Pioneer Sustainable Development Programme - Madagascar
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from £1500 GBP
to £2000 GBP
Pioneer Sustainable Development Programme - Madagascar
Duration: from 5 Weeks to 10 Weeks
Countries: Madagascar
Join the Azafady Pioneer programme and help some of the poorest communities on earth. Be prepared for adventurous journeys, long walks in remote forests and beautiful project sites. The work may be tough at times but rest assured it is incomparably rewarding – we invite you to be more than just a tourist!
Join Azafady on the Pioneer programme and take part in sustainable development projects on the unique and exotic island of Madagascar. Running for over 10 years, this programme involves working on a variety of projects, while gaining first-hand experience of the resource needs of impoverished communities and how these impact on conservation efforts. The specific projects you will work on are diverse and will vary according to the present needs of specific communities. Rest assured whatever you are working on will be invaluable to the local people and there is something for everyone on this project!
Set in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa, Madagascar is the world's fourth largest island and has a colorful and unique human culture as well as breathtaking natural scenery and flora and fauna found nowhere else on Earth. Joining the Pioneer programme means that you will be living, working and travelling amongst some of the most beautiful and remote parts of Madagascar. The town of Fort Dauphin, where the NGO is based, is set in a stunning location in the southeast of the country, with beautiful beaches and in close proximity to some of Madagascar's famous nature reserves. Project work takes place both within the town and in the surrounding rural villages.
Pioneers take part in a range of practical construction work, conservation projects and educational activities, as required by the NGO's projects, which focus on health and sanitation, sustainable livelihoods and conservation. The projects are led by some of the most competent conservation and development workers on the island and are entirely based on communities' expressed needs. You will be an integral part of the team and gain an insight into real grassroots conservation and development. Some examples of projects that you will be learning about and may work on are:
•Building and equipping schools
•Health and sanitation work, including building wells and latrines
•Raising health and hygiene awareness - typically working with children in rural areas on crucial issues like nutrition, hand-washing and malaria
•Teaching English to school children and unemployed adults in rural areas
•Environmental education in remote villages
•Sustainable income-generating activities such as beekeeping and community vegetable gardens
•Development of sustainable agriculture
•Construction of fuel-efficient stoves within rural communities.
Do you accept non UK citizens?
Yes
Do you accept applicants with disabilities?
Yes
What support do I receive?
A dedicated team based in London is on hand to help with all your problems and queries prior to departure. Once out in Madagascar, Azafady staff travel and work with volunteers at all times on the project, primarily to ensure that the group is safe, but also as co-workers and to offer advice on Malagasy culture, facilitating communication and positive interaction with the local communities. Also travelling and working with the group is an English-speaking coordinator.
Cost Details:
The donation for the programme covers you for all in-country travel costs (excluding flights), project expenses, training, meals and plenty of safe water, use of basic campsite facilities, orientation and language classes upon arrival. It does not include flights and pre-departure costs such as visa fees, insurance and medical expenses.
Testimonial:
“I can honestly say that the 3 months I spent in Madagascar were the best 3 months of my life, and even that doesn’t do it justice. The experience you get when you volunteer with Azafady is so authentic; the absolute immersion in a culture so different and so fantastic is something that I’ll never forget…I cannot recommend Azafady highly enough. Your time there will be great fun, authentic and very special.”
Elizabeth Bailie Pioneer April 2009.
Who would this project suit?
This project is for anyone who wants to make a difference in some of the world’s poorest communities. It is ideal for individuals wanting experience in the development sector and appeals to all of those looking for a change of pace as part of a sabbatical, career break, or gap year. The programme can also be taken as an internship to in order to obtain experience or credit for college and university courses.
Company Overview:
Azafady is an award-winning UK charity and Malagasy NGO, dedicated to supporting the people and ecosystems of Madagascar, one of most biologically rich but economically poor countries in the world. At the heart of its work is an integrated approach to supporting the Malagasy people and their unique environment, built around locally expressed needs and community participation. Voted “Best Volunteering Organization” by Responsible Tourism in 2007, what makes us different is that all our volunteer programmes are not-for-profit schemes. This means over 90% of the funds generated from the programmes are spent in direct fulfillment of our aims and invested right back into our projects in Madagascar, rather than into a private company. By volunteering with Azafady, we can promise you a genuine, worthwhile volunteering experience.
Inclusions
accommodation, food, airport pickup
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Pioneer
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Azafady
Azafady is an award-winning UK charity and Malagasy NGO, dedicated to supporting the people and ecosystems of Madagascar, one of the most biologically rich but economically poor countries in the world. At the heart of its work is an integrated approach to supporting the Malagasy people and their unique environment, built around locally expressed needs and community participation. Voted “Best Volunteering Organization” by Responsible Tourism in 2007, what makes us different is that all our volunteer programmes are not-for-profit schemes. This means over 90% of the funds generated from the programmes are spent in direct fulfillment of our aims and invested right back into our projects in Madagascar, rather than into a private company. By volunteering with Azafady, we can promise you a genuine, worthwhile volunteering experience.
