Build Beraketa a Primary School

In our ongoing commitment to fostering education and well-being, SEED Madagascar (SEED) has been able to complete the construction activities on the Beraketa Primary School, signifying a significant push towards creating a conducive learning environment. Three resilient classrooms fitted with cyclone-resistant infrastructure have been built, along with 57 desks, blackboards, and lockable cupboards, that will now benefit 129 students in acquiring a beneficial education. Recognizing the crucial role of teachers, we’ve also constructed a two-room accommodation, which will allow for the reduction of living expenses put on the high-quality educators. This investment will enhance the faculty and the overall school’s management and security.

Our efforts extend into the promotion of the health and hygiene of the community with four gender-segregated VIP latrines, a vibrant handwashing station, and a menstrual hygiene management (MHM) facility being constructed as well. A groundwater well and a 1,000-litre water storage tank now provide clean water, contributing to a reduction in WASH-related illnesses.

As we understand the shear amount of carbon dioxide emissions that the production and transportation of construction materials has produced, SEED has planted 344 Acacia mangium trees. The same number of trees will be planted in a community resource use site, with 25% available for harvesting after five years, and 25% available for harvesting per each year after that. These trees were planted to be a community resource use site, and will be replanted after the harvesting is complete to ensure that site is sustainably maintained long-term. The upcoming handover ceremony in early 2024 will allow the transfer of responsibility to the Beraketa community.

Our supporters have played a big part of dramatically improving the education outlook for the community of Beraketa and we at SEED would like to extend a huge thank you from us and from the community to all donors.

SEED is very excited to report on the progress of the reconstruction of the Beraketa primary school after the original 2 mud classrooms were destroyed by cyclones Batsirai and Emnati in February 2022. SEED embarked on a mission to construct and furnish cyclone resistant classrooms. In addition to this, were plans for a teacher’s house and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities on the site. To date, major milestones have been achieved, and full project delivery is scheduled for end of October 2023.

The school’s three new classroom building, with cyclone resistant pillars has been erected, and the roofing has also been completed. By the end of September 2023, two of the classrooms and one of the cyclone pillars had been rendered, and the rest were in progress. The timber for windows and doors is on site and the installation works should be complete within the month. The desk benches to be used by the students are under construction as well and should completed by mid-October. The ventilated pit latrines for the boys have been roofed, and the ones for the girls are being rendered.

Soon, two handwashing stations will be built, and a well dug to permanently supply water to the school. A 1000 litre tank will also be installed to store water collected from the well, and supply to the hand washing stations and the menstrual hygiene management facility. To encourage healthy behaviours, WASH behavioural nudges, with informative murals will be drawn on latrine walls. In addition to this, a committee of school staff and community leaders have been trained to autonomously manage the WASH facilities after project completion.

This infrastructure will serve a total of 129 students and seven teachers. SEED is grateful for all the monetary and in-kind support toward the project.