A new year, a new beginning for the children of Tanambao! They joyfully welcomed 2026 by celebrating the opening of their brand-new school extension, which houses spacious and dynamic learning spaces and 7 new classrooms. Students’ dance performances, festive activities, and a community meal filled the inauguration day with joy, laughter, and excitement. 

The school had long been too small for the growing number of students in Tanambao – one of the most disadvantaged neighborhoods of Morondava – where the Good Shepherd sisters have been working since 2006. Their mission began with training women in manual skills and helping them obtain legal birth certificates for themselves and their children. These first steps were followed by literacy programs and, eventually, the construction of the school. 

Education is one of the most powerful and transformative ways to break the cycle of poverty, giving children the chance at a better life. Those who access education are more likely to find stable and better paid work, and make informed choices about their futures. Education builds confidence, sparks creativity, and develops critical thinking. Through perseverance and compassionate commitment, GSIF, sisters and partners have worked tirelessly to help the community see the real value of education. Today, many parents in the community are supportive of their children’s learning and willing to send them to school. 

The Tanambao school offers much more than lessons. A daily canteen provides children with nutritious meals, helping them stay healthy, focused, and engaged in their learning. There is a library where they can borrow books, cultivate their curiosity, and expand their horizons. Attentive and caring teachers tailor their methods to each student’s needs and reality, ensuring no one is left behind. 

To strengthen support at home, l‘Ecole des parents has been created as a space where parents receive socio-emotional support and learn about different aspects of parenting, including children’s rights and protection. This way, they are given opportunities to become more involved in their children’s education and development.

Thanks to the school’s extension, the new classrooms can now welcome up to 300 students: 300 children who will grow in knowledge, discover their self-worth, and sharpen their minds. Empowered to embrace their full potential, they will make a positive difference in their lives and within their communities. This is why education is such a powerful force: it empowers, enlightens, and opens the door to a better future.