At just 17 years old, Rafetison Olivia Nirinavalona began pursuing a passion that most teenagers might only dream about. While many of her peers were preoccupied with the typical challenges of adolescence, Olivia was focused on something much bigger: helping underprivileged children in her community.
Now 28, Olivia reflects on the moment that set her on her path. “I was 17 when I realized my childhood dream,” she tells TRT Afrika. “For me, happiness meant sharing the light of learning with kids in a village school 74 kilometers from the Madagascan capital, Antananarivo.”
Her journey as an educator, fueled by a deep desire to offer children a brighter future, has spanned more than a decade. Olivia’s commitment to teaching has remained steadfast since she first stepped into a classroom, and it continues to guide her work.
When she’s not teaching in the classroom, Olivia can be found in orphanages, remote villages, and other underserved areas. She works tirelessly to inspire a love of learning in children, spreading enthusiasm for education wherever she goes.
At the core of Olivia’s mission is one simple but powerful goal: to inspire children to love reading.
In 2014, she joined Teach for Madagascar, a nonprofit organization working to improve education in a country where the literacy rate hovers just above 30%. Through this partnership, Olivia became a driving force behind the LET’S READ project, which aims to give children, especially those facing financial or social hardships, a chance at an education.
The project, now in its fourth year, is particularly close to Olivia’s heart. “The success of LET’S READ is rooted in my belief in the power of the written word,” she says. “It’s about showing children how reading can change their lives.”
Through LET’S READ, Olivia and her team have made great strides in promoting literacy. The project has published two editions of the Diary Nofy storybooks in 2021 and 2023. So far, nearly 50,000 books have been printed in Malagasy, French, and English, with audio and Braille versions also available. These books have reached public primary schools, institutions for children with visual impairments, and orphanages across Madagascar.
Reading as a Path to Healing
For Olivia, books are more than just a way to acquire knowledge; they’re a way to heal and offer hope. “I have loved reading for as long as I can remember. My father’s library was my sanctuary. During a time when I was bullied at school and had no friends, the school library became my escape,” she recalls.
Her personal experience with books has shaped the way she engages with children. She uses reading as a therapeutic tool, helping them escape their realities and discover new worlds.
“Reading offers the chance to escape into a different world,” Olivia explains. “It enriches my imagination and broadens my knowledge. I want to show children that reading is not just fun, but it can also help them dream of a better future.”
Olivia and her team in the LET’S READ project are committed to safeguarding every child’s right to an education, as outlined by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. While volunteering, Olivia has witnessed the harsh realities many children face.
“Many of these children don’t have the chance to imagine or dream,” she says. “Without access to books or the opportunity to dream, their futures are limited.”
Fortunately, Olivia’s Diary Nofy books provide a window to a better future. “Our books are more than just stories; they’re dream diaries. We want to show children that reading can help expand their horizons and encourage them to dream big.”
Expanding Reach and Impact
The scale of the LET’S READ initiative is impressive. The project has distributed thousands of books and provided regular reading sessions to over 67,000 children in 1,000 primary schools across Madagascar. But Olivia and her team aren’t stopping there. This year, they plan to extend the program to an additional 390 schools and children’s centers.
The importance of this work is highlighted by a recent World Bank report, which reveals that 96% of children who complete primary school in Madagascar cannot read a simple paragraph. This statistic underscores the urgent need for educational reform in the country.
“We believe that change is possible,” Olivia says. “Every contribution counts. If we start with just one school, we can make a difference. Education is the engine of change, and together, we can create a brighter future for these children.”
With determination and a clear vision, Olivia continues to shine a light on literacy in Madagascar, one book at a time.
