The children of the little village called Andalamengoke, which is nearby Zombitse, have always dreamt of being able to one day attend a school. For most parents however, this was not as important. Fortunately, since September 2003, the children’s dream has partly become reality. Not only did we deal with bureaucratic formalities in order to be able to realize this dream; but we also had to convince the parents that it was vital for their children to be able to do and know more than simply animal husbandry or helping out on the fields for them to be able to lead a more unconstrained life.

At the beginning, there were about 70 children between 5 and 14 years who for the first time in their lives were learning how to read and write. The lessons were partly held outside, partly in a house that was provided by some parents – which however is merely 3x3m “big”, and needs to be utilized for storage during the harvest period.

One teacher has been recruited, who however is currently working without receiving pay. Instead, she is given the essentials to live, which the village population provides out of its own scarce supplies and resources. In the meantime, a second teacher has been employed. Both now receive very irregular, small “renumerations”, as the bureaucratic way to be “officially” employed remains very lengthy and arduous.

The first attempt to construct a school building was destroyed through a cyclone which brought with it heavy rain. In October 2004 the efforts made turned out successful with the establishment of a small school building.

The completion of the school building was especially joyous for the children; many danced out of happiness. The schooling of basic skills, such as reading, writing, maths, as well as fundamental knowledge and thus comprehension concerning environmental issues (i.e., no trees – no water – no vegetation) is the only possibility to save the children from dropping into criminality or prostitution, and further to rescue the region from complete deforestation in the long term.

The proper education of those children hence becomes the means and assurance to limit the traditional exploitation of the forest (slash and burn) within the next decade and possibly eliminate such practice completely within the subsequent 10 years. The importance was to start somewhere. Time is scarce. Various aid (i.e. in form of ideas, material, or sponsoring) is needed, in order to ensure the persistence and progress of the school.