Let’s Help Our Children

We were approached earlier in 2023 by our “Double Triangular” twin club in Alba, Italy, to ask if we would support the proposed Madagascar “Help Our Children” project.   Alba members had visited a very disadvantaged area of Madagascar, and identified a need for multimedia access and computer technology in the village of Vohimasina, located in the Manakara district.  As a fellow Rotary Club which we knew so well, and which had been very supportive for our own Borewells project, we were delighted to support them with Euro 1,000 donation.
We have recently heard that the project has been successfully completed, and received a report from Maria Carla Mantovani of the Rotary Club of Alba which we summarise below.

Ambitious Project

The project took about two years and involved the setting up of a multimedia classroom at the village through the purchase of laptops (with French keyboard) and software already installed, the upgrading of 2 Kw of the existing photovoltaic panels and related batteries; and finally, the distance training of teachers by Rotary members.  
The ambitious project, organized by Past President Paolo Fortuna, required the cooperation of the entire club of Alba and the help of other clubs, Cuneo (IT), Ovada (IT), Beausoleil (France), Billericay (UK), Sant Cugat (Spain) and Basildon (UK). Fundamental was the generous contribution from District 2032, in Remo Gattiglia’s year.

As the area is plagued by heavy flooding, it was  necessary to purchase a watertight cabinet where laptops could be safely stored, even from theft, once classes were over.  There was already Internet access, but the multimedia classroom was needed to make up for the lack of computer equipment in village schools.  The classroom will also have the very important purpose of allowing the Internet to be used for many areas of study: in fact, not having books, the Web constitutes a fundamental source of information, thanks to popular sites and online encyclopedias.

A Key Partner

The Zanantsika Association, which has been active in Madagascar since 2005, has worked hard to develop and implement the project: as of today it welcomes more than 3,100 boys and girls in fourteen different villages in its schools, which range from kindergarten to middle school, and employs about one hundred teachers.
In addition to the schools, Zanantsika has opened a health center, houses particularly disadvantaged children in a family home, and develops agricultural, sewing, handicraft and adult literacy programs. Over the years, it has completed numerous projects and improved the lives of many children, including through distance support: it has been a key partner in this service.

Difficult Deliveries

The project was not easy: first, there had to be certainty that the materials shipped would reach their destination. In the past in Madagascar there had been numerous problems, especially in customs, but the experience of the Association, which for years has been constantly sending supplies (materials, medicines, and food) through a specialized freight forwarder, was a great help.

In reality, there were unfortunately still major problems in clearing the goods through customs: in particular, in explaining why the shipment of electrical materials was being sent and in providing numerous details about the goods involved. Customs clearance took almost a month.

The transport to the village was also difficult due to heavy rain and very muddy roads, almost impracticable. Setting up the classroom took months, including securing it from theft and mounting the photovoltaic panel. Fortunately, once everything was set up, the internet connection alloweed Alba members to start the distance training of the teachers, which enabled proper use of the preinstalled programs and internet browsing.

Great Enthusiasm

In mid-February 2025, the first classes were held. The students responded with great enthusiasm.
The project will obviously not end in one year, but may have a major impact in the years to come. The ultimate goal is to provide students with IT skills that can be spent in the work environment once they finish school.

Well Done Rotary Club Alba!  With this sustainable project, it has put an important building block in the training and education of these children.