Youth significantly improved language skills

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries started a tutoring program at the Victoire Rasoamanarivo High School in Ankililoaka, Madagascar, in September 2024. Since inception, the program has strengthened the French and English language skills of 60 youth aged 11-17 who were struggling in school and beyond. Two thirds are students from poor families.

Four teachers and four supervisors as well as a full-time supervisor were hired. Through the program, Salesians were also able to purchase equipment such as microphones, loudspeakers, mixers and amplifiers to be used for cultural activities.

Special tee-shirts were made as the official uniform for the students participating in the language groups. The shirts serve as advertising to attract other students. Cultural events in French and English were organized to immerse students in the language and help them not to be afraid of making mistakes. The events, which were also open to the public, took place at both the Victoire Rasoamanarivo High School and at other local schools.

A Salesian explained, “We managed to organize a big cultural event that we invited the authorities from the city of Ankililioaka, parents and students from other schools. It was a great success.”

The school year ended with a recreational event for the program’s teachers and students.

Throughout the year, the students were given monitoring tests and regular assessments to measure their progress, and notable improvement has been reported.

The Salesian added, “We are convinced that this program is a salvation for poor young people who do not have the means to pay for language courses. The school results clearly demonstrate our success. The result of the official state examination at the end of the first secondary cycle was 100%. We are grateful to those who supported this program.”

The Salesians have been in Ankililoaka since 1982. It is a rural city in the south of Madagascar where several ethnic groups live together. Since then, Salesians have opened schools, churches, a radio station and a youth center and have carried out projects that assist youth and families in need.

Salesian missionaries have 11 centers and work in several locations in the country, including the Don Bosco House in Ivato in the outskirts of Antananarivo. Salesians have been in Ankililoaka since 1982. They have constructed schools and churches, as well as a youth center. They are working to ensure quality education and make sure no student is left behind.

Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world. Seventy percent of Madagascar’s almost 19 million people live in poverty with 5.7 million of those youth between the ages of 10-24, according to UNICEF. This number is expected to double in 2025.

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Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

ANS – Madagascar – No student is left behind in Ankililoaka

Salesian Missions – Madagascar

UNICEF – Madagascar