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Category: Reviews

Amazing Malagasy Lifestyle
Reviews

Amazing Malagasy Lifestyle

I’ve had an amazing time on camp! The camp parties were so fun, especially the sock wars and camp Olympics. There’s so much team spirit on camp and its so nice being around likeminded people. The diving team is amazing and the dive sites are amazing. It couldn’t be more fun here and its so cool meeting people all over the world. So sad to leave camp and the Malagasy lifestyle – Mora Mora.

-Beth, 10 weeks mixed.

Teaching Volunteer Memories Will Last A Lifetime
BlogReviewsTeaching

Teaching Volunteer’s Memories Will Last A Lifetime

Former teaching volunteer, Hannah Bonecutter, made the most of her short stay with us.  We love knowing that while we’re making a difference to the community here, we’re also helping to create wonderful memories to last a lifetime!

Teaching Volunteer Memories Will Last A Lifetime“My visit in Madagascar was absolutely phenomenal!  I started out doing the Forest Conservation Program , but then switched to the Teaching Program because I felt I would serve the community best in this capacity for my relatively short 2 week stay on the island.  Further, I am a licensed teacher back in America and indeed felt the teaching spirit calling to me much more than the forest conservation one there in Madagascar.  Hence, I switched and it was the best decision I made there.  The local staff were completely understanding and helpful in this, and needless to say I absolutely loved it!  I taught English to all ranges of students from kindergartners in Ampangorina village on Nosy Komba, to older adult students in Hellville city on Nosy Be.  I grew quite close to  several of my students in Nosy Komba and even had them write me goodbye notes in a book I made before I left.

The accommodations on camp were quite nice considering the fact that we were in the middle of serious forest and wildlife in Madagascar.  I enjoyed sleeping in my Treehouse hut with my fellow hut mates and honestly made good friends on this trip from our volunteer bunch.  I enjoyed getting to know people from other parts of the world and learn about their languages and culture

Teaching Volunteer Memories Will Last A LifetimeI truly enjoyed every part of this trip so it is hard to choose favorite moments, but here are some.   One of them was definitely my weekend trip to the gorgeous island of Nosy Iranja.  Simply viewing the sunset on that beach there was breathtaking.  Walking across the sand bar that connects the 2 land masses of Nosy Iranja was awesome!  Another one of my favorite moments was teaching my students each day.  I loved singing songs in Malagasy with my younger students at the church school in Ampangorina.  A spectacular moment of my trip was visiting Lemur Park and having the Lemurs hop on my back while I fed them bananas!  I also got to hold a Boa Constrictor snake, which was nothing short of amazing.  One last favorite moment was eating at a local highly-rated restaurant called Christian’s, where Chef Christian made the most delicious meal for a group of us.  The food was fantastic!

Luckily, I did not get seriously injured or sick on this trip (as some do because you do a lot of walking over large rocks, climbing, and digestions of potentially uncommon foods and drinks no matter what program you are in), as some volunteers do.  I also was very cautious and any cut or bruise I got I treated immediately and effectively.  If you do this, and follow safety procedures, you really have practically nothing to worry about.

Overall, this trip was extremely memorable and life-changing.  I am so grateful that I was able to do this and I truly feel that I made a positive impact in the communities where I taught in Madagascar.  I definitely plan to return to Madagascar in my lifetime and hopefully visit my students again!

Remember:  The memories that you make in Madagascar will last you a lifetime, and more”.

If you would like to find out how you can join our Teaching Program, contact us today.

Reviews

Teaching Volunteer Review

“Words can’t describe the appreciation I have for all the hard work you put towards the goals behind MRCI.  It’s inspiring to see people passionate about what they’re doing.  The location of my mission made for an amazing time, but it was mostly the people working by my side.  Let me just say it was a pleasure and honor working with you all.  You all are a part of something so special.  MRCI has amazing programs that do great things but this institute also gives a volunteer like me a community of friends and staff who bring nothing but good vibes and good times.  I hope to see all of your beautiful faces again.  Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love. Keep loving friends”.

Teaching volunteer – Chandler Renz

Chandler Renz Teaching Volunteer_3of3 Chandler Renz Teaching Volunteer_3of3

Volunteer Raises Money for Community Sports
BlogCommunity DevelopmentReviews

Volunteer Raises Money for Community Sports

We are constantly amazed at the passion and dedication of our volunteers to the community they work with in Madagascar.  A former volunteer, Taylor, shares her experiences:

Volunteer Raises Money for Community Sports“I arrived at the Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute (MRCI) basecamp on Nosy Komba, Madagascar December 6, 2016. At this point I had no clue what was in store for me and did not anticipate falling in love with a culture and its people the way I did. Coming into camp as an English teacher, I learned that I was also placed under a broader category of volunteers titled “Community,” and was soon challenged to create a community-based project. Although it took some time to come up with an attainable project, I finally proposed the idea of raising money to purchase sporting equipment for local schools. A few particular events sparked this idea.

