He grew up in Alaotra Mangoro, a fertile region in eastern Madagascar. He did well in school and wanted to pursue higher education.
تَرَبَّى رِيَانَا ،‏ أَخٌ عُمْرُهُ ٢٢ سَنَةً ،‏ فِي مِنْطَقَةٍ خِصْبَةٍ شَرْقَ مَدَغَشْقَر تُدْعَى أَلَاوُتْرَا مَانْجُورُو .‏