Boanamary Library Construction Project
Boanamary Library
GPS Location: Latitude -15.834890 (S 15° 50' 5.604"), Longitude 46.319983 (E 46° 19' 11.939)
Project Purpose: Build a library and community space for children
Construction start date: January 2025
Construction end date: April 2025
Library Main Bookshelf
Local children using the libraries outdoor space
Construction has been completed! 🎉
Project summary: After six months of construction, the town of Boanamary now has one of the largest public collections of books in the Boeny region. Complete with solar lighting, a sheltered outdoor reading space, and ample seating and tables, this library is quickly becoming an important part of the local community. Within the first three months of operation, 127 children have already visited the library, with an average attendance of around ten per day. Now, for the first time, students have access to books in their native language not of religious nature. These include Malagsay literature and folklore, school textbooks, study materials for the important College Entrance Exams, and dual-language dictionaries for English, French, and German.
Thank you to the community leaders, construction team, library committee, and donors who made this project possible. Special thanks to Madame Victorine, who originally had the idea for building the library, acted as Zarasoa’s main point of contact throughout the construction process, and who is currently in charge of the space.
If you would like to continue to support the library's book fund or general upkeep, please donate! Every dollar you give will go directly to the community.
April 2025 project description: This project aims to fill a critical gap in educational resources by creating a dedicated library space for students. The library will offer a wide selection of books in Malagasy, French, and English, giving hundreds of children access to literature in three languages that would otherwise be out of reach. While you can't force a child to learn, you can remove the obstacles that make learning harder. This project will not only support motivated students in furthering their education but also inspire others to dream of and pursue academic success. In doing so, it strives to achieve both goals: empowering those eager to learn and opening new opportunities for those who may not yet realize their potential.
A group of five teachers has been working closely together to develop the plans, goals, and future operational procedures for the library project. Led by Victorine, a middle school English teacher who previously opened her home as a community space, the team is now focused on creating a permanent resource for local children. As her own children have grown, Victorine’s home is no longer a viable option, which has motivated her to take the lead in establishing the library. The teachers’ dedication to providing a safe and educational environment for the community will help ensure the library remains a valuable resource long after the initial funding period. Additionally, a group of local men, mostly friends and family of the teachers, have volunteered to construct the library at no cost. The mayor has also granted permission for the library to be built on a plot of land near the town’s soccer field, providing an ideal location for this important project.
Project Approved by the ZARASOA Board | December 2024