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The Delegation of Madagascar has long planned to start a school of carpentry for the boys of the Marolambo mission.
Before the year 2000, the missionaries who were working there decided to build a little school that was quite primitive, but could take care of about ten students. We saw good results with the boys who, after just a year of apprenticeship, were then able to earn their own keep.
Unfortunately, in 2007, we were obliged to close the school because the building was in very bad condition and it was putting the students in danger. After the closing, the people of the mission kept asking when we would reopen the school.
Thanks to Father Waldemar PIATKOWSKI and the Swiss organization, LebensWert, we have been able to put in motion the process for building a new school.
However, because of the bad condition of the roads, we had to re-do the project’s budget. With the huge increase in the cost of materials, we had to look for another financial backer who could co-finance the construction along with the LebensWert group.
It was then that Sister Claire François came along. With her Revivre association, she was ready to help us. In June of 2009, she came to Marolambo with the superior and bursar of the delegation to see the terrain and to speak with the contractor.
Finally, construction began. In spite of different difficulties that the contractor encountered, we were able to dedicate the new school on June 29, feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.
We are enormously grateful to the Oblate community of Marolambo for all the preparations for the event. We express our deep gratitude to the LebensWert and Revivre associations for having helped us to realize this project and also for having honored us with their presence during this event which was so important for our mission.
The opening of the school is planned for the month of October this year. May Brother Anthony KOWALCZYK, the patron of this school, intercede for us before God so that we might accomplish our mission! (Écho OMI Madagascar, July 2010)
