About Us

Rural Educational Connections

A Message from the Director:

Thank you for visiting the Rural Educational Connections website. I hope you enjoy learning about our school and seeing the images which capture the happy, healthy and high achieving environment that we work so hard to provide.

Enjoy your journey through this website, and I look forward to connecting you to our vibrant community.

Raymond Ziviski

Founding Director of Rural Educational Connections

Why Madagascar?

Madagascar faces extreme poverty, which manifests in devastating ways. Many regions lack essential schools and medical facilities, leaving children without access to a proper education or necessary healthcare. The needs are stark: stunted growth, scarcity of clean water, and a lack of medicine contribute to a cycle of disadvantage that our community aims to break. At Rural Educational Connections, we believe that education is a catalyst for transformation, and we strive to connect individuals, businesses, and churches to support schools across Madagascar.

Our Vision

Our vision extends beyond education; it encompasses the holistic support of communities. Schools serve as vital hubs for education, health, community development, farming, and tourism. By fostering connections, we empower communities to thrive in diverse aspects of life.

Our Core Initiatives

Morning Snack Program: Serving 200-225 students, this initiative provides nutritious snacks for only 10¢ each, totaling $2 per month per student.
Book Program: We are dedicated to building a small library that offers books in French, Malagasy, and English. Your contributions can help us acquire foreign language books, dictionaries, Bibles, and essential teacher training materials.
Teacher Training Program: Our goal is to elevate education quality through professional development, utilizing both internet-based training and in-person workshops. The cost for campus-wide internet is $500 per year.
Guest Accommodations: We have developed a guest house that requires finishing touches and essential appliances, welcoming those who wish to support our mission directly.
Health and Dental Care: Our clinic is temporarily closed due to financial constraints. We urgently seek funds to cover the minimum monthly salary for a doctor and replenish our supplies, especially anti-parasitic medicine, which is critically needed.
Proper Storage: Ensuring proper storage for food and supplies is vital. Currently, we are seeking more efficient options to streamline daily shopping for over 250 students.
Education Building: School facilities are in dire need of substantial repairs or reconstruction. Our wooden desks and benches often break, necessitating durable, long-term solutions.
Clean Water: Access to sanitary water for cooking and drinking is a fundamental priority, as children currently have limited access to clean drinking water.

Connecting Communities

Ultimately, our mission is to create lasting connections between our partners and the students, teachers, and staff of the numerous schools we support in Madagascar. Despite the significant lack of educational facilities across the country, we work tirelessly to bolster these schools and provide essential resources. By fostering these connections, we aim to enhance educational experiences and drive positive change in the lives of countless children. Together, we can make a difference in Madagascar’s future.

More About Us

Rural Educational Connections was founded by Raymond Ziviski, who first visited Madagascar 20 years ago to build a Bible school in a region sorely lacking educational resources. During his initial visit, he witnessed a profound need. Local children would gather daily at the construction site, eager to observe the project but with no school to attend. This pivotal experience fueled Raymond’s determination to create sustainable educational opportunities in Madagascar.

PARENT TESTIMONIALS