2025/2026 was another good year for the Association for School and Children’s Books in Madagascar, particularly regarding the association's revenue from membership fees and generous donations. Expenses in the 2025/2026 fiscal year totalled € 10,734.59. Except for certain bank charges, this amount could be transferred in full to our partner Vakoka Vakiteny in Madagascar. There, the money was amongst others used for printing of a new book, Fara’s Tree of Change, construction of the school library in Vatomandry, an illustration workshop for a book on women’s rights and for the allowance of the local co-worker.  There were no administrative costs in Germany, as all work is carried out on a voluntary basis, so that all donations and income are available for the work in Madagascar. As per 30^th June 2026, there were € 14,232.03 in the bank account, ready for use according to the statues of the association.

The participants of the meeting received thorough information about the use of donations by the partner, Vakoka Vakiteny. The director of Vakoka Vakiteny, Andriamparany Rakotondrainy, delivered an interesting and richly illustrated presentation about the publishing house, the achievements of the past financial year and a detailed activity plan.

In addition, association member Dr. Clemens Däschle presented a planned, richly illustrated book for young people, Dangaligny’s Fantastic Journey from the Sun to Electric Light, which is to be published by Vakoka Vakiteny.

During the annual meeting it was unanimously decided that the activities of the Association for School and Children’s Books in Madagascar in cooperation with Vakoka Vakiteny will continue also in 2026/27. The Board of the association received a list from Vakoka Vakiteny with planned activities and a request to support some of them. The points on the list were explained and discussed during the Annual Meeting. According to the association's statutes, the focus will continue as before and be on the production and free distribution of school- and children’s books and the training of teachers and students in reading and creating mother tongue literature. In addition, the school library currently under construction in Vatomandry is to be completed.

The members of the association agreed on the following list of activities by Vakoka Vakiteny that will be supported by the association in 2026/2027, subject to financing:

•   Printing of the book Rojom-biavy

•   Printing of the book on solar energy by Dr. Clemens Däschle

•   Printing of the book on lemurs by Mr. Mparany Rakotondrainy

•   Conducting a workshop in Toliara for young people to create texts and illustrations

•   Expense allowance for Mrs. Hanta

•   Potential further support for the school library in Vatomandry (conditional)

The 2024 trip to Madagascar undertaken by association members was highly successful and very motivating; consequently, plans are being made to organise another trip to Madagascar for interested members in 2027.

A dedicated website for the association is to be created under the direction of Dr. Antonia Däschle by the time of the next annual meeting.

Overall, the 2026 Annual Meeting was highly motivating for the further work of the Association for School and Children's Books in Madagascar.

Herrenwies, 12 June 2026

Dr. Klaus-Christian Küspert

Chairperson

Association for School and Children's Books in Madagascar          
(Förderverein Madagaskar Schul- und Kinderbücher e.V.)
Hans- Vetter-Straße 125, D- 79650 Schopfheim
or: Dr. Klaus Christian Küspert (chairperson)

Bernstein 77, 95632 Wunsiedel
Tel.: +49 1573 3917741; klaus.christian.kuspert@gmail.com