Children's Island
It is in the district of Anosibe, in Antananarivo, that the association Île aux Enfants has chosen to build its school for a solidarity education. A neighborhood where three quarters of children under 12 do not go to school.
The project to create a school in Ivolaniray was born from an idea of Dieudonné Rakotondravola, who was a teacher in the Comoros and Mayotte. Originally from the Anosibe district, he had always wanted to build a school there for needy children, a dream he was never able to achieve because he died in July 2008. In tribute to his father, Andry Rakotondravola then decided to materialize the project. This is how he met Éric Hanron, the current president of Île aux enfants.
This young teacher who for eleven years has multiplied the missions between Mayotte and Madagascar has himself at heart to set up an associative school on the big island. “Andry had the premises, but he is not an education professional, unlike me who is able to provide the method. Our collaboration led to the creation of Île aux enfants and its solidarity education project,” explains Éric Hanron.
Why an associative school in Anosibe - Madagascar?
Two main reasons for this. First of all, the land was already available in Anosibe thanks to the generosity of one of his Malagasy friends. He had met her when he was working as a teacher in Mayotte. When Eric arrived in Madagascar to be an educational supervisor, he confided to his friend his desire to open an associative school. The latter tells him that his father had had the same intentions, but that he was not finished. All that remained was to take control of the site.
Secondly, Anosibe is one of the districts of Antananarivo that most needs a school with a social vocation. It is one of the poorest places in Antananarivo. This is quite disturbing insofar as it is also a nerve center of the capital. The Anosibe market is one of the largest markets in Madagascar.
Unfortunately, the colossal sums generated there daily are only passing through. The neighborhood benefits very little. At the same time, it promotes small trades such as carriers, handlers, water diggers, etc.
Paradoxically, it is this large market that maintains precariousness and misery in the neighborhood. As it grows, the small, wild constructions that swarm around the market also proliferate like a cancer. The inhabitants do not hesitate to build without any authorization, in the middle of the swamps, small wooden houses. If there is no firm ground, they build on stilts. It is clear that the possibilities of setting up a correct sanitary infrastructure are difficult. Ditto with regard to access to drinking water and electricity.
The support offered by the associative school
The Cavity-Free Smile project is just one part of all that L’île aux enfants has to offer its students on a daily basis.
With regard to school equipment, for example, absolutely everything is provided by the associative school. School books are also available on site as well as all the equipment for practical work and extracurricular activities such as sports and gardening.
The school has also set up a support program for those who find it difficult to keep up with their classmates and thus avoid, at least as much as possible, repeating a year and dropping out of school.
It is important that a child eats enough so that he can concentrate on his studies. It is also likely that given the situation of their parents, very few of them are entitled to three meals a day. This is why there is an associative school and a canteen there. Breakfast and lunch are offered to all children attending school. The primaries do not have class in the afternoons, but they have lunch first before returning home.
The distribution of clothes for children is also on the program. In each class there is a closet where each student is entitled to a small locker where clean clothes are stored.
The infirmary provides healing for physical ailments, but also a space where the child can talk openly about whatever is tormenting them. In addition to treating minor injuries, the infirmary also acts as a relay for the most serious cases. For example, it helps parents to orient themselves towards certain hospitals or charities which will be better able to take care of them.
The goal is not just to treat children, but above all to keep them healthy. This is why medical visits are scheduled throughout the school year to allow proper follow-up and to avoid possible illnesses or complications.
More than an associative school
The associative school does not only work with the children who are educated there. Parents are also involved. Although they do not pay much in the end, it is still important that they get involved in the school life of their children. The goal is to empower them. For example, they have to clean up at school on Friday afternoons. They must also participate in some small work at the associative school. There are practical works that require their presence, such as the setting up of vegetable gardens.
The director also hopes that in the near future he will be able to open a training workshop for parents. Thus, they will have a better chance of finding a better job to support their families.
A boarding project for students, especially for young girls, is in preparation. It is clear that in this underprivileged neighborhood, they are more vulnerable, especially with regard to the risk of rape or prostitution.
For older students, the associative school goes up a notch in 2017 by opening two 6th grade classes. This decision was taken after the excellent result she had at the CEPE of the same year. 75% of students have obtained their school certificates, which is well above the average for the district. At this rate, Eric is very confident about opening a high school in a few years.
Outside the walls of the school, there are also concrete actions towards the population of the district. I already told you a little above about the gateways which is an excellent initiative. Unfortunately, the fokontany did not see fit to maintain them. The associative school also distributes clothes to people in the neighborhood and organizes awareness workshops related to health, sanitation and the world of education. It also serves as a relay for sick children who are not enrolled in L’île aux enfants. Another concrete example, the associative school recently distributed clothes and toys to the Tsaralalana hospital with members of the Round Table (including Stileex) as shown by its news in social networks.
Dedicated partners
You have probably understood, it is not the 1000 Ar that parents pay each month that allows L’Ile aux enfants to realize all these projects. At the moment, the school essentially survives thanks to three types of funding.
There are those it obtains thanks to calls for projects launched by state bodies or donors. There is also funding provided by various partners such as foundations, associations and local businesses. Finally, there are the funds provided by the sponsors of each child.
Source : No Comment
Source : stileex.xyz
Le Regard d'Anna partner of Children's Island
For several years, Le Regard d’Anna has borne the operating costs of two kindergarten classes (28 pupils in 2022) for a budget of €10,000/year. The school’s overall operating budget is distributed in proportion to the number of students enrolled in the two classes.
1. Educate
School and pedagogical supplies/teacher supplies/Activities
Salaries + Charges
*1 teacher
*1 childminder
2. Feed
Canteen/kitchen equipment
Salaries + Charges
*3 cookers
Meal + snack (38 weeks of canteen)
3. Heal
Civil insurance/Family mutual insurance/Vaccination campaign/Dentists…
Care, hospitalization, medication, hygiene…
Salaries + Charges
*1 educator/nurse
4. Manage and Maintain
buildings + toilets + furniture
Salaries + charges: Maintenance team
*3 housekeepers
*2 maintenance men
Salaries + charges: Administrative team
*1 director + 1 executive assistant
*1 site coordinator
