The idea for Madagascar Onboard came from Karen Smith, who visited Madagascar several times and developed a strong bond with the people she met there, especially the children.

A life-long advocate for women and girls, Karen wanted to help many of the young girls she met in rural areas, where prospects are often pretty dismal. Access to education is one of the key factors in improving the chances for these young people.

After Karen’s death in 2016, the rest of the board strives to continue her mission to improve access to education for Madagascar’s children.