t was the start of the new school year 2024/2025 this week. Or as they say here, ‘La Rentrée’. It consisted of the usual clean-up and organisation of classrooms. This year, we’ll have the complete pre-school program from 3 – 6 years. We are still short of one classroom as the new one does not seem to get past the foundation phase. The teachers organized themselves to allow for this and we trust that we’ll be up and running by December.
The first day delivered the usual challenges; parents who still hope for a place for their child, not enough desks, a new teacher who has to find her feet and some of the little ones who cried non-stop in response to their new environment.
I struggle with the conditions at school. The fact that we have no municipal water and that the neighbours ask a lot of money for one container of water from their well. The urgent need for a fence as the community continue to walk through the school grounds or simply use it as they wish. We cannot leave anything outside, because it gets stolen, nor can we start any form of gardening or improving the area, because the goats and chickens destroy it all.
I always have to remind myself that we are making progress. The happy faces of the children said it all. They don’t seem to care about the things that trouble me. Coming to school is more important.
Ready for school!
Clarisse’s group took no time at all to get going.
My quad is looking more and more Malagasy as there is always place for one more thing. Keeping the water canister in place while driving was a challenge.
We are also planning a visit to Lovako school in Russian Bay. We have a new teacher there and Euphrasie and I need to put things in place for the new school year. Please pray for all that needs to be done. We are excited about the new school year and what God will do in the hearts of the children and the teachers.
Have a good week!