Key to the Future

IN A REMOTE corner of eastern Madagascar, a remarkable story of hope and determination is taking shape. The village of Andoharanovelona, situated approximately 170 kilometres from the capital Antananarivo, and 33 kilometres from the eastern regional hub of Moramanga, has long suffered from a critical lack of educational infrastructure. Until recently, hundreds of children in this rural area were excluded from schooling due to poverty, distance, and the absence of adequate facilities.

“The isolation here is not only geographical, but also educational,” explains Bishop Rosario Vella, the Salesian missionary who has spent over four decades serving in Madagascar, and currently oversees the Diocese of Moramanga. Under his guidance, an ambitious project was launched to construct a school in Andoharanovelona, a newly established mission district entrusted to the Montfort Fathers, a Roman Catholic missionary congregation founded in 1705 in Poitiers, France by Saint Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort. Their mission focuses on evangelisation and education, particularly in underserved communities around the world. In Madagascar, they play a vital role in pastoral care and development projects.

Education needed

Madagascar ranks among the world’s poorest countries, with vast disparities between urban centres and rural communities. In the Moramanga region, most inhabitants rely on subsistence agriculture, and many families live below the poverty line. Public infrastructure is limited, and access to healthcare, clean water, and education remains precarious. According to government statistics, school enrolment rates across Madagascar are around 64 percent, with significant dropouts at both primary and secondary levels.

Social challenges further complicate the picture. A high percentage of families are fragmented, with many children raised by single mothers or grandparents. “Fifty-five percent of households in our region lack stable family structures,” notes Bishop Vella. “This has deep consequences for the moral and intellectual development of our youth.”

In response to these conditions, the Catholic Church has played a vital role in supporting education through both formal schools and literacy programs. The diocese has sought to bring educational opportunities to even the most remote communities.

This particular school construction project, spearheaded by the diocese under the leadership of Bishop Vella, was coordinated on the ground by Father Erick Ratsarandro, diocesan bursar. The total cost of the project was estimated at €83,253, covering the construction of eight classrooms and furnishing needs. Funding of €48,253 was secured through local efforts and the Salesian network, including €10,710 specifically earmarked for classroom furniture. St. Anthony’s Charities contributed €35,000 toward the initiative.

Transformative anchor

The new school was envisioned as a transformative anchor for Andoharanovelona and the surrounding villages, which collectively have hundreds of children without access to schooling. “Initially we anticipated 350 students,” says Fr. Erick, “but the real demand is even greater.”

In close collaboration with local families, who contributed labor and materials such as sand and stones, the project emphasized community ownership. A local parents’ group – ‘Vondron’ny Ray aman-dReny Mpianatra’ in the local language, Malagasy, which in English means ‘Association of Parents of Pupils’ – committed to supporting teachers through in-kind contributions like rice and beans, while the diocese supplements housing and salaries for educators.

Construction began in earnest after the first tranche of funding was received in July 2024. The initial phase focused on foundational work, including terracing, drainage, and the elevation of the building’s walls. At the time, children were still studying in temporary straw shelters, which offered no protection from the rain. As the school year approached, efforts were made to make several classrooms functional, even while exterior work continued.

Progress during this period was hindered by heavy rainfall from July through August, which rendered roads impassable and delayed deliveries of materials. To maintain momentum, workers turned their attention to interior finishing on the ground floor and built protective shelters for supplies.

A second tranche of €20,000 was received in November 2024, funding the final phase of the project. This included the installation of the metal roof structure, protective grilles, doors, windows, plastering and painting. Seasonal rains continued to pose difficulties, and government roadworks on a nearby bridge temporarily halted the transport of essential materials.

Despite these setbacks, construction was completed by the end of January 2025. The building now includes eight classrooms, a small library, and administrative spaces, all constructed with durable materials designed to withstand the local climate.

Big classrooms

With the doors officially open, the school is now serving over 550 children. Students are seated at sturdy desks instead of on the ground, learning to read, write, and dream of a better future. “Our school is solid, and the classroom is big,” says 8-year-old Sambatra, one of the new pupils. “Now even my brother can come to school.”

“I’m so happy to go to school in this new building,” says Felana, a 7-year-old boy at the school. “I love learning to read and write. I have fun with my classmates, and I promise to work hard and do well at the end of the school year.”

“I am no longer sitting on the floor,” adds Anjatiaina, a 7-year-old classmate of Felana. “Now we have chairs and desks. I will study hard to make my parents proud.”

The impact extends beyond the students. Parents benefit from educational workshops, and the school also supports parents through periodic sessions on family and life education. The Franciscan Sisters of Notre Dame, already present in the district, help oversee the school’s daily operations and support its educational mission alongside the parish community.

Sister Emma Ralantoharisoa, the school’s director, emphasises the broader vision: “Education is a top priority for our diocese. We all work together – clergy and laypeople alike – to promote learning because we believe it is the key to a better future. We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make this school a reality.”

“Thanks to the generosity of St. Anthony’s Charities and the readers of the Messenger of St. Anthony, the school of Saint Anthony of Padua is now complete,” concludes Bishop Vella. “Most of our students come from conditions of extreme poverty, but they are eager to learn. Your support has given them that chance. Your help has allowed us to bring hope where there was none. We pray that our partnership continues, so that no child in Madagascar is left behind.”