Volunteer Raises Money for Community SportsNot long after I arrived, the community team, myself included, donated money to purchase supplies to fix up a local village’s basketball court. Since the court has been fixed, games have brought the community together on a daily basis. This particular event resonated with me as I grew up playing various sports where local teams thrived off of community involvement and spirit. In addition, it made me realize how easily things such as gymnasiums, organized practices, coaches, and equipment availability can be taken for granted. I knew I wanted work on a project that would benefit a community and I had to tie it to something that locals were passionate about. It then dawned on me; we were able to bring the community of Ampangorina together by simply aiding the people with needed supplies, which in turn allowed them to come together through sport. After talking with the community coordinator and ranting about my hometowns community spirit, I knew I needed to ask for help.

Volunteer Raises Money for Community SportsI was raised in Drumheller, Alberta, a small town in Western Canada. Growing up here, it was quickly learned what it meant to be a part of a small community. This community has come together on various occasions when either a family or an organization was in need of support. Having been given the opportunity to play and be a part of multiple school teams growing up, I was able to establish interpersonal relationships not only with team members, but also with coaches and teachers. Knowing how my community has come together in the past to help those in need, I knew I could reach back to my roots for support.

Volunteer Raises Money for Community SportsI soon contacted the principal of the high school I attended, Drumheller Valley Secondary School (DVSS), and proposed my goal and challenge to the schools current students. I wanted to challenge students of DVSS to each donate just one loonie ($1.00CAD) in hopes to raise enough money to purchase just one sports ball per school on the island of Nosy Komba. We set the initial goal at $350.00CAD. The principal, Mr. LaPierre, agreed that this would be a great learning experience and opportunity for students to help fellow students. The plan was then quickly put into action. Mr. LaPierre challenged all students to bring in $1.00CAD where he would then reward the class who raised the most money with a pizza party.

It was clear that the students were more than ambitious to help out their peers on the other side of the world. In two days’ time, the students and staff of DVSS raised $695.00 CAD. I was ecstatic when I was notified that our initial goal was essentially doubled. This enabled myself, with the help of staff and fellow volunteers to venture out and purchase the sporting equipment!

Volunteer Raises Money for Community SportsWith the money raised, we were able to purchase a total of 28 soccer balls, 14 regular basketballs, 4 small basketballs, 15 small rubber balls and 5 pumps.  In addition, we were able put money towards a boat and skippers in order to easily transport and deliver the sporting equipment. Balls were delivered to all schools and villages on Nosy Komba as well as schools on Nosy Be.

Delivering the equipment was a heartfelt and gratifying experience. I was truly moved by just how grateful and happy students, teachers and villagers were by something as simple as one or two sport balls. I also cannot express how amazed I am by everyone that came together to accomplish the proposed fundraiser. The students of DVSS proved yet again just what the town of Drumheller is able to accomplish when they come together. The students of DVSS invested their own money in order to allow students in Madagascar the opportunity to come together as a community through sport. One person can feel small alright, especially when you venture into the wide open world. However, this project has shown that if each one of us do a little bit, bigger things can happen. This idea was made a reality thanks to the students and staff of DVSS along with the staff of MRCI and the community of Nosy Komba”.

If you would like to find out how you can join us in making a difference, contact us today.

A Rare Experience: Father & Daughter Volunteers
BlogMarine ConservationReviews

A Rare Experience: Father & Daughter Volunteers

A Rare Experience: Father & Daughter VolunteersAlthough most of the volunteers who choose to join MRCI during their gap year are between the ages of 19 and 25, we usually have all ages on camp.  Rarely do we get to share the experience with father and daughter though, and what a pleasure it was to share it with Tom and Grace Anastasio during their marine conservation volunteer program.

Grace looked forward to diving with her dad:

“Before I even arrived at camp it was obvious to me that Madagascar and MRCI would offer me an incredible adventure. Before hitting the ground I was already enamored with the country in which I would be lucky enough to spend one whole month.

From our connecting flight in South Africa, we boarded the smallest plane I had ever seen and buckled in for a flight that would eventually take us over the pristine waters of Madagascar. Tropical islands ranging from tiny and uninhabited to big(ish) and bustling, peppered the waters. I was sure we had found heaven.

