Educational Projects — 2019 to Today
Construction starts at Ankazomagnitse School!
In early October 2019, quotations were signed and construction began. During October, an initial site meeting — described as a “courtesy visit” — brought together the Mayor of Érada, the Governor of Androy and the head of the local school district (CISCO), followed by a general meeting with villagers.
A further meeting was held with the permanent representative of the World Food Programme (WFP), while the Regional Directorate of National Education in Ambovombe was invited to support the establishment of a school canteen.
In November, parents began extracting and transporting limestone for the school walls. All the work was achieved by school parents. The limestone served to build the school walls.
Continuation and completion of the work — April to June 2020
Despite the difficult lockdown period and delays caused by drought, construction continued. The interior fit-out, teaching platform, blackboard, tables, benches and teacher’s desk were completed in time for the 2020/2021 school year.
Construction starts at Bélitsake!
Construction of the second school in Bélitsake began in May 2021. Following the design phase, a new canteen and interior fit-out were added to the construction scope. Parents from the local public primary school were actively involved.
After six months of work, the school and canteen were completed, providing more than 300 pupils with a permanent structure and significantly improved learning conditions. The Ankazomagnitse and Bélitsake schools were officially inaugurated on 22 December 2021.
Staff accommodation for school headteachers
To help reduce absenteeism among teachers and pupils, MétisMalagasy decided to build one staff accommodation unit at each school. Agreements with both headteachers specify that a room may also be made available to teachers experiencing transport difficulties, or to pupils when necessary.
Summary:
Agreement and procedure signed on 10 October 2022.
Funds released on 11 October 2022.
Construction started in late October 2022.
·Accommodation units delivered on 21 February 2023 in Bélitsake and 23 February 2023 in Ankazomagnitse, within the allocated budgets.
MIANATRA Project — “Learning”
“USDA Rural Development”
USDA Rural Development provides loans, grants and technical assistance designed to improve quality of life in rural areas. The Mianatra project, led by Global Communities, provides specific support to the public primary school in Ankazomagnitse sponsored by MétisMalagasy.
A nutrition education and food-support campaign has been in place since October 2023 for a three-year period.
The NGO is committed to building a storage facility, while villagers are contributing by building a kitchen and a rainwater collection basin.
After two schools, a dispensary
Following the completion of the two schools, two canteens, sanitation facilities and staff accommodation, the association launched the construction of a local healthcare centre. Authorisation was granted by the Ministry of Health and the Androy regional authorities on 2 February 2022.
The rural healthcare facility is being developed near the first school in Ankazomagnitse and is intended to provide access to healthcare for approximately 22 surrounding hamlets. The planned centre includes seven rooms, including a delivery room, a midwives’ office, a consultation room, a paramedical office and a pharmacy.