.’
Solofo Manitriniaina, director, Ambohijafy II primary school
In this year’s Big Give, your amazing donations, combined with the generosity of our pre-pledgers, and our champion fundraiser the Coles-Medlock Foundation, has delivered us £101,602 for the Malagasy communities with which we work.
This extraordinary amount, for which we thank you so much, will all be used in our Children for the Future and Education for Life programmes.
These provide shelter, clothing, food, and healthcare to Malagasy children unable to live with their families, and provide access to the highest possible standard of education to all, as well as helping children and adults fulfil their potential.
As an example of how our work is making a measurable, extremely positive, impact, we want to introduce Solofo Manitriniaina, the director of the Ambohijafy II primary school, which has 490 pupils and 11 teachers.
‘I have been running this school since 2016. The 2025-2026 school year is our third year as part of the “Education for Life” programme, and I can say its presence and projects have led to considerable progress in all aspects of school life.’
With our implementing partner Association Voahary Maitso (AVM), our activities with the school include:
a school canteen, open twice a week during the lean season (September, October and November), provides relief for parents and helps children concentrate better in class. Previously, students participated little and teachers struggled to finish their lessons because hunger greatly disrupted the children’s attention and focus
educational support for teachers, including books and learning tools. In the past, materials were inadequate and teachers had to improvise to convey concepts. Today, teachers and students can engage with abstract or complex concepts more easily, using these resources. For example, in geography, a globe helps them to more easily visualise places
worm composting, which produces compost for the school vegetable garden. The garden supplies the cafeteria and generates income for the school when the cafeteria is closed, thanks to the fertility of the enriched soil
Improving water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure: installing a water point for the school, distributing hygiene kits to 7th grade girls (sanitary pads, toothbrushes, toothpaste), and raising awareness among all students about good hygiene practices, including washing hands with soap at key times
The provision of a well-stocked library, accessible to students, parents, and teachers
Support for parents, through the distribution of seeds and agricultural equipment, to improve their daily lives. Around 80 per cent of parents are vulnerable and receive support enabling them to continue sending their children to school
Literacy classes for parents, so that they can follow their children’s learning at home. This also enables them to learn to read and write, contributing to their personal development
Solar libraries, installed starting in April 2025, offer parents and the entire community access to clean energy through the rental of solar lamps at very low prices. In the past, children were unable to study in the evenings due to the lack of electricity. Now, with a solar lamp in every home, they can do their homework and study their lessons in peace. The school currently has 260 subscribers
Access to electricity is also beneficial for the school, as renting out lamps (200 ariary per day) generates income for the school, with 5 per cent going to the school improvement fund. The first part of this funding was used to repair the fence around the kindergarten playground, which was previously made of wood and had been damaged, and has now been replaced with brickwork.
Annual teacher training has strengthened their skills and is one of the major factors in improving academic results. The CEPE pass rate, which was 87 per cent before AVM’s intervention, is now 100 per cent. This success is attracting more and more students, and there has been no dropout rate: all students continue their education through seventh grade. This year, the school was only able to accept kindergarten students, such is the high demand
AVM also donated fruit trees to the school and helped to beautify its surroundings
Mr Manitriniaina added: ‘Education for Life has truly transformed our school, both in terms of the quality of teaching and the school environment, and the professional development of staff.
‘All these actions converge towards a common goal: to improve the quality of education, academic results, and encourage parents to send their children to school.
‘We hope such initiatives can be extended to all primary schools in Madagascar, particularly public schools, which remain highly vulnerable: lack of equipment, inexperienced teachers, parents living in extremely precarious conditions… these are all major challenges, especially in rural areas.
‘We warmly thank AVM and MfM for their invaluable support. Their intervention has truly transformed EPP Ambohijafy II.’
Our work with Malagasy children is succeeding, and with your generous assistance we can extend and expand it to even more children, and even more Malagasy communities.
Everything you have done will help Malagasy young people and their wider communities now and for many years to come.
Malagasy
Cymraeg
Français
educational support for teachers, including books and learning tools. In the past, materials were inadequate and teachers had to improvise to convey concepts. Today, teachers and students can engage with abstract or complex concepts more easily, using these resources. For example, in geography, a globe helps them to more easily visualise places
Improving water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure: installing a water point for the school, distributing hygiene kits to 7th grade girls (sanitary pads, toothbrushes, toothpaste), and raising awareness among all students about good hygiene practices, including washing hands with soap at key times
Solar libraries, installed starting in April 2025, offer parents and the entire community access to clean energy through the rental of solar lamps at very low prices. In the past, children were unable to study in the evenings due to the lack of electricity. Now, with a solar lamp in every home, they can do their homework and study their lessons in peace. The school currently has 260 subscribers
