About Meraki Smile School
Meraki Smile School is a non-profit organization located in Antananarivo, Madagascar founded by Miriam Agüero. Our mission is to provide high-quality education, daily meals, and basic healthcare to children living below the poverty line. We believe that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and are dedicated to improving the lives of underserved children in our community. To stimulate and support the local economy, we only hire local employees, under the supervision of Justin, the school director
In 2020, Miriam was pursuing a master’s degree while conducting market research on where to establish a non-profit school to help underprivileged kids. This is how she landed in Antananarivo, the capital of the fourth poorest country in the world, where 97% of the population does not finish secondary education. With the aim of opening by September of 2021, Miriam launched a fundraising campaign that raised over 15,000€ over the course of 6 months, enough to welcome the first 30 students.
At the same time, she met Justin, the school director. A young Malagasy social advocate who, together with Miriam, started Meraki Smile School. Miriam's idea is to build an easily replicable model of an international school that can be applied in any other country, while the local co-founder, Justin, brings the expertise and knowledge of the culture, the people, and his country.
Coming from the privilege of an International Baccalaureate (IB) education, Miriam is aware of the difference it can make in the life of a young person and started working to offer the same education she received to children that currently have no means to access it. Currently, Meraki Smile School has 45 students enrolled who receive daily meals, basic healthcare, and free high-quality education.
At Meraki Smile School, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. By providing access to education, we are empowering the next generation of leaders to create a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide high-quality education, daily meals, and basic healthcare to children living below the poverty line in Antananarivo, Madagascar. We strive to create a safe and nurturing environment where our students can thrive and reach their full potential.
Our Vision
Our vision is to break the cycle of poverty in our community by providing access to education and healthcare. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential and are committed to creating a brighter future for the next generation.