Help Create a Quality School for Children in Africa

If you are reading this, you know that our schools offer us a world of possibilities. While we enjoy the privilege of quality education, many children in Africa wish for the same opportunity.

Falimanana (Fafah) was one of those children. She was born and raised in Manjakandrinana, a small town in Madagascar. She walked to school barefoot for a half hour to get to her public primary school. When her school closed because of a general strike, her parents sent her and her 5 siblings to a private school, despite the fact that they were very poor. Her walk then doubled - an hour each way, barefoot. Even though the walk was long and her feet were sore, her mind was open and her heart was grateful. Having experienced the contrast between private and public schools firsthand, Fafah’s dream was that all children in Madagascar have access to quality education.

Fafah was the only child in her family to go to college. After working as a teacher and a teacher trainer for several years, in 2019 she opened the doors of Sunrise Academy in the city of Moramanga, 40 miles from her hometown. It’s a non-profit school; the tuition is just enough to keep the school running. They have 358 students: 12 of whom study for free, and 21 pay only 40%. They have 14 full-time teachers and many other part-time teachers.

Sunrise Academy, the only English medium school in the area, integrates Western educational theories and strategies. Fafah’s initiative to start an affordable English medium school in her small city is truly inspiring. By providing an English education, she’s leveling the playing field for children in her community, giving them the same opportunities that students in larger cities or countries have. This opens doors to better jobs, higher wages, and broader connections, both locally and internationally. Africa is the most linguistically diverse continent in the world, with English being the common thread. English proficiency gives students access to resources and opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach. A student from Sunrise Academy may one day discover a cancer cure from a plant native to Madagascar or develop a more efficient sustainable recycling method, thanks to the resources accessed through an English education. In our interconnected world, the success of a child in Africa not only empowers them locally but also resonates globally, potentially benefiting our planet and enriching our lives.

Learning English can also support the preservation of indigenous African languages by fostering bilingualism, increasing awareness of linguistic heritage, and providing access to resources for language documentation. It can facilitate cultural exchange and make it possible for Africans to share their cultures and languages with the world. Sunrise Academy is making a difference in the world by promoting cultural exchange, preserving native languages, and, above all, offering children countless opportunities.

I will be volunteering at Sunrise Academy this summer and staying with Fafah and her family. For the past few months, I've been fortunate to get to know Fafah, whose dedication, kindness, intelligence and humor shine through the wifi lines. Fafah's belief in the power of education to help children live better lives and also help her country progress has inspired me to launch my first GoFundMe.

I know from my communication with Fafah, and from her past Peace Corps volunteer, that in addition to being an excellent teacher and kind, generous human being, Fafah is a very competent money and project manager. Rest assured any money raised will be spent wisely.

I am funding my trip and volunteering my time teaching and training. 100% of your donations will go directly to help Sunrise Academy:

*Build four new classrooms; they are in urgent need.

*Provide educational resources: equipping classrooms with textbooks, stationery, and learning materials.

*Support teachers: creating a better teacher/student ratio, offering professional development opportunities for teachers, providing them with the tools and training they need to deliver high-quality education.

*Expand access: extending their generous scholarship program that allows students to attend for free/reduced fees.

No donation is too small. Together, we can make a difference. Thank you!