A community school for all (children) in Fiarenana

As a reminder: the two Zahana schools were built with the community about ten years ago, one in Fiadanana (translated: ‘where there is peace’) and the other Fiarenana (translated: ‘here we recover’).

The two schools are about 5 kilometers apart from each other. They had a single, modest objective: to provide free education to young children from the two villages. In exchange for sending their children to our schools the parents participate as members in an environmental conservation program consisting of sustained reforestation, the adoption of organic charcoal and the use of improved stoves in their homes.

The age of our students can vary greatly and sometimes exceed 16 years of age or be as young as five years old. This is due to the delay in schooling and often influenced by the possibilities and needs of the parents.

The important focus is that our students get a good basic training and succeed in reading, writing and counting/calculating. Above all this basic education is crucial by empowering them in signing any document after having read and understood the instructions and implications. Far too often in the past people have put their thumbprint on documents (in lieu of a signature) without knowing what they were actually signing. Having the option to ask their kids for help in understanding what they are signing, shows the power and value of education.

At the request of parents, the two schools began to adopt the official school curriculum. This is in addition to our Zahana activities aimed at addressing the harsh conditions of life in rural areas, for example by teaching reforestation, making of improved cookstoves, gardening or making handmade soap.

• To stimulate school attendance and move forward, Zahana plans for the 2024-2025 school year in September to provide the 200 students with school uniforms and work coats for the 5 teachers.
• As a bonus, 200 pairs of sandals will be distributed to the children.
• New approach to set up an improved and bigger vegetable garden project by and for the two Zahana schools is aimed at strengthening the food security of our students, and familiarizing students with a diversified agricultural culture acquired from a young age.
• Organization of a school fair to sell some of the products from the vegetable gardens. 

We know this project is huge. Your donations also help in providing essential schools supplies such as, chairs, tables, notebooks, pencils, erasers, and pens for the new school year.

THE QUALITATIVE LEAP PROVIDED BY ZAHANA’S RECENT WORKSHOPS

The Bongolava Region experienced a heavy rainy season this year (2024) but, paradoxically, this only minimally disrupted the monitoring and strengthening of Zahana's activities in the 4 localities in the area of Tsiroanomandidy, where we operate.

On the contrary, the conditions of the road on several sections, made it impassable for three months. Taking this impediment into consideration, we took advantage of the situation and held three successive workshops with the now called “Committee of Leaders” in the town of Tsiroanomandidy. This was made possible by the reality that they can just walk for a few hours to Tsiroanomandidy, making traveling by car obsolete. The fourth meeting was held in situ, after the weather cleared.

These focused intensive committee meetings made it possible to make a real qualitative leap in what we are undertaking together with the population of the region. Making people leave their homes and focus on the meeting agenda distraction free was also very beneficial for everybody.

Brief reminder of the achievements of the last three months:

Success of “Friday Village Soup” reassured Zahana, the Committee of Leaders and the beneficiary population, that we are still active, despite the weather challenges. (see reports)

Follow up of the Football Tournament: to celebrate Independence Day and to promote sportsmanship among young people: in 2024 children 8-12 years old will compete in 2024. (website)
 
Micro-credit: focusing on financing the duck breeding activities. To avoid untimely requests for microcredit, it was decided to establish a schedule of microcredit requests which must be validated by the committee of leaders first. The schedule’s first draft was validated during the workshop on May 17, 2024 in Tsiroanomandidy. The final version will be shared with each local Zahana members.

A member of the Committee of Leaders is assigned to the position of livestock vaccine dispenser. The training in this area is provided by Donné and the equipment needed is available and ready to be used.

Introduction and adoption of the equipment for drying fruits and vegetables with successful tests. (see dedicated report)

Number of Zahana members in each village
Fiarenana:100
Fiadanana: 300
Analakely: 54
Tsaramandroso: 300

The reforestation component has always been at the heart of the efforts of the Zahana Association. In 2024 the people from all four villages where Zahana is running its activities are involved. The newly set parameters have a bold new objective: Green Villages.

1. The first major decision is the formal establishment of a Committee of (local) leaders responsible for raising awareness, mobilizing, leading and supervising all development activities undertaken locally. This responsibility includes the Zahana Reforestation efforts.
2. The second is we are exploring the possibility to secure a substantial area of land, which will be called ‘Zahana Reforestation Zone’. This larger reforestation area will be maintained mainly by the residents with the supervision of Zahana’s committee of leaders.

This approach to reforestation aims in fostering a new culture or lifestyle that makes reforestation sustainable and future oriented. This is a long-term goal and aims to span from generation to generation.

Education:
Project to renew the school uniform for the students of the two Zahana schools as well as the teachers (aprons, blouses and sandals)