School for the Visually Impaired Program

Foibe Fanabeazana ny Jamba - (FOFAJA)    -    Antsirabe, Madagascar

 

“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.”  (Isaiah 42:16)

DESCRIPTION OF THIS PROJECT:

The education of visually impaired children presents a problem for the educational system in Madagascar as they have a limited access to needed resources.  The Malagasy Lutheran Church provides quality education for the visually impaired children of all ages at the FOFAJA school campus in Antsirabe, Madagascar, a work that began in 1924 with the Norwegian Mission Society. At the FOFAJA campus students will receive relevant and inclusive education which prepares them to become autonomous citizens and to participate effectively in all aspects of their daily life.  The school curriculum that is offered at FOFAJA is the same as all primary schools in the country.  However, additional subjects are included in the curriculum such as braille reading and writing, mobility, orientation for the visually impaired and training in the use of computers. 

ACTIVITIES REPORTS:

For many years this school has received generous funding from European sources, but this has now ceased. The Malagasy government provides limited support for the teaching expenses of the children, but does not provide additional support. The school therefore has the extra burden of raising its own funds for essential educational services. This is done to a limited extent from the sale of farm products, weaving craft products made by the children as well as financial contributions by the student’s parents.

FOFAJA - 4th Quarter Report 2023

AMOUNT OF REQUEST:

Annual cost of a residential student at the FOFAJA School for the Visually Impaired is (USD $586.00). A donor may provide a full scholarship or one half (USD $293.00) or one quarter (USD$146.50).  We would encourage an annual renewal of your support on an annual basis.

A donor will receive:  1)  A photo of the student, 2)  A biography of the student and 3)  A letter twice a year informing the donor of the student’s progress.