Building cyclone-proof schools in Madagascar | Photos

Madagascar is one the poorest countries in the world. With a population of 19m, of whom 9.8m are children and 3.1m are under five, poverty is rife. Due to it’s geographic location between two climatic zones, Madagascar is hit by three or four cyclones in an average year, destroying thousands of schools and denying children a basic right; an education. This photo shows a family displaced from their home by Cyclone Ivan, as they walk 10 kilometres to a temporary shelter in the port city of Toamasina on the eastern coast. UNICEF is providing essential supplies for cyclone-affected families and supporting the creation of child-friendly spaces in accommodation centres for displaced people.

Two small children whose home was destroyed by Cyclone Ivan stand in the village of Ampasimbola. More than half of the district's buildings have been damaged or completely destroyed. About 60 per cent of crops have been flooded, household food stocks are exhausted, and no safe water is available. UNICEF provides safe water and sanitation supplies for children and families in cyclone-affected areas, essential drugs and basic supplies to restore and rehabilitate health centres; as well as tents and plastic sheeting for temporary classrooms, and 'school-in-a-box' kits and recreation supplies for children. Although temporary tents are immediately erected the need for safe schools is essential.

Ampihaonana Public Primary School, in the Analanjirofo region.

Juda and Corinne with their friends in their classroom, in the Analanjirofo region. The walls and desks have been made of bamboo by the villagers. The traditional method of construction in Madasgscar provides little protection against the cyclones that hit with a frequency of three to four a year. With increasing climate change the need for safer schools is essential.

By using new techniques in school construction architect Mario Bacigulupo has developed an eco-friendly school that respects the unique biodiversity of Madagascar. "In Madagascar, with its incredible and unique biodiversity to protect and maintain, we have to be aware of local construction traditions that contribute to destroying the environment – for example, the use of clay-fired bricks, which rely on burning massive quantities of wood in the firing process," says Mario. "These bricks are one of Madagascar’s most commonly used building materials. We have already developed an alternative, using compressed earth bricks as wall filler and reinforced masonry as a better way to construct."

Inside a cyclone-proofed classroom. The desks are mobile, ergonomic and lightweight allowing the classrooms to be more flexible encouraging group discussions and group work. "As an architect, I believe that a school should be designed according to a child-centred approach," says Mario Bacigulupo. "A school has to be built as a space that allows the best possible environment to attract students and facilitate their learning, and to promote inclusive access for girls and boys and for disabled children, as well as for adults."

Angita, Sylvie and Angita's mother Botovola (Angita’s mother) inside the classroom. "I am very happy that Angita is in this new school as it means they will be able to achieve their best results through their study," Botolova told us. "With these new classrooms the children are safe whereas before when the cyclones came our hearts beat fast and we were afraid to send our children to a school made of bad materials."

Girls and boys access clean water for drinking and washing outside their cyclone-proof, child-friendly school. "For a school there should be safe, comfortable, and properly ventilated buildings, appropriately furnished and equipped for children’s comfort. There should be clean water and sanitation facilities. It is also important to connect the school with the community, " says Mario. "The community is an important partner in ensuring that schools are child-friendly."

Children gather and play outside their school in Madagascar. "Children are the future, but to be sure that they will inherit a better world than ours," says Mario. "There is no time for pessimism! We are in the age of last opportunities, where there is no way back, so what are we waiting for?"

Photo story: Building cyclone-proof schools in Madagascar

23/11/2011