My volunteer experience in Madagascar was Breathtaking. On board “The Spirit of Malala” the research and conservation vessel for the Island outreach program was an experience of a lifetime. I met lots of nice people, the staff were inspiring and really helpful.
The Island Outreach program which was abit of teaching, small construction, marine conservation, forest conservation and community development was truly a fulfilling adventure. The opportunity to do all these on and around the magnificently beautiful tropical Islands of Madagascar was life changing, i wish i stayed longer. I definitely came back a BETTER me.

Volunteering with IVHQ is one of the best opportunities I've had in my entire live. They are not only really organised, but also very committed on helping volunteers get prepared for their magical experiences. The support from my program manager was outstanding, she will always replied as soon as possible and guided me through every step. The quality of the project and the seriousness of MRCI (organisation in Madagascar) were incredible. The only drawback for people that come from less developed countries as me, is that the program is still a little expensive, although in comparison with other organisations it is impressively cheap! In overall, I would volunteer with IVHQ over and over again!!!

Volunteering in marine conservation in Madagascar for one month was an incredible experience. The support before, during and after my trip was impeccable. The IVHQ staff got back to me ASAP with all of my questions answered. They made me feel much less scared and more prepared. Whilst in Madagascar, the activities carried out were very well organised and well thought out in order to help the marine environment. I achieved my open and advanced open water fortifications whilst out there, both of which were completed quickly and thoroughly. I now feel like a confident diver and I feel as though I can carry on using my skills in order to further help the ocean. This trip has changed me as a person, helped me to grow and to become more independent.

I spent 1 month at MRCI and during that time I was able to take part in literally every aspect of the organizations' goals. I was initially signed up for Construction and teaching both of which classify under community development. Upon arrival, I was told about the Island outreach which is a 10-day outreach they run out of the nearby islands and Malagasy mainland with the dive vessel; The Spirit of Malala. The outreach was an incredible experience and when I returned to "camp" for the latter half of my time in Madagascar the staff continued to support me by allowing me to participate in Teaching, Construction, Forest walks, and Kyle the dive master even allowed me to obtain my PADI open water dive certification at a reasonable cost. My time in Madagascar was unforgettable and the MRCI staff have everything to do with that fact. I would highly recommend MRCI Madagascar to anyone and everyone.

Madagascar is an amazing country, Especially Nosy Be and its surrounding islands i.e. Nosy Kumba where the camp base is. The community is so nice and welcoming and safe to be in. The camp was much more spacious than i expected it to be, all staff were laid back and welcoming which made it so easy to settle in and made it feel like home for the 9 weeks i was their. Everyday we were driving at least once followed by a turtle watch and a beach clean or survey of some sort. I really feel like i fulfilled my volunteering expectations and beyond. Aside from volunteering we had a good share of down time which was not wasted, their was always walks we could go on and of course their was not one day that went by that i did not take advantage of living so close to a reef so i was out snorkeling every day, lets just say more than half of my time on Nosy Kumba was not spent on the island itself but instead in the sea. I would go back again in a heart beat. And i will definitely be recommending it to others, not just people that like the sea as the forest was quit challenging and not for the light hearted, which is exactly what i would expect from forest conservation. I will definitely complete more IVHQ programs around the world in years to come.

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.