Azafady - Would love to go back & couldn't recommend more

I signed up to the Azafady Conservation Programme (ACP) for the short period of 4 weeks and the only regret I have about the programme is that I could not stay longer.
I already had a desire to travel to Madagascar and having been recommended of ACP from a close friend who had been apart of the volunteer programme in 2009, I had a justification to go. The experience became so much more than that and I now have lasting elated memory of my time in Madagascar and the bush.
I didn’t have any expectations when I departed for Antananarivo and on to Fort Dauphin. It was remarkably easy to meet people, all coming from a range of different backgrounds, although largely from the UK. I can honestly say that the people that are drawn to the ACP or Pioneer programmes are going to remain some of my closest friends, partly due to our shared experiences but also because I was living with like minded individuals that shared similar passions, points of view and desire to be contributing towards Madagascar’s sustainability on a grass roots level.
Upon arrival and meeting the volunteer coordinators you can say nothing less than how easy going yet helpful the Azafady team are. There are no pressures to over come, yet they are always on hand to help you with any small or large request or dilemma. The consistent nature of the Azafady staff throughout my adventure only ensured my lasting memory or the trip.
We worked closely in the hamlet of Sainte Luce. You are isolated from Western Society, yet it is remarkable how comfortable this becomes. I did not once miss checking my facebook or slipping on to BBC sports to see how the Premier League is panning out.
You work with the biodiversity programme. There are two modules lasting 2-3 hours each day, where you generally go into the forest and assist the coordinators and guides on the work. During my time we embarked on detailed research on lemurs, herpes, phelsuma antonsy and various palms. Everyone has a positive attitude towards the work and the guides are incredibly knowledgeable, and always on hand to offer their wisdom. It also felt like we were making a positive contribution and achieving our goals. An example is that a publication was suggesting that there were only 40 specimens of a particular palm left in Madagascar (or at least our region) and in my 4 weeks out there we found 110, which I understand two weeks later surpassed the 200 mark.
We were able to collect seeds and physically restrict the plight of this palm. In terms of other conservation activities there were regular stove building activities, donating our efforts to the local community in a bid to reduce energy consumption and wood depletion. We also had an active involvement in the schools teaching the children about forest habitats and providing weekend English lessons.
It’s rather difficult to express how the entire trip has reflected on me. I didn’t once have a bad day, and reflect upon my time in awe and desire to return. The forests are no less than stunning. You have plenty of opportunities for adventure, visiting the most incredible naturally pristine beaches I have ever been fortunate enough to visit. The experience has certainly reflected on my life for the better. I am a lot more aware of how significant the work out in Madagascar is and I am eternally grateful that I was able to be apart of that. The wildlife is beyond what I imagined, even the campsite was littered with an array of animals, from a family of chicks to cats to the most unique reptiles. The night walks that occur three times are week are truly memorable.
It’s all very well trying to write down how my time in Madagascar was amazing beyond belief, but I can write nothing better than a suggestion you witness and experience all of this yourself. I have always tried to live an experiential life, pushing myself towards new and interesting things, but I think this has been the best choice I have made thus far.
So lastly be reassured that the contribution you make out there is well worthwhile and not to be fearful as everything falls into place rather effortlessly. So just take the plunge and see for yourself what Azafady can offer you and Madagascar.