Teaching Through Emotions Releases Special Episode and Fundraiser for Rural Madagascar Library

 Teaching Through Emotions (TTE), the podcast hosted by psychodynamic therapist Betsy Burris, has just announced the release of a special episode centered on Vahombey Project, a school library project in the rural village of Bekitro, Madagascar. Alongside the episode, TTE is launching a fundraising campaign to support the library and its students.

Vahombey Project was founded by Jullian Androkae, podcast creative strategist and co-founder of PodVision, and a longtime producer of Teaching Through Emotions. The project brings library access and educational support to students at the local school in Bekitro, a community where basic resources like books, chairs and even a working terrace are scarce.

“Working on Teaching through Emotions has informed part of my approach building Vahombey, which has been running for the past five years as a beacon of hope for local educators. This is all thanks to the perseverance and aptitude of our librarians, whom we hope this episode and fundraiser help tremendously.” says Jullian Androkae.

The special episode highlights firsthand testimonies and voices of the librarians who run Vahombey day to day, named Raissa and Hary. Listeners will hear the librarians describe the daily reality of the library and the surrounding school: overcrowded classrooms, students who quietly disappear from their studies when they aren't encouraged to stay, and a delicate working relationship between teachers and librarians over how to handle students who act out in class.

“This episode puts TTE listeners in communication with educators who live 9000 miles away in conditions vastly different from those we’re used to in the US — but who embody the same values of care and connection that matter in all teaching. It’s thrilling to hear Raissa’s and Hary’s voices tell stories that all educators can relate to!” says Betsy Burris, creator and host of Teaching through Emotions.

Together, Betsy Burris and Jullian Androkae paint a picture of a library and a school community doing more with less. The stories in this episode are a testament to the common challenges and struggles of educators everywhere, not just in Madagascar.

Alongside the episode, TTE is launching a fundraising campaign to support Vahombey's most pressing needs, including:

• 500 books for the library's collection
• The next 12 months of these amazing librarians’ salaries
• 25 additional chairs to accommodate students more comfortably
• A TV to setup multimedia learning opportunities
• Repairs to the library's terrace and exterior

“I feel so lucky to know Jullian and to feel, through him, a connection with the people of Bekitro and the Vahombey project. It blows my mind how even a small donation from any American can make a huge difference in the lives of students, teachers, and librarians so far away. They need our support. So let’s give it.” says Betsy Burris.

Vahombey Project was started in April 2018 as an initiative to help the villagers of Bekitro, Madagascar, with a relevant issue in their community, to later become an education-oriented project. They are an evolving group of Malagasy and international activists who dedicate themselves to improving education and building community for Madagascar's youth. Vahombey’s mission is to improve education for all in Bekitro, a village in the South of Madagascar, primarily for the local middle-school students, enabling them to learn new skills, update their learning conditions, increase their awareness and
connect them with people from around the country and the world.

Listeners can donate to the project’s Chuffed campaign.

Teaching through Emotions (TTE) is a Women Who Podcast award-winning podcast that provides a rare form of relief for educators. Hosted by Betsy Burris PhD, teacher educator and psychotherapist, the podcast looks at bad feelings and bad behavior as meaningful and useful. Through a psychodynamic lens, she unpacks how emotions influence student behavior and teacher mental health. If you’re struggling with classroom management, feeling the weight of burnout, or dealing with the "bad feelings" that come with high-stakes teaching, TTE offers the psychological strategies, tools, and resources you need to stay grounded. You also get to hear beyond-surface-level tips and unique takes during interviews with remarkable experts.