From Wedding Gifts to Community Impact: How Our Guests Built a School
When we were planning our wedding, we knew we didn’t want a traditional gift registry. We already had everything we needed, but the communities we work with in Madagascar often go without the basics. So, we asked our guests to contribute towards something that would make a real difference. What happened next was more incredible than we could have imagined.
The Village of Antanitsara
Antanitsara is a small, tight-knit village in Madagascar, the birthplace of Tsiraiky and home to his family. It’s a place where people look out for each other, where life is beautiful but not always easy. Like many rural communities, access to quality education is a challenge. The village has a small school, but for years, it had been struggling due to a deteriorating roof. During the rainy season, water would pour in, soaking the floors, ruining materials, and making it impossible to hold lessons. Students and teachers did their best, but it was clear something needed to change.
There was no funding available for repairs, so the community did what they could—patching up the worst of the damage and carrying on. But each year, the leaks get worse, and the situation becomes more desperate. Without a functioning school, children risked missing out on their education entirely. And in Antanitsara, education is everything. It’s a chance for a better future, for new opportunities, for breaking the cycle of hardship.
A Wedding Gift with a Purpose
When we told our wedding guests that we wanted to fundraise for a community project instead of receiving gifts, we weren’t sure how people would respond. But we shouldn’t have worried—our friends and family jumped at the chance to be involved. The kindness and generosity that poured in blew us away. Thanks to them, we didn’t just raise enough money to fix the roof—we raised enough to build an entirely new classroom.
Previously, all the village’s students were crammed into a single school building. The younger children were on one side, and the middle school kids were on the other. There simply wasn’t enough space for the older students to have a dedicated learning environment. But now, with the new building, the school finally has separate classrooms. The younger children still use the original building, while the middle school students have the other half. And now, thanks to the new structure, the oldest children finally have their own dedicated space to study.
Seeing the Impact
When the construction was finished, the joy in the village was unreal. We received photos and messages from the community, and the pride on the students’ faces said it all. It’s hard to explain just how much something as simple as a solid roof and an extra classroom means in a place like Antanitsara. It means learning can continue no matter the weather. It means students can focus. It means teachers can plan their lessons without worrying about disruptions.
For the people of Antanitsara, this isn’t just a new roof and a new classroom—it’s a promise that their children’s education matters. It’s a symbol that people from across the world see them, care about them, and believe in their future.
It also sends a powerful message to the local community: just because the children of Antanitsara can now get an education doesn’t mean they will never return to the village. Tsiraiky is a prime example of this. He received an education, but rather than leaving his home behind, he has come back to support the very people who helped raise him and shape him into the person he is today. His story proves that education isn’t about leaving—it’s about growing, learning, and then giving back in ways that strengthen the community for future generations.
Why It Matters
This whole experience has reinforced why we do what we do at Miremby. Ethical tourism isn’t just about visiting new places—it’s about forming real connections, listening to communities, and supporting them in ways that make sense for them. That’s why the Miremby Foundation exists: to help communities on their own terms, in ways that have lasting impact. Whether it’s improving infrastructure, supporting education, or funding scholarships, we’re committed to making sure tourism gives back in meaningful ways.
How You Can Help
If this story has resonated with you and you’d like to get involved, you can donate to the Miremby Foundation. Every penny goes directly to community-led projects like this one.
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Our wedding may have lasted just one day, but its impact will last for generations. To everyone who contributed, thank you. You didn’t just give us a gift—you gave a village hope. And for that, we are forever grateful.
I'm so pleased to see the speed at which donations have turned to a building. Great work by the community who had made this happen once given the funds. True partnership!