Affordable Volunteer Programs in Madagascar from $550

I cannot recommend the island outreach program enough! From the moment i arrived in Madagascar i received so much support from the local staff and other volunteers. The staff made sure i was safe and comfortable in my accommodation and always wanted to know about feedback to help the programs grow which i think is brilliant. The program itself was life changing and is an experience that will stay with me forever. It helped me get out of my comfort zone, grow as a person and i really felt like i had an impact on the local communities and wildlife. Every second of the program was incredible and i have made such good friends from the experience. If you're thinking about doing the island outreach program then just go for it! You won't regret it

I cannot recommend the island outreach program enough! From the moment i arrived in Madagascar i received so much support from the local staff and other volunteers. The staff made sure i was safe and comfortable in my accommodation and always wanted to know about feedback to help the programs grow which i think is brilliant. The program itself was life changing and is an experience that will stay with me forever. It helped me get out of my comfort zone, grow as a person and i really felt like i had an impact on the local communities and wildlife. Every second of the program was incredible and i have made such good friends from the experience. If you're thinking about doing the island outreach program then just go for it! You won't regret it

I always dreamed to volunteer somewhere in Africa. I wanted to teach other, to help them and to motivate them to learn and grow personally. I went to Madagascar on a small island called Nosy Komba. I met so many great people, people who smile without a reason and do not judge. Best part of volunteering program were meeting local people, being able to work together with them. In the end I realised I came there to teach but for sure I can say that I have learned much more that I have taught. It really is life changing experience, it helps you to see out of the "box" in which we live. It helps you to start appreciate small things in life, values that you have completely forgotten about. Anyone who would like to grow personally, meet awesome people and start living should try something like that. :)

Within the module ‘Crossing Borders’ of my University I went to Madagascar for three month. I volunteered with the company IVHQ. They work with another organization, the Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute (MRCI). I followed the forest conservation program. I knew before, that Madagascar has a very special and endemic environment, but I was still surprised how gorgeous it is. I was living in a camp on the Island Nosy Komba, which is located in the North of Madagascar. It is a beautiful little Island with a 622 m mountain, compact forest and lots of beaches. I learned all the different species of lemurs, reptiles and birds. It was a pleasure to actually spot them in the forest. I worked from Monday to Friday and the work was diversified. During the weekend we were able to explore the Island Nosy Komba or other Islands around Nosy Komba, such as Nosy Be, Nosy Iranja and Nosy Tanikely. I was also able to travel to the Mainland of Madagascar. In the three month I learned a lot about the Forest, about the Malagasy culture and I made a lot of new friends. It was an unforgettable experience and it was absolutely worth it. Furthermore I wrote a Field Study Report for my University. I analyzed the impact MRCI has on commitment on environment and respect to nature. The results are very interesting; if you are interested in this topic you will find a conclusion here: http://www.madagascarvolunteer.com/mrci-impact-conservation-commitment-environment/ .
I made it to Madagascar and back on my own. I had to adapt on the culture, the lifestyle and also on the people, but after a few time this place which was so foreign in the beginning became the greatest experience I’ve ever had. Volunteering did not only increase my knowledge about how the world works , but also my self confidence. Volunteering with MRCI was a wonderful experience and I will never forget the beauty of the country and the kindness of both, local inhabitants and people from MRCI. My wonderful experiences will accompany me for lifetime.

