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Miala tsiny fa tsy mbola misy amin’ny teny malagasy ity lahatsoratra ity.
A NEW dormitory for boys who are unable to live with their families is set to be officially opened next Wednesday, 18 June.
The construction of the new boys’ dormitory at the AAB centre began on 27 December 2024, and last Friday, 6 June, received technical pre-acceptance following an inspection by officials from the Federation of Protestant Churches in Madagascar (which owns the centre), the AAB director and staff, teams from UPBAT Mada, which constructed the building, and from Money for Madagascar.
The final acceptance of the 18.5m x 9m x 2.7m, eight room building, which can accommodate 48 children, is scheduled to take place on Monday 16 June, and the dormitory will officially open on Wednesday 18th.
The Akany Avoko Bevalala (AAB) centre provides shelter, food, mental and physical healthcare (including dental care), education and vocational training to boys and young men aged 8-18 who cannot live with their families, as well as providing them with the care and attention they need and deserve.
Its new dormitory has been built following a fire which gutted the previous sleeping-quarters, which housed 34 boys, was destroyed by fire on Friday 20th September 2024.
Nobody was injured – fortunately, all the boys were at school at the time – and staff, quickly joined by other community members and firefighters, put the blaze out before it spread.
But the dormitory was ruined, and the 34 boys were displaced. Fourteen were placed with foster families, or, where possible, returned to stay with relatives. Twenty were staying at the site’s old dormitory, a total which rose to 26 when some of the 14 had to return.
The building is still being finished, as tiling and painting have not yet taken place, but Patrick, a beneficiary of the centre, said:
‘This building is more beautiful than the one that was ravaged by the fire. More space, well ventilated, tiled. What we need to put in it are: bunk beds, storage cupboards for clothes, shoes and school supplies, and also tables and chairs so we can study there, as well as light.
‘We thank from the bottom of our hearts all the donors and financiers and all the people who participated in the construction of this new dormitory for our well-being.’
