2023/2024 was another good year for the Association for School and Children’s Books in Madagascar. During the last 12 months the association could transfer the amount of 6,890 € to Vakoka Vakiteny in Madagascar: for the reprint and distribution of 3 books (2100 copies in total), for the finalising of the school library in Ambohimanambola including solar panels, and for the allowance of the local co-worker. Additionally, 455 € were used for bank fees and visa- and administrative costs in Madagascar. As usual, there were no administrative costs in Germany, as all work is carried out on a voluntary basis, so that all donations and income are available for the work in Madagascar. As per 24^th June 2024, there were 6,425 € in the bank account ready for use according to the constitution of the association.

The participants of the meeting received thorough information about the use of donations by the partner, Vakoka Vakiteny. Particularly information was given about the finalisation of the school library at Ambohimanambola and the study tour of members of the association to Madagascar (privately financed). Photo presentations from the trip and a film from the Malagasy television from the inauguration ceremony were shown. The film is available on the Vakoka Vakiteny website (Malagasy with German subtitles):   https://youtu.be/8dQwcI4XRsY

In April 2024, the chairman and four members of the Association for School and Children’s Books in Madagascar were able to visit some of the partner’s activities together with the head of Vakoka Vakiteny, Mr. Mparany Rakotondrainy and the local co-worker, Ms Hanta Rakotondrainy. The main item on the agenda was participation in the inauguration of the school library at Ambohimanambola. The guests were also able to visit other schools partnering with Vakoka Vakiteny and the school library in Mahazoarivo, Antsirabe. The response was overwhelmingly positive. With modest resources, mostly support from the association in Germany, Vakoka Vakiteny knows how to carry out a wide variety of successful activities. This enables them to reach a large audience and put the topic of "the joy of reading" on the agenda for students and teachers, as well as for school authorities. For more information on this study trip and Vakoka Vakiteny’s current activities, see Newsletter 1-2024: Newsletter.htm

During the annual meeting it was unanimously decided that the activities of the Association for School and Children’s Books in Madagascar in cooperation with Vakoka Vakiteny will continue also in 2024/25. The Board of the association received a list from Vakoka Vakiteny with planned activities and a request to support some of them. The points on the list were explained and discussed. According to the association's statutes, the focus will continue as before and be on the production and free distribution of school- and children’s books and the training of teachers and students in reading and creating mother tongue literature (“Joy of Reading”).

The members of the association agreed on the following prioritised support list:

• Printing of Ilay andro mahafinaritra (BookDash: A Beautiful Day) in 1000 copies.

• Supporting a workshop for students on creative writing and drawing (production of children’s books) in Ambohimanambola

• Finalising and printing of Fara’s Tree of Change (Environmental education), written and illustrated by Beth Dickens

• Allowance of Ms Hanta (local co-worker of Vakoka Vakiteny)

• Printing of the book produced during the workshop in Ambohimanambola (subject to available resources)

Vakoka Vakiteny suggested the purchase of a solar system for the school library in Mahazoarivo, Antsirabe, to enable the students to study in the evenings. However, this proposal needs some further discussion. The same applies to the possible construction of a third school library. Here, Vakoka Vakiteny was asked to submit a detailed request with information on location, costs and time frame before a decision can be made on a fundraising campaign.

Overall, the 2024 Annual Meeting was very motivating for the further work of the Association for School and Children's Books in Madagascar,

Herrenwies, 29 June 2024

Dr. Klaus-Christian Küspert

Chairperson

Association for School and Children's Books in Madagascar          
(Förderverein Madagaskar Schul- und Kinderbücher e.V.)
Hans- Vetter-Straße 125, D- 79650 Schopfheim
or: Dr. Klaus Christian Küspert (chairperson)

Bernstein 77, 95632 Wunsiedel
Tel.: +49 1573 3917741; klaus.christian.kuspert@gmail.com