Why did you decide to volunteer abroad with IVHQ in Madagascar?
Venesia: I decided to volunteer abroad with IVHQ because my friend volunteered through them doing childcare work in Cambodia last year. She had an incredible time and looked so happy in pictures.
Volunteering has always made me happy… it’s an important part of who I am. So volunteering abroad combines probably the two things I love the most: helping people and traveling.
Besides, it’s been a really tough year… I really needed to get away to regroup and I definitely needed the boost that comes from doing something you love. I chose Madagascar after browsing the IVHQ website.
I knew I wanted to do a project in Africa because people have told me about the landscape, the animals, the cultures… and it all sounded like such a wonderful experience, the perfect escape paradise. Participating in the Teaching Project in Madagascar seemed like an appropriate choice because I can speak and write in French and because I am studying to become a teacher.
Describe your day-to-day activities as a volunteer.
Venesia: As a volunteer teacher, after breakfast at seven, we would walk from camp to Ampangorina. It’s about a 35-minute walk depending on the conditions. Some parts are a bit slippery and I’ve definitely had my share of scrapes and cuts… but I’ve discovered a way – walking barefoot… it gives you a better grip.
The school day is not very long but we teach the entire day. Because students live far up the mountain, we would end at approximately one o’clock so that they would have time to walk back. They have two 20-minute breaks in between classes and I love playing with them during this time.
I also really enjoy the exercise sessions they have over by the beach once or twice a week. During my stay, they played a game that resembles “follow-the-leader” and practiced for the regional relay race. After school ends, we would have lunch and discuss how we thought the lessons went.
We would also plan and prepare our lessons for the next day. If we have time, we would help with the painting of the school buildings or go for a swim before our informal adult class in the afternoon. In the adult class, we teach vocabulary and phrases that might help them in their jobs as a tour guide or restaurant owner for example. After this, we would generally boat back.
If you could go back and do something differently, what would it be?
Venesia: Looking back, bringing a recorder or a guitar might have made it easier for us to learn songs. I would also like to have meshed our color lesson with some sort of activity that made use of the art supplies I brought.
It would have been more fun for the students to get creative. If I could go back and do something differently, I would also spend more time with the local teachers because they have a wealth of knowledge to share about what works and what doesn’t.
It would also help me get a better understanding of my students. There is so much to know about each group: learning difficulties, their strengths and weaknesses, their interests, their learning styles and so on.
This information would have helped me plan lessons and present material in a more effective manner. Talking to the teachers would also allow me to learn about the reward systems in place and effective classroom management strategies such as how to line them up or quiet them down.
We learned these as time passed but it would have been good to know them from the start. Keeping to these routines and systems is very important.
Tell me about one person you met.
Venesia: I was very fortunate to be with a great group of volunteers. I met lots of people with diverse backgrounds and different life experiences. I got to spend the most time with my fellow co-teacher Jessi.
We were after all the only teachers there at the time. We worked together to start and implement the teaching program. Along the way, she has taught me a few important things either directly or indirectly.
I hope I can pass these along to more people out there. When life throws any challenges your way, before looking to others for help, look inside yourself. Trust yourself. You’re more capable than you might think.
Never back away from opportunities and from things you might want to do for fear of inadequacy. No one is perfect but that doesn’t mean you don’t try. Rise to the occasion, step up and follow your heart.
One person can change the world, a step at a time. Anybody can make a difference. Don’t be sad when you see inequalities or things that you think could improve… act on it and be a part of the solution. Stay positive. Don’t let one person or one bad experience bring you down. In fact, don’t let anything bring you down!
How has this experience impacted your future?
Venesia: This experience helped me find myself. It helped me develop the confidence and presence a teacher needs and showed me what flexibility really meant. Being around other passionate teachers and such curious and lovely students, I see what education can be. I see a future for the volunteer project, a future for the school, a future for the students.
That’s what I believe education is all about – a future. And I want to be a part of that. As teachers, we’re creating a better future – inspiring curiosity and helping students unlock their potential. I have visions of starting a library in Ampagorina so students have greater access to books.
My hope is that one day they would be able to read to learn, to be entertained, but more importantly to be inspired. Even though I am back, my heart is still with the students and I continue to think of things I could have done better. New ideas, themes, games keep coming to me. And I know I can be a great teacher because I want to be.