Four children received their first book

The Norwegian tourist group who visited us two weeks ago bought books from us which they wanted Malagasy children to have. Vakoka Vakiteny is now free to give these books to children who need them, and the four first copies were given away yesterday. The children who received the books are all siblings living here in Toliara. We visited them at their home outside the town where they live with their parents.

Richard who is 15 years old got the book Takoboka and Vola (11) received the Dangaligny book. The two youngest, Francine (7) and Francia (6) both got Rebila, and Francia immediately began to look for familiar letters in the text. They have never owned their own book, and were very proud to finally have one. After they all had taken a look at their own book they switched, and Vola began to read aloud for Francine, whereas Francia found it very interesting to look at the pictures in Dangaligny and guess how the story goes.

They all go to a school which uses almost only French as instructing language, so the books in Malagasy are a new experience for them. But the parents encourage them to read even if they also find it strange with a book in Malagasy. Actually it was the mother’s wish that the children should have books that made us visit the family.

We wish Richard, Vola, Francia and Francine good luck with their reading, and we hope that they will have much fun with it. And we also hope that the books will give them self-confidence in using the Malagasy language, and pride in their mother tongue.