In Madagascar, public education is inadequate, and it is difficult for many parents to enroll their children in school because of the cost and access. The Madagascar School Project aims to make education more accessible to children in the large, island country in southeastern Africa.
The project was founded in 2008 by Kathy Lucking, a teacher in Maxville. Since that time, it has constructed and operates two schools in Madagascar. Kinnon Lajoie of Alexandria spent from September to December in 2023 in Madagascar working in the gardens of the Sekoly Tenaquip school.
Lajoie’s love of gardening comes naturally. She also works for organic produce grower Peggy McDonald near Vankleek Hill. During Lajoie’s time in Madagascar, she also guided a visit of students and teachers from Switzerland who had come to work in the school’s gardens.
Lajoie said that because a good quality education is difficult to acquire in Madagascar, the children sincerely appreciate being able to attend school.
“There’s a joy of going to school,” Lajoie said.
At the Madagascar School Project schools, if a family cannot afford to send their children to school, accommodations are made to admit students and not deny them an education. Fundraising is crucial to offsetting operational costs, paying for supplies, and teacher salaries. On Saturday, May 11, from 6 pm to 9 pm, a fundraising dinner for the Madagascar School Project will take place at the Maxville and District Sports Complex. Tickets are $60 per person. For more information about the Madagascar School Project and to purchase a ticket for the fundraising dinner, go to https://www.madagascarschoolproject.com/.
