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Amazing success for Mahatsara Students in 2012. Amongst
top in region ! |
Who we are
Rose Madagascar is a small, volunteer-run group that is
committed to improving access to education in rural Madagascar. While our Canadian
Board is based in Western Canada, the heart and soul of our work lies in the
hands of our Malagasy partners who work tirelessly to improve the quality of
life in rural Madagascar.
Mahatsara
Rural Education Initiative
Our main project, the
Mahatsara Rural Education Initiative, is located in Tsarahonenana, Madagascar.
The vision for Mahatsara came from a group of community members who saw a need
for education development in their village.
In English, Mahatsara
literally means ‘getting better’, or ‘improving’ and that is exactly what the
project aims to do. Having recognized a deficiency in early childhood
education, environmental awareness, nutrition, and literacy, Rose Madagascar
teamed up with Mahatsara to start a school in their village. The school is the
first project of many in a 10 year plan that will concentrate on improving the
quality of life in rural Madagascar.
Our Objectives
- To reach out to individuals and
communities facing adversity.
- To empower individuals and
communities to improve their quality of life from within.
- To provide children and adults
with access to academic and vocational training to improve the standard of
living.
- To encourage sustainable and
holistic development through programs that consider the environment,
health, education, and social well-being of communities as fundamental
principles guiding development.
Mahatsara Projects &
Achievements:
- Quality Education – In addition to providing access to education to
children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend school,
Mahatsara is committed to ensuring that each child receives a quality
education.
News from the 2011-2012 school year – Mahatsara students have had an
amazing year of success. We are very
proud to report that our grade 5 students were ranked amongst the top in the
region this year. The top grade on the National Examination in the Alarobia
region went to one of our students (with six other Mahatsara students scoring
in the top 10).
In addition, all 27 Mahatsara grade 9 students passed the
difficult National Exam to receive their diplomas (we are still awaiting the
regional results to see where the students rank).
- Community Garden Project – The school has a series of community garden plots
that are cultivated by parents, students, and other community members. A
portion of the harvest from each garden plot is contributed to the
Mahatsara nutrition program.
- Nutrition Program – The nutrition program provides lunch to
students in an effort to ensure that each child receives at least one
healthy meal per day. Parents volunteer at the program on a daily basis and
students take turns bringing firewood for cooking from home each day.
- The Mahatsara Parent’s Association – The Mahatsara Parent’s
Association is the driving force behind the project and the school. While
the parents of Mahatsara do not always have the ability to contribute
financially to their children’s education, they contribute in many other
resourceful and much needed ways.
- Community Library – The school has a library with a small
collection of books and educational resources. Books are very expensive in
Madagascar
so virtually all of the books have been donated by international
volunteers.
- Sports Programs – The School is engaged in a variety of sports
teams and programs. In 2011, the Mahatsara basketball team made it to the
regional finals.
- Health Education – Throughout the years Mahatsara has organized
community health education sessions at the request of community members.
Some of the topics that have been covered include: sex education,
nutrition training, and training on the hazards of cooking on a fire
indoors.
- The Mahatsara Store – The Mahatsara store sells school supplies and
other small items to community members who can afford them. All proceeds
are put back into the project.
- Field Trips – The school has taken students on several field trips
in the surrounding area. Among the most significant field trips has been a
trip to the capital of Madagascar,
Antananarivo
through which older students at the school had the opportunity to see the
capital and to tour the University. For most students, this was their
first trip to Antananarivo.
As the 2012 school year enters its final months, it’s time for Rose Charities Sri Lanka to begin implementing its K2K (Kid to Kid) or JET Scholarship Program for the 2013 school year. So far, 16 students from the Natpiddimunai, Annamalai, and Pandirupu areas have been identified as needing special help and support. These 16 students, ages 6-15, come from families which have been severely affected by tsunami, war, or other hardships. All are missing at least one parent, and all face great obstacles to receiving the basic necessity of a proper education.
great empowerment and success that can be attained with a quality education. He also stressed accountability for both students and parents in keeping Rose Charities up-to-date so that it can provide continued support, and in ensuring that the funds donated to the K2K program are making a real and lasting impact on children’s lives.
