Madagascar Teaching & Community N.G.O. Internship

Madagascar's dramatic forest landscape is home to a fascinating diversity of life, lemurs, chameleons and a whole host of other species that are found nowhere else on Earth! Its fantastically beautiful coastline boasts coral reefs rich in marine life, perfect for diving and snorkelling, and silky sanded beaches ideal for soaking up the bountiful sunshine. Madagascar's culture is vibrant and diverse; you will find bustling markets full of multicoloured produce and hospitable locals shouting their wares.

Village schools are basic and teachers are in high demand; therefore your contribution will be extremely valuable. You will work with our staff to help teach conversational English to these impoverished children, help with environmental education, and participate in other community activities. This truly will be an incredibly rewarding experience in one of the most extraordinary destinations in the world!

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

• Awaken your creativity & initiative as you immerse yourself in local culture
• Discover strange and beautiful Madagascar
• Live in the volunteer house in the bustling town of Hellville
• Make lifelong friends with your team mates and co-workers

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

• CV required
• Minimum 2 month placement
• Relevant academic and teaching qualifications to at least degree level
• Experience of working in a school
• Criminal background check (DBS)

What Next? Apply Now!

WHAT DOES THE PROJECT DO?

The majority of primary school-age children and 36% of secondary school-age children attend school. However, schools are severely under-funded and there is an unequal distribution of educational resources across the country. Poor and rural communities can only attend seriously disadvantaged public schools.

The vast majority of the population speaks only Malagasy, and there is a lack of foreign-language teachers. Your help can give children and adults a sense of confidence, encourage their enthusiasm and ambition, and even improve their opportunities for the future. To teach, you will need to be patient, flexible, a confident communicator and able to use your initiative and imagination. It would be helpful to have beginner's level French, but you will have plenty of opportunities to learn! Lessons will be fun and interactive, developing the children's confidence and conversational skills. Over summer when there are school holidays you will be teaching adult classes either on camp or in the local church, which are essential. The local communities are extremely grateful for the support of the adult education classes.

Students will be interested in life where you come from. You may be able to get involved teaching other activities such as sports, music or science, if you are interested and have the relevant skills. There will also be the possibility of working with our field conservation programmes to arrange collaborations for environmental education.

WHAT WILL I BE DOING?

Your work schedule will cover a comprehensive, varied and enjoyable teaching programme which will engage you fully with your pupils and will awaken your creativity and initiative. You may be working with Frontier staff or you may be shadowing a local teacher at the school, or be required to take control of your own lessons, which will encourage you to formulate ideas and develop your teaching skills and techniques. You may be involved with activities such as assessing pupil's work, and producing an inspiring teaching strategy including preparing homework and assembling innovative and effective lesson plans.

As well as this you will have the opportunity to help with lots of extracurricular activities which will vary extensively depending on your personal skills and interests – whether it is helping organise a school show, playing football with the super competitive and highly skilled local kids. You may even get the chance to join the Frontier marine or forest camps for their regular Saturday night themed parties, depending on which school you join and your work programme. Whatever you decide, you are sure to gain huge satisfaction from inspiring these communities, whilst enhancing your own skills and experience significantly.

What Next? Apply Now!

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE?

Volunteers arriving weekly on a Monday will be welcomed by a Frontier representative at Nosy Be airport. From here it's a short taxi or minibus ride from the airport to the centre of this vibrant town at to your accommodation at the Community House.

Independent travellers arriving on dates other than weekly on a Monday can arrange a separate airport collection (extra cost; EUR 27GBP) by contacting the project staff in Nosy Be.

WHERE WILL I BE STAYING?

During the project you'll live in a wonderfully located community house, which is based in the centre of Hellville. You will experience a unique and memorable living experience. The house is approximately a ten minute walk from the local primary school where we base the majority of our work and has all of the principal amenities one would expect from such a setup – equipped kitchen, flushing toilet and running water shower! House life is however very simple, unsophisticated and fun and will give you as much as you are prepared to put into it. The ‘community’ feel of the house is excellent and you will be made to feel right at home.

WHAT WILL I BE EATING?

You will be provided with 3 simple and nutritious meals a day which will consists largely of locally sourced fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, rice, beans and noodles, most of which is purchased from the nearby market and thereby helps to support the local economy. Luxuries such as chocolate, peanut butter and Nutella are available in the town, so can be accessed if you wish to treat yourself every once in a while!

Part of your role in the volunteer house will be to help with the cooking. Creating spectacular meals over our marvellous kitchen stoves will become second nature: so get your cookbooks out now and start thinking up recipes! Also, with luck you'll be invited to local feasts and festivals – a great way to engage with local communities and discover local cuisines and cultures.

What Next? Apply Now!

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ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

A range of adventure and cultural activities like visits to remote villages, snorkelling, mountain treks and wildlife tours are available. You can arrange these in country which helps contribute to the local economy.

Scuba diving courses may be available (subject to availability of spaces and time constraints).

DIVING RATES

• Single Day Dive EUR 40
• Double Dive EUR 68
• 4-dive package EUR 135
• 10-dive package EUR 270
• Diving weekend package EUR 40 per person per night plus dive course cost (subject to staff availability)

COURSES*

• Discover Scuba Diving EUR 88
• Open Water Dive Course EUR 473
• Advanced Open Water EUR 446
• Medic First Aid EUR 176
• Rescue Diver EUR 473
• Dive Master EUR 1.013

*Medical certificate is mandatory for participation in dive courses

Modern conveniences

Hellville

• Attractions e.g. Lemurland, Donia Festival
• Banks / ATMs; Bank of Africa (BOA), BFV-Société Générale, BNI-CL
• Bars / cafes
• Boats to the mainland & Boat Hire
• Hostels and hotels
• Internet cafe
• Medical clinic
• Nightclub
• Pharmacy
• Post office
• Street food
• Supermarket
• Taxis to the rest of the island
• Telecom office
• Traditional markets
• Western style restaurants
• Western Union