In Madagascar, the Daughters of Charity have been present in Fianarantsoa (which means ‘where one learns to do good’ or ‘who imitates well’) since 1950. This city is home to numerous schools, universities and seminaries. The sisters run a care centre for children and young people with learning disabilities, a small school for poor children, and they are responsible for pastoral care in a parish.

In rural areas, out in the bush, there are no secondary schools, so young people have to move to the city. But for a family living in poverty, sending their daughter to secondary school or a vocational training course in the city of Fianarantsoa presents a considerable obstacle: they need to be able to pay for her accommodation and find her a place where she can live safely. 

For several years now, the community of sisters has also been providing accommodation in one of its houses for poor girls from the bush who wish to continue their education in Fianarantsoa but whose parents cannot afford to send them to a boarding school. They can stay there at a cost tailored to their circumstances.
The number of beneficiaries varies from year to year. There are currently three. The facility has capacity for ten girls. 

Whilst there, they receive support with their day-to-day lives. They follow a set routine, meet weekly with Sr Marie-Louise, the person in charge, and prepare meals together. At the start of each term following the holidays, each resident is required to contribute local produce. 

House at risk

However, the building that houses them is no longer able to ensure their safety under satisfactory conditions.

A burglary took place overnight for the first time… The boundary walls are too low and do not provide sufficient protection for the house: people climbed over them and stole items from the kitchen. Since then, the young girls and the sisters looking after them have been living in fear that intruders might one day gain direct access to their bedrooms.

The house itself has fallen into disrepair and is in need of repairs. When it rains, water seeps in through several places due to damaged metal roofing. Some walls are cracked and are deteriorating as a result of damp. The metal staircase leading to the first floor is also damaged and poses a hazard.

“So it’s not simply a matter of making the home more comfortable, but of providing a place that is truly safe. Insecurity and theft are rife. We are responsible for these young girls!” Sr Marie Clarisse

The project: to renovate and make the house where the young girls live safer

The works will:

- reinforce and raise the boundary walls, and install barbed wire to reduce the risk of intrusion 

- repair the areas damaged by rainwater ingress: cracked and dirty walls, particularly in one of the bedrooms and the kitchen, damaged roof sheets, veranda* pillars... 

- make the metal staircase leading to the upper floor safer.

“Our accommodation can make all the difference: without this opportunity, continuing their studies in the city would often be out of reach. The aim is for them to be able to continue their education at sixth form college or on a vocational course, achieve good results and, after around three years, go on to gain their A-levels or a vocational qualification. 
This work will make a tangible contribution to keeping the doors of education open for these young girls.” Sr Marie Clarisse

With them, thanks to you

* Varangue: an open, shaded veranda or porch, situated at the front or on the ground floor of Creole houses (particularly in Réunion, Mauritius and Madagascar).

If the project raises more than its goal, any excess funds received will be allocated to a similar project.