I was a volunteer in paradise, I mean Madagascar, for 20 weeks with Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute via IVHQ, and in this time I discovered something very particular about this country, it makes time weird. On one side it feels that it was only a few days that I was living on camp, time flys in Madagascar. On the other when I came back to Mexico I did not feel that I was coming back home, I felt like I was leaving home. Like I had been there forever, and that is what Madagascar does, the culture, the people, the views, it all makes you feel something, something I can not quite explain myself. It's crazy to think that spending your days diving in the most gorgeous reefs, getting the chance to study amazing marine life, and getting to hang around teaching English to the cutest kids and kind people in the villages near camp is working as a volunteer. But here it is! and besides all this amazing things you know you are actually making a difference. that what you are doing with your time in that moment matters. There is nothing that can be compared to this, nothing more satisfying.
And the expectations i had? well, they were for sure exceeded. I came expecting to teach, to help, I left having learnt so much.
And in a way it all feels like a dream, like my very own Never Land. For me camp is the place where I discovered the me I like to be the most, the place where I've felt so loved and comfortable and free. The place that made me grow.
The people I met, the places I saw, it will all stay forever in my heart. Whatever happens next, Madagascar is now a part of me. So what did I get from my volunteering? I got a new family, an unconventional one but also a great one, I got tons of amazing memories and experiences and also I got me, I found me.
Thank you MRCI, for the best 20 weeks of my life.

Yours always,
POW!!

Upon arriving in Madagascar I had no idea what to expect but when I arrived on Nosy Komba it exceeded my greatest expectations. The camp is the most beautiful place in the entire world, waking up to the incredible view of Lokobe Strict reserve and the stretch of turquoise blue water in between never gets old and the thought of it as I am writing this review makes me miss it so much. I had so many great experiences while I was there and all I can say is go and experience them for yourself and I guarantee you won't regret it.

I've just spent 6 weeks out on Nosy Komba (an island in the north madagascar) teaching during my Gap Year and couldn't tear myself away! I extended my stay as much as I could and will definitely be going back to this beautiful country soon. The IVHQ program which links to the Marine Research Conservation Institute on the ground was a perfect way to learn the language and get to know the locals, great trips with fellow volunteers on weekends to! If you are thinking of going the Teaching is the program for you, no prior experience needed, just a willingness to jump in and make a difference. Contrary to the other programs (except construction) you really feel the difference you are making in the communities. There are five sites you teach in, all a little bit of a scenic walk away (half hour to an hour maximum) over sandy beaches, over rocks and in the jungle. There are both children's classes (around 10 years old) and adult classes, the schedules are very flexible so if you have a favorite it an be accommodated. The camp was a great buzzing atmosphere with young volunteers from all over the world in an assortment of basic but comfortable huts for 6. There is a lovely common area for reading in hammocks, card games, or just chatting as you overlook the reef with the abundant turtle colony poking their heads up now and again. The food is nice but repetitive with a base of rice and beans, sometimes with meat or fish and some vegetables, but we found ways to spice it up with avocado or curry powder. There is no wifi on camp which is quite refreshing, for a long stay it is easy to get a local sim card, but as a teacher you get access to wifi in some of the villages you visit so might not even need it. For charging devices there is a generator at camp which is on 2 hours a day, otherwise once again teachers have an advantage getting off camp and going to an internet cafe in Nosy Be or a lovely restaurant half hour away in Ampangorina. I loved my volunteering experience meeting so many wonderful people from all over as well as being so immersed in the local culture and making friends with the local students in our english classes. If you do end up applying then make the most of it! Join the facebook page and don't be afraid to ask for any advice. When you apply you can also tick the "Have you been referred to IVHQ by an IVHQ Ambassador or IVHQ Partner?" and enter my code (2f79a30c).

The four weeks i spent on the IVHQ program in Madagascar was incredible. I have completed many teaching programs around the world and i can confidently say this has has been the most enjoyable and rewarding program so far. The NGO (MRCI) is very well organised and supportive throughout your whole stay and the staff are great. The living area and meals were well worth the money. The actual teaching experience itself was probably the most rewarding thing i've ever done. You form an incredible bond with everyone in the local village from adorable 5 year old kids to 40 year old adults, they all show their appreciation for you every single day. One of the things i will never forget is how the children would shout my name and wave with the happiest faces i've ever seen! Thank you for everything. I'll never forget it.

