South Africa Newsletter, Novmeber
A new phase begins for the Mahabo Agricultural Training School in Madagascar.
In Mahabo, Madagascar, the changing seasons bring more than a change in weather.
For communities that depend on agriculture, the amount of rain that falls can have a significant impact on the months ahead. Drought and food insecurity are familiar challenges in this part of the country, where the ability to grow food and sustain livelihoods is closely tied to the land.
These are the realities at the heart of the vision for the Mahabo Agricultural Training School.
The vision for the school is to equip people with agricultural knowledge and practical skills, helping communities strengthen their farming practices and better prepare for difficult growing conditions.
Above left: Local community members bringing in tow cows prepared for the celebration. Above right: A wider view of the gathering at the Mahabo Agricultural Training School's site establishment ceremony.
After years of planning and preparation, that vision has reached and exciting new chapter. Construction has officially begun in October!
Those who have followed the project through our earlier story, Before Anything is Built, will know that reaching this point had involved considerable work behind the scenes.
And in Mahabo, there was good reason to celebrate.
A Community Comes Together.
The site establishment ceremony brought together community members, local government officials, the ministry partner, contractor, consultants and members of the EMI South Africa team.
There were speeches, a television camera and even two cows prepared for the celebrations!
Above left: Members of the construction crew preparing to break ground and begin work on the school. Above right: A closer look at the site establishment ceremony, with members of the local community gathered for the occasion.
Among those gathered was EMI architect Chamonix Stuart, who has been involved in the project since its earlier stages. She and her husband, Cam, relocated to Madagascar in May so that Chamonix could remain close to the project throughout construction. EMI colleagues Stuart Woodard and Will LoPatriello also travelled from South Africa to join the occasion.
During the ceremony, a local official invited Chamonix forward and encourages the community to welcome and look after her and the EMI team during their time on site.
It was a warm gesture from a community that had already begun getting to know the team through preparations for the school.
The Work Behind the Work.
While the ceremony marked the beginning of construction, much of the work that made it possible had taken place long before the first building work began.
As the project moved towards construction, the team continued working closely with the ministry partner, contractors and consultants to refine the designs and prepare for the next phase. There were challenges to navigate and decision to be made along the way, each requiring careful consideration of the school's long term needs.
Through much prayer, perseverance and collaboration, the project was finally ready to move forward.
Above: Chamonix Stuart, Jakob Adolf, and Julia Hutchens pictured alongside local community members during the site establishment celebrations.
With construction now underway, Chamonix is spending regular time on site, working alongside the contractor and consultants as the designs become buildings.
Being based nearby has also allowed relationships to develop through everyday interactions. Conversations with the contractor's team have opened opportunities to share more about EMI and the faith that motivates our work.
These relationships are an important part of serving alongside our partners, particularly as the team navigates the challenges that inevitable come with construction.
Rooted in the Community
The people of Mahabo are already playing a part in preparing the site.
Five local men have been working on clearing the school grounds, while a much larger group of community members helped prepare the access road.
For a region where employment opportunities can be limits and agricultural livelihoods are vulnerable to changing weather conditions, the school's long-term vision carries particular significance.
The hope is that the knowledge shared here will extend beyond the classroom, equipping people to put what they learn into practice in their own communities.
There is still so much to do before the school can welcome its first students. Construction will bring its own challenges, and the team will continue to depend on God's wisdom and provision in the months ahead.
For now, we are grateful to see the ministry partner's vision moving forward, and for the many people who are contributing to its realisation.
Pray With Us
Please join us in giving thanks for the start of construction and for God's provision through the many stages of this project.
Pray for wisdom and safety for the ministry partner, contractors and project team as construction progresses. Pray for continued trust and cooperation among everyone involved, especially as challenges arise.
Please also pray for the people of Mahabo, that the community would remain encouraged by the long-term vision for the school, and that the training offered there would one day help families build more secure livelihoods.
May this school become a place where knowledge is shared, lives are strengthened and the love of Christ is made visible through faithful service.
