A boarding school in Befoza, Madagascar

New aid for Malagasy children

Owing to the largely insufficient implementation of children’s rights in Madagascar, the country’s children are confronted with poverty on a daily basis. The situation has been aggravated by the political crisis triggered in 2009 by a coup d’état, the consequences of which continue to weigh on the population. It is against this backdrop that Madagascan children and their families must live, or rather, survive. The percentage of the population living under the poverty line has risen sharply, from 81% in 2012 to 92% – or nine Madagascans out of ten – today. The worsening socio-economic environment has placed children in a situation of critical deprivation and violated their fundamental rights through the lack of access to food, education and healthcare.

In 2013, the Manao organization called on the Wavestone Foundation to build a boarding school with a capacity for up to 50 children and composed of one storey with showers, an infirmary and a dorm separated into areas for boys and girls. The main building was completed at the end of March 2014 and took in 30 children in autumn 2014. The boarding school was inaugurated on May 3, 2014.

In 2015, Manao called once again on the Wavestone Foundation to build a dorm for 20 girls and a study/activity room on the Befoza site. The aim of the project is to provide better accommodation conditions and facilitate the schooling of children in a better adapted environment. The new space will include a study room for children lacking an area in which to do their homework. A small room referred to as the “parlor” will be used for family meetings, reception, and meetings with people in difficulties. The shell construction was completed in late-August 2015.

The main building was completed at the end of March 2014 and took in 30 children in autumn 2014.