Tuesday, 31 January 2017

ALABRI - an educational project in Miarinarivo


by Daniel

We have spent our first and our last days in the rural highland town of Miarinarivo where we had the honor to gain some insight into an outstanding educational project called ALABRI. Of course, it was not chance that brought us there but my cousin Magdalena, who works there as a volunteer. There were some other international volunteers and them and the German manager of this project gave us a warm welcome. While they continued their work we had time to explore the project a little bit.

The focus of this educational project is opportunity building for disadvantaged children. They are mostly from poor families from far away villages and with ALABRI they have the opportunity to access a broad array of academic and educational courses. Of course, they go to school where they will get their degrees, but when you realize that most public school French teachers in Madagascar have difficulties speaking French then this project’s work seems even more important.

Other areas include nature, sciences, communication, computer science, value learning, etc… Unlike many other parts of the world all the kids here enjoyed learning and were highly motivated.

We also stayed for christmas where we enjoyed a very special christmas celebration with all the children and many adults from the town and its surrounding villages and, after the kids had left for holidays, a quiet christmas celebration with the volunteers. We all took to cooking together and eventually dished up a nice swabian meal of Kaesspaetzle and warm potato salad.

Although work could at times get tough for my cousin Magdalena she was always there for us and what had been a somewhat loose relationship within my family turned into a real mutual friendship – many thanks, Magdalena!!!

PS: Please contribute to this outstanding non-profit organization. You can find more infos on www.alabri.net

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