WeWard was present at the inauguration of the new Belambo school!

The beginnings of resilience: How did this mobilization take shape?

Nearly two years ago, in January 2022, a powerful cyclone devastated almost the entire Belambo School, located in the heart of Madagascar. This school had already been destroyed by cyclones in the span of five years.
Amidst this despair, there was a glimmer of hope. The Secours Populaire Français (SPF) has been involved in humanitarian projects in Madagascar for over 50 years, working in collaboration with the Fifanampiana Malagasy. (FIFA)
WeWard has joined this great team to help children affected by the disaster.

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The solid partnership between WeWard, Secours Populaire and FIFA

The Malagasy Fifanampiana School in Belambo was officially inaugurated on Friday, September 29th, with a star-studded guest list! The Minister of Water, Hygiene, and Sanitation, the Governor of the Sava region, the District Deputy of Andapa, the Mayor of Belambo, the President of the local chapter of the Malagasy Fifanampiana, the National President of the Malagasy Fifanampiana, the National Secretary and General Director of the French Popular Relief, the school's director and teachers, parents, and students were all in attendance. WeWard was represented by its VP of Operations, Justine Roditis.

“This event is a major achievement for WeWard. With millions of wards raised in just a few weeks, this is one of our biggest funded projects and we are very proud of it." (Justine Roditis, VP of Operations at WeWard)

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Nearly 300 children were finally able to return to school!

We promised it, and we delivered. The fundraising campaign, which took place between March and September 2022, sparked a wave of generosity within the WeWard community. Thanks to your steps and our app, SPF and FIFA were able to ensure that the children in the region could return to school under optimal conditions. The funds collected were invested in school equipment, water supply, the construction of sanitary facilities, and the implementation of a solar electrification system.

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Reconstruction work began on November 3, 2022, eleven months after the incident, with the laying of the first stone. The second phase of the project was launched in January, including finishing touches, the installation of school furniture, and the construction of a secure fence. The solemn inauguration took place in June 2023, attended by The Secours Populaire Français , FIFA, villagers, and local officials. As for the 270 pupils, their long-awaited return to school was successfully achieved in September 2023.

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The exceptional organization of the local section of the Fifanampiana Malagasy shone during the decoration of the school, its surroundings, and the entire village, creating a memorable day that will leave a lasting impression on people of all ages. This inauguration holds deep symbolic importance.
"The inauguration of this primary school, to which we had the honor of being invited, is an exceptional and remarkable event. It’s a major milestone for the future of this community (...) We are bringing to a close a dream that we have realized together. You can see for yourself!”
Claude Estaire, Secretary General of Secours Populaire, said at the opening of the school.

In order to prevent future disasters, the reconstruction of the school was carried out on strong foundations, designed to withstand upcoming weather events. Built to cyclone-resistant and earthquake-resistant standards, the Belambo School will also serve as a shelter for villagers in case of any future emergencies.