Program Reviews

I joined MAD for two weeks in Tanzania. In the week we lived about an hour outside of Moshi in a remote village where they had not seen white people before. We were all welcomed warmly by everyone we met. We were repairing a nearby school that concreate floors had become dangerious with cracks and holes. On the afternoons we interacted with the school children, playing games and teaching them. By the end of the two weeks we had all made some great little friends. Definitely some of the greatest people iv ever met. On a weekend we stayed in Moshi where you can relax and let your hair down with a beer or two, and also arrange to do activities or see the sights. The view of Killimanjaro is breath taking. I got everything i wanted to achieve and learn from this amazing trip and recommend it to everyone i tell about it. Living in a difference society, learning a new culture and meeting incredible people surrounded by fantastic views everywhere you go. Il never forget it and already am looking forward to my next MAD trip soon!

The memories I made in Fiji will stay with me forever, and the people of Naboutini will always have a special place in my heart. I got out of my comfort zone, had inspiring conversations with my university teammates, and most of all, met some of the most genuinely kind and loving people I have ever met in my life. From the day we first set foot in the village, we were welcomed with open arms into the homes and lives of the Naboutini community. For eight days we ate with them, we worked with them, we laughed with them, we danced with them, and as we said goodbye, we cried with them. Although our visit was brief, the love and friendship that they offered us was so sincere that it felt like I had known them for a lifetime. I would highly recommend this life changing and incredibly rewarding service-learning adventure to anyone considering traveling with MADventurer.

Going back a few years now but only positive things to say about my project with madventurer. The pre project support, the local support whilst there and the community you feel a part of afterwards were all
Fantastic

Fab time working in Ghana for the MAD organisation.
Kids were fantastic, both in the classrooms and at the beach camp.
MAD leaders Cathy and Emily were extremely helpful and lovely to spend time with.
Early hours waking up (my most difficult experience!) and getting to the village via boat is a refreshing experience.
I taught maths to 3 separate classes which seemed daunting at first, but once I became familiar with the children I loved it. A great feeling.
Weekends had the choice of exploring the country or to relax by the beach - followed by a highly entertaining bonfire/boogie at night.
Hardest part would be saying goodbye to all the brilliant new people I'd befriended over the month.
All in all a fantastic way to spend your summer.
5 star, 10/10, highly recommend!!

I have been on several service-learning projects abroad and this one blew them all away. We lived in a small village and were completely apart of the community. I still cannot believe the relationships we created in the short time we were there. We had great discussions as a group that challenged and deepened how each of us thought about the world, service, culture, community, and many other things. We worked alongside people from the village to help build a community center that would serve many functions, but most of all be a meeting place for the whole community to come together. That is where they drew their strength and we got to be apart of building on that strength (literally). But really, they gave to us so much more then we could ever return. They cooked amazing food for us, welcomed us into their lifestyle and traditions, taught us how to dance, weave, cook, hammer in a nail, spearfish, and much more. And they showed us how happy life can be when you approach it with the right spirit and attitude. When we left, we all agreed it felt like we were leaving home.

I am a faculty member who had the privilege of participating in this adventure. I have devoted my pursuits to researching the impacts service-learning experiences have on college students, and I have not found an experience to match that of the Fiji project. Too often service-learning is confounded with charity projects. The Madventurer Service-Learning project in Fiji accomplishes what most projects aspire- creating a truly reciprocal relationship between the students and villagers, such that both become service-learners. The Fiji project creates a unique setting where these lines are blurred and all collaborate on a multifaceted objective to simultaneously complete the concrete task and develop a shared understanding of unique cultures.

I cannot recommend this program enough! I was in the beach community of Maranatha for a month as part of the Gib Tribe on a school building project. The madventurer team was amazing at making you feel welcome and accommodating your every need. It was amazing how involved we became in the community - not just during the work day but even after! Constant contact with the school children and people made all of the difference. With madventurer there was also a strong sense of knowing where they money you raise is going straight towards all the materials and resources that go into the project and community you are working on. The friendships and memories I have made with the rest of the building tribe, the friendly people of Maranatha, the madventurer team and the amazing kids, have gone above and beyond my expectations! I cannot wait to get involved in madventurer all over again! Akpe MAD!

Going to Fiji with Madventurer was the experience of a lifetime. The amazing experiences I had--whether it was going to the waterfall, snorkeling, learning traditional Fijian dances, or just playing games with the kids, really made this trip more amazing then I ever dreamed it would be. Working alongside the villagers to build the community center, helping to make a tangible difference in their lives, was beyond rewarding. However, the most powerful aspect of this trip was the cultural immersion I experienced. Traveling to Fiji opened my eyes to a new way of life and gave me perspective that I did not have before. Traveling abroad allowed me to grow, and traveling abroad through service made that growth all the more meaningful. I would recommend this trip to anymore with a sense of adventure, a love of people, and a willingness to explore!

I found this project at school, and so happy I did, this has been one of the best summers I've ever had. I was meant to stay there for four weeks but I enjoyed it so much I stayed an extra week.
The project wasn't easy, it was exhausting working in the heat but it was worth it at the end!
Our living conditions wasn't what you expected there was no running water, no electricity throughout the day but you get use to it and it teaches you of how lucky we are at home, it opens your eyes and makes you appreciated of what you have back home, you see the children with no clothes, no shoes, no toys and the are the happiest children I've ever seen.
I would recommend everyone to do this project it is the greatest achievement that you would receive!

I recently returned from completing my second trip to Ghana to take part in the project. The project itself is very well organized and our tribe leader, Cathy, supported us every step of the way from Gibraltar to Ghana and back.

Maranatha beach camp where we volunteer is a beautiful part of the world. It reminds me a bit of the Caribbean with palm trees on the shore line. It is not a holiday resort however and make no mistake about it, you are in the middle of nowhere where there is no running water or constant electricity. But to my view the resort is all the better for it as this allows you to enjoy the beauty around you more and become part of the community that much easier. You will be practically living like the locals: from showering in the river; to drinking out of plastic bags instead of bottles; to working shoulder to shoulder with them; to dancing to the small hours of the morning on the beach beside a camp fire.

Make no mistake about it, the manual work is tough, but as your time there progresses you will be amazed at what is achieved by people who have never done manual labour before. It will bring out the best in you.

This second time round I could really notice the impact that our first trip has made to the local community. Not only had the school attendance more than doubled in a year, but I could see a marked improvement in the academic level of many of the children. Which brings me to the best part of the whole experience...the local children. They are very excitable, very loud and above all very very fun to be around. You,ll have to fight the urge to take one home with you once the programmer has finished. They love being around the volunteers and help wherever possible.

In conclusion, I cannot recommend this project enough, and if I have an opportunity I will be back for the third time next year!