Group volunteering overview
Group volunteering trips (10 - 30 participants) are wholly bespoke according to the interests of the group, and can include a variety of components from our Conservation, Construction and English Teaching programmes. We work closely with the group organiser / team leader to plan an itinerary that will ensure a memorable, engaging and informative experience. We may include fun activities too - introducing your team to Malagasy drumming and music, various beach activities and the chance to visit local nature reserves.
Programme length: from 2 to 4 weeks
Start Dates: Flexible, please discuss with our team
Group Size: 10-30 participants
Activities: Construction / Conservation / English Teaching - combine as required
Fully Risk Assessed
Location: Fort Dauphin and Sainte Luce , Anosy region, South-East Madagascar
Donation: from £795 to £1395 per person plus expenses. Teachers / Leaders go free
Safety
The safety of any groups volunteering with us is of key concern. Madagascar is not a particularly dangerous country, but its extreme poverty and the desperation this engenders makes a certain level of crime unavoidable. On arrival in Fort Dauphin all volunteers are given a full safety briefing containing a thorough list of dos and don’ts to follow during their stay. An experienced team of international staff and Malagasy guides will also be on hand to support the group and see to their safety during placements.
High school groups volunteering
A school group of 16- 18 year old students must be led by teachers to whom we offer free places (1 free place for every 9 students booked at full price).
A group trip offers students the chance to experience a wholly different culture as well as a beautiful and remote location. The trip is additionally of undoubted academic worth. By working closely with a small NGO, students will gain insights into aspects of development work which touch on a myriad of subjects. They will view first-hand the effects of climate change and environmental degradation, learn about current conservation and environmental research methods, walk lemur spotting trips in the coastal forest and participate in community health and sanitation projects. Our work in Madagascar is varied, and we will ensure that your trip centres on the aspects of our organisation which interest your group most.
University groups volunteering
As a small NGO centred specifically on Fort Dauphin and the wider Anosy region of South East Madagascar, we recognizes the inter-causality of the problems afflicting the area and is thus engaged in a variety of different fields of development work. As such there are aspects of our work which will appeal to students of a variety of disciplines. Our group trips are arranged through a dialogue with the group leader to ensure that they are wholly aligned to the group’s interests.
Environmental Sciences, Biology, Conservation, Zoology etc – As a country Madagascar is of extreme interest to any student of the natural world due to its incredible 80% rate of endemism (degree of species unique to a geographical location). We are engaged in research focused on biodiversity, collecting data about species present, their distribution, density, behaviour and habitats in the southern coastal forest of Sainte Luce. This forest is one of only three significant areas of its type remaining in Madagascar, the country’s forests having been reduced by over 90%. A student group interested our environmental work will have the chance to hone their research skills by assisting our day to day conservation work, walking lemur transects and taking part in reptile and amphibian sweeps.
International Development, Economics etc – students of International Development will gain a unique chance to see the workings of a small forward-thinking development NGO and become engaged in all aspects of its work. Such experience will be invaluable for those wishing to pursue a career in this area, where extensive volunteer experience is sometimes seen as a prerequisite for paid employment. Students of any social science or economics based degree will find much of interest in Madagascar, a country afflicted by extreme poverty which sits at 158 on the Human Development Index. A group trip will give a great grounding and insight into the unique problems burdening the area and its people.
Corporate group volunteering
As a team building experience nothing could compare to volunteering with us. Your team would be camping in the stunning surroundings of the Anosy region of south east Madagascar, learning new skills, building on their resourcefulness and resilience and learning more about each others strengths and weaknesses whilst making a genuine contribution to the vital work of an international charity and helping those who need it most. Whether you choose to build schools and community building or want to educate your team about our beautiful environment and the pressures it faces through our conservation programme...or combine elements of both, we are sure your team will leave stronger and re-invigorated.