I am coming to the end of my stay here at MRCI on Nosy Komba. I started as a volunteer in the teaching program and after 4 months became the teaching coordinator! The growth that i have seen in the project itself is overwhelming, you can really see the students improving and the impact you are making on the local community and school. In the six months I have been here we have expanded to a new school on Nosy Be, and our class sizes have grown noticeably. The day to day life is absolutely unbelievable surrounded by stunning views and loving locals and volunteers. My volunteer experience was irreplaceable and my time as an employee has taught me so much for the future. MRCI is currently, and always, looking for new enthusiastic teachers to join our team and continue the amazing work that is happening. I would recommend to anyone to either apply for a job within the teaching program, or at least consider volunteering with the teaching project here in Nosy Komba. It isn't something you will ever regret.

I had a great time meeting people around the world and getting close to them. I was in the forest for half of my experience here and it was a lot of fun getting data from all the lemurs and reptiles. The second half half of my trip was mostly in the water where i saw beautiful scenes. The thing i enjoyed most in Madagascar is the place is covered with life. The staff here in Nosy Komba were awesome and always there to help. overall my experience here was well beyond my expectations and I can't wait to see some of the friends i've made here again.

Echoing what someone else said in regards to the negative review; when you are volunteering in a third world country, you can't expect luxury! There will be bugs, basic facilities and basic food. Having said that - I was in Madagascar for 8 weeks and was able to see how drastically all these things improved! The owner of the campsite is very invested in making it as pleasant as possible for the volunteers and I loved the camp. It's beautiful and has such a friendly atmosphere!

To review the Forest Project itself: it was incredible. The lemurs were so interesting to study, always getting up to some new kind of mischief each day. I unfortunately was in a scooter accident my first weekend and couldn't make the hike to the wild lemurs (around 2 hour walk away) and so got to be very familiar with the village ones instead. It was great to be able to focus on them, I felt like I was making more of an impact because I was able to ID them better and such. The reptile and birding programs got going while I was there and are very interesting, already a few strange looking lizards and snakes have been seen - I'll be very surprised if some of what they find isn't a new species.

The Malagasy people are probably the friendliest I have ever met - safety is definitely not on issue on camp or in the village. The locals adore the volunteers and will do their best to help you out if you hurt yourself or anything! You will make lots of friends there as well, even if you are only in the village occasionally, which really adds to the experience of the project.

I signed up to teach for one month and half way through that time decided that I wanted to stay. I fell in love with the students, the neighboring village, beautiful camp, the staff, and wanted to make it a somewhat permanent situation. So I applied to stay as staff and thankfully, was granted a role within the organization.
I'm so very happy to have made the decision to volunteer and stay here with IVHQ.

My stay in Madagascar was amazing! Madagascar is more touristy than I expected but I loved every minute. Although I would have liked to stay with a local family, the volunteer house was great too... the volunteers and staff made it fun. We were like a family watching movies together and playing interactive games we made up that involved everybody. I felt comfortable sharing my thoughts and feelings with these people... I didn't think I would be being more reserved and shy.

At first I was a bit skeptical about leaving my stuff around but you soon learn to trust... No one would steal your stuff at camp and even in the village we taught at, the locals make sure your stuff is safe... they are so happy we're there. Everyone I have met in Madagascar has been nothing but nice and welcoming! Even the construction workers building the bungalows are really friendly and helpful and they work to make sure that the surroundings are safe and that there isn't material lying around.

We did only have one bathroom during my stay but it usually worked out... it's part of working/living together. It was a bit tricky walking down if you have to go the bathroom at night but I know more bathrooms were being built and there would be one closer to the bungalows that were higher up. As for the water, I don't think it's an issue... no one has ever gotten sick from it. In terms of power, I actually liked the fact that we only got it for a limited time... it is more environmentally friendly anyway and that's kind of the point if we believe in conservation efforts. The food was fine and we got zebu sometimes... It would help to have some more food on some days but I think the local staff realize that are working on improving the situation with the many new volunteers that are headed there.

