At the beginning of the 2005-06 school year students help renovate the school. Floor, windows and doors hadn't been finished in the previous year because there wasn't enough money available.

Our friend Stéphane from Tulear came to give us a hand to motivate students and teachers. Being a skilled juggler he performed for the students and parents and showed his tricks. He promised to come back to organize a theatre group for the students. The plays will help to explain dangers and consequences of the traditional burning of the forest to the actors and the audience.

Motivation of students (and parents) is our most challenging task, as working on the fields is their priority. The students are convinced that the purpose of school is to learn the basics of reading and writing. In general, that's why the students leave the school after one or two years, in full agreement with their parents.

That belief doesn't make our work easy, but the renovation of the school (floors finished, windows and doors installed, benches in the room) made some parents think … … a success we clearly noticed at the beginning of the 2005-06 school year.