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English Classes in Banana Village

Author: Emily Borth

English Classes - Banana Village MRCI 1

Building Friendships through English Classes

On the island of Nosy Komba, just a half-hour hike from the main village of Ampang sits Antitorona. A mix of wood and concrete buildings nestled right on the beach make up this picturesque village, with winding stone pathways leading up the mountain and into surrounding forest. Also known as ‘banana’ village, it is aptly nicknamed after the school there with its yellow uniforms and brightly painted buildings. The quiet beauty feels as if you’re inside a story book complete with a castle-like water tower near the tree-lined outer edge of the village. Working on MRCI’s teaching and construction programs, you get the chance to spend time in these small villages and get a glimpse into the lives of the people here.

Two artisans, wood sculptors named Cell and Ariss reside here on the Northeast side of Nosy Komba in this idyllic village. They have been friends for a couple of years now, bonded through their shared skillset. Ariss, the older of the two has two children he works hard to support. Originally from the neighboring island of Nosy Be, he serves as a de facto older brother figure for the younger Cell, born and raised here in Antitorona. They make a living mainly from the thriving tourism industry on Nosy Komba. On most pieces, they work together taking it in turns as they hone their craft. Each intricately carved work of art can take anywhere from half an hour to more than three hours depending on its size and complexity. They create beautiful carved wooden pieces and sell them in a few shops in the main village of Ampang.

We got to know them a few months ago when they began attending English classes in Antitorona held three times per week. MRCI teaches beginner and advanced English classes there for children, teens and adults. Thanks to donations from our generous volunteers, we stocked the classrooms with pens, notebooks and other school supplies and even provided a new whiteboard. Since many tourists to the area speak English, Cell and Ariss are hopeful that with a better grasp on the language, they can increase sales. They dream of one day expanding their business further and maybe even opening their own shop.

Just a few weeks ago, they created a beautiful wooden sign for MRCI’s newly built plant nursery, commissioned by volunteers on the forest program. In recognition of their hard work on the project, volunteers named the nursery after our Forest Officer, Menjah and former Forest Intern, Charles. The nursery will forever be known as Marles’s Nursery, denoted with a beautifully carved wooden sign (thanks to Ariss and Cell).

Ultimately, that’s what volunteering with MRCI is all about: becoming part of the community, living alongside the people here and learning from them. Conservation work helps ensure a healthy ecosystem for generations to come. No one understands that urgency better than those who live here and depend on what nature produces year after year. Together, with whole-hearted community support and cooperation, we progress.

 

Read More About Our Volunteer Teaching Program!

 

English Classes - Banana Village MRCI 2

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute is at Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute.

6 days ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Look at the goodies we just recieved! As our volunteers and staff know, getting new eqipment, spare parts etc. is a real challenge! Luckily, @lunamoonsailing just arrived from South Africa, with a “boat-load” of spare parts, new aluminium tanks, a new generator and many other things! It feels like Christmas morning!#Madagascarvolunteer #mrci #nosybe #nosykomba #lunamoon ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute is at Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute.

1 month ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Thanks all for the funds that we received up until now ❤️ Solly has worked so hard to get where he is and we need your support now to achieving his final dream as a PADI Instructor in his professional diving career! 🎉If you feel like you could support Solly, click on the link below to donate! 🙏🏼🎉https://gofund.me/176e591d#madagascar #madagascarvolunteer #sollysdream #fundraiser #padiinstructor #PADIIDC2023 #PADIIDC2024 #paditv #localmarinebiologist #marineresearch #padiprofessional #futurecareer #gofundme ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute

2 months ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Look at these cool finds from one of our recent drift dives! Have you ever seen a nudibranch feeding train? #madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #volunteer #volunteering #forlocal #saveplanet #saveocean #sustainable #volunteeringisfun #volunteeroftheweek #conservation #motivated ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute is at Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute.

2 months ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Do you want to join our teaching program? We teach many different classes, at different levels and with many different age groups!In fact our classes are becoming so popular, that we have to double the number of classes per level! Join us via the link in our bio!#madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #volunteer #volunteering #forlocal #saveplanet #saveocean #sustainable #volunteeringisfun #volunteeroftheweek #conservation #motivated ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute is at Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute.

2 months ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
When we’re not exploring the island and surrounding reef, our volunteers prepare presentations to educate their fellow volunteers!Once presented on camp, we head to Be village, to present in a class filled with students who are eager to learn more about their surroundings!#madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #volunteer #volunteering #forlocal #saveplanet #saveocean #sustainable #volunteeringisfun #volunteeroftheweek #conservation #motivated ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute is at Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute.

3 months ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Look at this cool find! We see some cool stuff on our sunrise dives - yesterday we found 28 nudibranchs! Some of them over 14cm! #madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #volunteer #volunteering #forlocal #saveplanet #saveocean #sustainable #volunteeringisfun #volunteeroftheweek #conservation #motivated #oceanconservation #marineconservation ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute is at Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute.

3 months ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Sophie is teaching our local kids class🌞We love to see how the kids are so engaged and motivated to learn.To join our community program, check our link in bio! #madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #volunteer #volunteering #forlocal #saveplanet #saveocean #sustainable #volunteeringisfun #volunteeroftheweek #conservation #motivated ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute is at Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute.

3 months ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Did you know we go on night hikes every week?Lots of creatures are mostly active at night and look at this cool find! #madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #volunteer #volunteering #forlocal #saveplanet #saveocean #sustainable #volunteeringisfun #volunteeroftheweek #conservation #motivated ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute is at Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute.

3 months ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Meet our volunteer of the week Fionn! Along with forest officer Fedy and Donna, staff of the week!Fionn has been a great champion on Forest program and a great friend all around! 🦎#madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #volunteer #volunteering #forlocal #saveplanet #saveocean #sustainable #volunteeringisfun #volunteeroftheweek #conservation #motivated ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute is at Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute.

3 months ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Happy independence day! 🇲🇬🇲🇬🇲🇬#madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #volunteer #volunteering #forlocal #saveplanet #saveocean #sustainable #volunteeringisfun #conservation #motivated ... See MoreSee Less

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Contact Us

Madagascar Office: Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute, Home Sakalava, Rue R Tsiomeko, Hell-Ville, Nosy Be, Madagascar
Phone: +261 32 50 891 57
Office Hours: Please take note of the time zone differences when contacting us.
Email: volunteer@madagascarvolunteer.com

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