I participated in the teaching project. It was very interesting to come up with lessons after assessing the needs of the students, the teachers and locals who also wanted to learn English. We had lots of time to plan, explore and engage with local people.

You can really tell that the students wanted to learn. They never act out and thanked us with songs, hugs, smiles and lots of little gifts. Because their level of English is very basic, being able to speak and write in French was really helpful. Our lesson plans aren't necessarily the most fun but the students were still eager to participate. I hope the lessons can get more interactive and be more discovery-based as they progress and improve in English.

Working with local teachers allowed me to learn a lot of Malagasy. I also found out that they sound things out quite differently so if we were to help students remember pronunciation of words in English, talking to the local teachers would definitely help. The teachers there are so nice and even invited us into their homes, shared their honey and snacks and one even played us a tune on his keyboard. I also played him a song... it was like a sharing of culture.

I am hopeful that we can have a huge impact on the students' learning. I loved teaching there... it was a very rewarding experience that solidified my desire to finish up my Education degree and teach. The students again are awesome and are happy for what we may think of as little things... like when we showed them funny moves, like when I decided I wanted to learn their jump rope game thing. They are excited for pictures and were super happy when I brought them stickers, supplies, a soccer ball and a basketball.

As a volunteer teacher, I was able to not only teach them but really interact with them outside of the classroom setting during recess and the sport sessions by the beach. I would have loved to stay longer and teach them some sport or tag games. Teaching is so community based there. I know we were making a difference just by being there and the locals have told me time and again how grateful they are. It makes everything worthwhile. I even ended up enjoying our walks to the village from camp every morning. The scenery is gorgeous along the way.

I also got to help out with the construction project also taking place in the same village during our free time. Students and locals also helped a bit and it became like a group effort to give the school a lift. The new blue paint gives the village more liveliness and energy. Even the tourists commented on how nice it is and asked us about the volunteer program. I am happy that we were helping the community in a variety of ways. The forest and marine conservation groups also talked about what they have done and I think it's great!

I loved Madagascar and the island life... learned to take things slowly and be in the moment. Many new experiences... got to see wonderful sunsets, swam with turtles, touched a jellyfish, of course there are the lemurs... I also liked how we could walk almost anywhere barefoot! Loved the weekend trips. All the volunteers are awesome people with different backgrounds and personalities but all wanting to help in their own way. We were really kind of like a family: looking out for each other, sharing clothes, fixing stuff for each other, joking around... I love them! I also love the kittens and I have learned to love the chickens that visit us and lay eggs in our bungalows.

Yes, there are some minor things that could be improved on but I think overall the program was great. I learned a great deal about myself. I found out I really don't need as much as I think... I don't need a lot to be happy. I also found out I was a lot more capable of doing things on my own than I give myself credit for and that positive thinking is really important and can lead to great changes. It was an amazing experience... I would go again in a heartbeat...

Everything is still under construction, including the so-called 'conservation programs' managed by an obscure organization Madagascar Research & Conservation Institute. The premises are messy and hazardous with construction material scattered everywhere and power for only 2 hours a day. Hygienic conditions are appalling with 20-30 people sharing a single toilet/shower and no proper cooking and washing facilities. Food is scarce and inadequate with only rice, instant noodles, salad and beans in canned tomato sauce dished out every single day. Drinking bottles can only be filled from a tap inside the toilet and the water is not treated. Hardly a coincidence that after two weeks more than 50% of all volunteers (including myself) and the zoologist tested positive with salmonella typhi (typhoid fever). A very sick US volunteer was treated in hospital for three days and has been repatriated today.

IVHQ should immediately cancel this program and only resume it if and when the minimum standards will be met. In any case they should tell people about the real conditions on Nosy Komba. Unsuspecting and full-fee paying volunteers are presently financing MRCI's still non-existing conservation curriculum, as well as the construction of some ruthless businessman's private 'corner of paradise'. Totally unethical and unacceptable.