A Rare Experience: Father & Daughter VolunteersWe touched down in Nosy Be, a Madagascan island close to Nosy Komba: the home of MRCI. I was overwhelmed with excitement when we met two friendly members of the MRCI staff, and my excitement only grew as we piled into cars with some other volunteers and cruised through the jungle to get to the port

Finally, we boarded small, motorized boats to go from Nosy Be to Nosy Komba. Sitting practically on top of the other volunteers we had just met, we made way across the ocean to the nearby island. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The waters around Nosy Komba are a crystalline turquoise. On either side of you, islands jut up out of the water, their steep slopes reaching dramatically into the clear, blue sky. Locals peacefully floated by while fishing from their perogues – small, wooden dug-out canoes. They waved to us as we passed, greeting us with a friendly “m’bola tsara” – a greeting we would get used to saying tons of times every day. Realizing I got to spend an entire month in this paradise had me thrilled, but I was nervous about one thing.

I had decided to volunteer for MRCI on the marine project almost an entire year ago. Then my dad decided to join me. I was extremely excited that he was coming with me. I love my dad, and I hardly ever get to see him. I knew diving together and learning about the oceans – passions we both share – would be the best thing we had ever done together. Being in such a gorgeous part of the world would only add to the experience, but I was nervous about how the other volunteers, who were mostly close to my age (19-25) would react to my dad. I thought they might find it strange that we had come together. I was afraid he might not feel included or that the age gap would cause people to snub him.

A Rare Experience: Father & Daughter VolunteersI’ve hardly been more wrong about something in my entire life. From the second we stepped on camp I knew having my dad around was not going to be a problem – in fact it has greatly enhanced not only my experience, but also the experiences of everyone here. Of course this is largely due to the fact that my dad is an amazing person – smart, athletic, laid back, and personable – but I think it has even more to do with the kind of people that the volunteers are.

I’ve learned that you should never worry about the character of people who choose to spend their time and money in a remote location, with only the most basic comforts, working for a cause bigger than themselves. The other volunteers and staff members I have met at MRCI are open-minded, worldly, inclusive, and so curious and excited to learn. None of them saw the age of my dad as anything but just another number. In fact he quickly made a name for himself as one of the most pleasant and interesting people on camp. His years of experience only made his stories more enthralling. I always found him having the most intriguing discussions with people, which only allowed me to quickly make more friends. Now that we’ve all gotten to know each other better we tease one another about how my dad, who is close to 60 years old, is the most in shape and active volunteer. He puts us all to shame.

A Rare Experience: Father & Daughter VolunteersWhile I was completely wrong to worry about how people might judge our little family trip, I was right that our time on Nosy Komba would bring my dad and I even closer together. We go on dives to two of four reefs in the area every single day; we walk to the nearby village at least three times a week and eat street food while greeting all the smiling faces of locals we have come to recognize; we visit other islands on the weekends, swim in waterfalls with area kids, drill each other on the names of fish species on the reefs until our heads explode, go for daily swims for exercise, and so much more.

Marine volunteering is amazing. Madagascar is amazing. My dad is amazing. But these three factors coming together at once have allowed me to appreciate each of them more than I ever could otherwise. I can’t wait for my next opportunity to do marine volunteering; I’m pledging to return to Madagascar one day; and seeing how much people respect my dad has only made me respect him more. I would highly recommend this program to families and I can’t wait to travel more with my dad in the future”.

Tom had one of the most fulfilling experiences of his life:

A Rare Experience: Father & Daughter Volunteers“Old guys like me don’t usually get to do cool stuff like this, but when my daughter, Grace, planned a month research experience in marine biology on a remote island in Madagascar, I just had to ask if I could come. To my surprise, she said yes! The remote island is called Nosy Komba, and it is the home of MRCI, a marine research and conservation institute.

Except that she gives me way too much credit, I concur with Grace’s description of Nosy Komba and the excellent program here at MRCI. In addition to marine biology, they offer volunteer experiences in forest conservation, teaching, and construction – and the professional staff members take their missions seriously – they spend a lot of time training volunteers to ensure that make a valuable volunteer contribution. But it’s not all work and no play – there is plenty of time for fun, and volunteers go off on weekends to enjoy this naturally beautiful and culturally intriguing part of the world. We only spent one month. We could have spent a year and continued to grow personally the whole time.

Volunteers Spend a Day on Nosy Tanikely, MadagascarMy reasons for coming were to have fun while giving back, but mainly to support Grace in her adventure. Due to the kindness of the staff and other volunteers in including me, it has been a wonderful adventure for me as well. It has been a time when my daughter and I could face new challenges together and strengthen our bond as we came to understand and appreciate each other better. It has been truly awesome for me to watch Grace improve as a SCUBA diver and develop her skills as a marine biologist – the staff well appreciates that she learned to identify fish a lot faster and more effectively than I did!

This experience has been among the most fulfilling experiences of my life, mostly because it has brought me so much closer to my daughter. Are you an old-ish guy (or gal) who dreams of doing some really cool stuff with your young-adult child (or children)? If so, then I cannot recommend this program more highly”.

If you wish to join one of our volunteer programs, fill out our online application form today.