Overview
Volunteer on Community Construction Projects in Madagascar

Madagascar is a magical island and one of the biologically richest and economically poorest countries on earth. This project supports an award-winning NGO building rural schools in isolated and beautiful remote Malagasy villages. This is the scheme for people looking for a fitness-building outdoors experience that really makes a difference to the lives of those less fortunate. You will join a small group of like-minded volunteers, working alongside community members, camping in a stunning rural environment, engaging in hands-on construction of a 6 meter by 12 meter two-room, stone floored, tin roofed, wooden school house, equipped with tables and chairs, blackboard, shelving and water and sanitation infrastructure on site.

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One of the great successes of the NGO has been rural school building, and in the last twelve months the program has completed four new primary schools…... These schools are fitted with furniture, a well for clean drinking water, both boys and girls latrines, and if necessary, a residence for the teacher. Infrastructure in this region has had little investment for the last forty years, and to provide buildings for the education of our children is a strategy of national (and international) importance.......for us here in this region, every extra volunteer means extra investment, extra employment and training, and a multitude of benefits.

Mayor of Fort Dauphin

What Difference Does This Project Make?

In rural areas of Madagascar the majority of the population has little or no access to basic levels of formal education. Volunteers on this project assist a local NGO in the hands on construction of school buildings in remote village areas. The communities in which volunteers work are some of the poorest in the country and therefore improving access to education is an invaluable step in the fight against poverty. All schools are built at the request of the community and with community involvement.

Highlights

Because project sites vary, recreational opportunities will be different for each location however you will be immersed in the unique Malagasy culture for the entire visit. The extraordinary environment is always stunning, with exciting flora and fauna never far away and you will visit Nahampona Reserve to see several species of Madagascar’s famous lemurs. There will also be optional excursions to nearby attractions and rural markets.

Location

Set in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa, Madagascar is the world's fourth largest island and has a colourful and unique human culture as well as breathtaking natural scenery and flora and fauna found nowhere else on Earth. Joining this project 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 Azafady is based, is set in a stunning location in the south-east of the country, with beautiful beaches and close proximity to some of Madagascar's famous nature reserves. School building projects will take place within the surrounding rural villages.

Field Conditions

Volunteers camp for the duration of the scheme in some of the most beautiful camp-sites in the world. Food is simple, but tasty and nutritionally balanced. Whilst working in the remoter villages, toilets are 'long drop' and showers are cold; while at the camp-site in Fort Dauphin, conditions are less basic and electricity is available.