PIONEER MADAGASCAR
Azafady is a registered charity who, with the help of interns from around the world, steps off the beaten track to respond to the directly expressed and urgent needs of some of the most marginalised communities and most threatened environments in the world. Based in south east Madagascar Azafady has a broad range of environmental, humanitarian and sustainable livelihoods projects working alongside local communities, offering interns an unforgettable experience and the chance to work on the frontline of an international grassroots organisation.
Madagascar
Situated off the east coast of Africa, Madagascar is one of the world’s top conservation priorities with some 80% of its animal and plant species found nowhere else on earth. However, while it may be environmentally rich, deforestation from slash-and-burn agriculture and other pressures threatens the local wildlife and with 77% of the population living on under $1.25 per day, access to education, health care and even safe drinking water is incredibly limited. Infant mortality is a horrendous 1 in 10 nationally - and as high as 4 in 10 in the extremely impoverished south east region of Anosy where Azafady is based.
What does Azafady do?
For over 15 years, Azafady have worked with local organisations to help change these shocking statistics by ensuring our projects are both useful to and requested by the local people. Using specialist knowledge and an award winning team of experienced project leaders, whether you choose conservation, construction or sustainable livelihoods programmes, our placements offer you the opportunity to gain invaluable experience as a member of a grassroots organisation by being involved in all aspects of your project from the start.
Who are the volunteer programmes suitable for?
If you are 18 or over and are interested in a career in conservation, development or international charity work, or just want the opportunity to be part of a team of likeminded individuals working towards a vital cause, a placement with Azafady is the ideal starting point. Our structured programmes allow you to develop existing abilities and learn new skills that can enrich your CV whether you want to pursue a career in conservation or community development, or want to take part in an international internship during a break from studying or work.
In fact our programmes consistently prove to be THE vital stepping stone for those looking to launch their careers in the international development or conservation sectors. Previous Azafady volunteers have moved on to employment in international organisations such as the International Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières MSF and even the United Nations – not to mention Azafady itself!
Your volunteer programme
Azafady’s placements are challenging but greatly rewarding and you can be sure that you will be an effective and valuable member of the project team from fundraising to working with local coordinators to achieve project aims. Your programme is all about practical learning; you’ll be encouraged throughout and given regular feedback on your development as you work towards your career or study goals. And it’s all done in the freedom of the outdoors, not sat in a lecture theatre - this is hands-on experience that will help you apply your existing knowledge to the real world and see how a leading-edge grassroots organisation operates.
The Pioneer Madagascar Programme
Living and working as part of the local community, you’ll work in three interrelated areas over the course of 10 weeks: community health; construction and sustainable livelihoods; environmental education and conservation. Depending on local needs at the time, you’ll help build schools in rural villages, teach English to help the Malagasy people benefit from growing industries such as tourism, build wells to improve access to clean water, contribute to education on the importance of hygiene and sanitation, maintain crucial tree nurseries to combat deforestation, and promote the use of fuel-efficient stoves. With Pioneer, you can gain university credits while gaining more specific skills for a future career in development or conservation.
The Pioneer programme runs 4 times a year, starting in the first week of January, April, July and October every year. The dates for 2013 are:
2013
- 4th January - 14th March,
- 5th April - 13th June,
- 5th July - 12th September,
- 4th October - 12th December.
In order to participate in Pioneer we ask volunteers to fundraise a minimum donation of £2000 (GBP or equivalent) for the 10-week programme (for the 5-week programme this is £1500 with an additional £100 for each extra week) - this is a direct charitable donation and as such we encourage volunteers to actively fundraise this with our help and resources, which also crucially raises awareness about Madagascar. And you can be sure that your donation is being invested into our projects in Madagascar, with 92% of all donations going directly towards the pursuit of our charitable aims.
Your donation will cover all travel costs during your projects, full training, all meals and use of campsite facilities, orientation and language classes in Madagascar, and a dedicated team to guide you. Separately, you will need to cover your own pre-departure costs including flights, vaccinations and visa, and a standard Country Registration fee of £95 paid to Azafady which is due 3-weeks before the beginning of your programme. The Registration fee covers all aspects of police and commune registration costs in Madagascar, as well as compulsory inclusion in Azafady’s comprehensive travel insurance policy.
Summary
An ideal introduction to frontline international development and conservation work across a broad range or project areas in remote and impoverished, yet stunning SE Madagascar.
Duration: 10 weeks (shorter durations are possible down to a minimum of 5 weeks). Cost: £2,000 donation (generated by fundraising and supported by Azafady), plus flights and a standard country registration fee (£95).
