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Community Development Volunteer Program in Madagascar

Community Development Volunteer Program in Madagascar

Eager to build your skills as a Community Development volunteer in Madagascar? International Volunteer HQ’s Community Development project empowers volunteers to help improve local infrastructure on the tiny island of Nosy Komba and its neighbours. Volunteers gain experience in construction and maintenance at schools and in the surrounding communities while undertaking vital upgrades and repairs that make buildings safer, functional and more attractive for the people who use them.

Highlights:
  • Programs start every first and third Monday of the month
  • Affordable fees from AU$802 for 1 week
  • Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
  • Help with renovation and maintenance projects that benefit the community

  • Explore the sublimely beautiful islands of Madagascar

  • Stay in a simple open-air hut on Nosy Komba

Key information

Improve infrastructure for the local community
Based at schools and in communities
Open-air hut accommodation
Volunteers aged 18+, or 16+ accompanied
Fully hosted experience from AU$802 for 1 week
Durations from 1 - 12 weeks
Discover Madagascar's amazing wildlife
Up to 4 hours volunteering a day

This program is ideal for:

Handy volunteers who enjoy hard work and are willing to help out with a wide range of tasks. Because of the physical nature of the volunteer work and its sometimes remote locations, it’s important you also have a good level of fitness to participate on this project.
Who is this program suited to?

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

Much of Madagascar is in desperate need of new and improved infrastructure to enable schools and communities to function more effectively. There are often few resources available and volunteers provide help that enables these construction projects to be completed for community use as soon as possible.

As a Community Development volunteer you’ll be based in small village schools, where our Teaching project volunteers work, and assist on community projects around town and on the nearby islands. You can help with a range of general maintenance and construction, including:

  • Building and upgrading ablution blocks
  • Painting
  • Small construction tasks
  • Repairs

Volunteer work can be physically demanding at times as supplies often need to be loaded on and off boats. It can also be extremely warm and humid in the area so often the work day is split into several small shifts and you can be working across a variety of different projects during your time on the program.

Your exact placement will depend on the skills you have to offer, the amount of volunteers on the project and the ongoing work that’s in progress at the time of your trip. Volunteers can sometimes spend nights away from the main camp accommodation if completing a project on an island other than Nosy Komba.

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

As job losses escalate as a result of Covid-19, it is estimated that nearly half of the global workforce is at risk of losing their livelihoods. We must improve access to jobs, decent work conditions and community services in order to achieve peace, sustainable economic growth and a better quality of life for all.

Why do Community Development volunteering in Nosy Komba with IVHQ?

When you volunteer in Community Development in Madagascar you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

  • Helping with important improvements to infrastructure
  • Making a visible contribution to to the community
  • Developing your communication skills
  • Gaining building and renovation experience
  • Immersing yourself in Malagasy culture
  • Living on the tiny, beautiful island of Nosy Komba

Volunteer requirements

  • A good level of physical fitness and agility is required to join the Madagascar program
  • Volunteers aged 16-17 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or friend over the age of 18 to participate in this program
  • All volunteers are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 16-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
  • All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
  • All volunteers must speak fluent English
  • While fluency in French or Malagasy is not a prerequisite, we recommend volunteers learn some basic words and phrases as this will help immensely with day-to-day volunteer work and communicating with local people.
Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

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What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

LD
Luis Da Silva
11 Oct 2023

This experience has opened my eyes to the world of travelling. It has shown me that there is so much more to learn and so many places in the world where you can help because they need it.

...
EH
Emma Halliday
08 Aug 2023

The teaching program in Nosy Be and Nosy Komba was the most rewarding three weeks. I gained friends for life, both the other volunteers and camp staff, as well as the locals and students who I taught during my time there. Everyone was so kind and happy. It has taught me a lot about the Malagasy culture and way of life, along with things about myself and what I'd like to be doing in the future. My advice to other volunteers would be to absolutely go and enjoy every minute! It is a beautiful part of the world, with an incredible community. The classes are relaxed, and there is enough time to plan lessons during the week. The students are so eager to learn and will ask you any questions they have. There is a teaching book that keeps a record of what the students have learned previously so you have a good understanding of what to revise with them and then what to teach. Be creative with your lessons and take the time to understand where the students need more practice/what works well for them. You will love it!

...
KG
Kasia Gasior
18 Jul 2023

One month was too short and I wish I could've stayed for MUCH longer! I hope and plan to return for a longer period one day :)

Ampang has my heart! I went into this program having zero idea what to expect, I just always knew I wanted to teach English in Madagascar. The whole experience exceeded any expectations by 1000x. The staff is awesome, I've made so many close friends there and I loved learning the language and about the culture. Teaching there has made a huge impact on me and I am forever grateful for the experience and opportunity.

...
LM
Lucy Morison
21 Jun 2023

Words can not describe how amazing and unforgettable this trip was, I met so many amazing people, learnt the Malagasy language, enjoyed their fast and joyful music taste, tried out lots of different new foods in restaurants and fell in love with the beautiful scenery. My favourite moments involved the incredible wildlife that we got the privilege to see, including lemurs, frogs, chameleons, many species of birds, snakes, turtles, and other sea life. These trips make me feel so fortunate and grateful for what I have and continue to motivate me to want to help and care for the world we live in.

I saw my confidence and independence grow as a person and love the person that I am becoming. I think that volunteering with organisations like IVHQ is an amazing opportunity to travel in a safe environment where you are never truly alone. You will not regret taking that first step and when you do you will wonder why you didn’t do it sooner!

...
SH
Sam Hynes
05 Apr 2023

The local team were very welcoming and all around helpful, and I loved meeting the local people and fellow volunteers. The experience opened my eyes to the wonders and huge inequality in the world and I would recommend others to do it - it's worth it.

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

Academic course credit through International Volunteer HQ and Intern Abroad HQ.

Academic course credit

Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!

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Volunteer Abroad in Madagascar with IVHQ

Location

There’s far more to Madagascar than its famous lemurs. As well as its impressively vast diversity of wildlife, the island nation off the south-eastern coast of Africa has an interesting marriage of French, African and Southeast Asian cultures; breathtaking scenery and dreamy beaches.

It’s also a place where the majority of people don’t have good access to food, healthcare, education or other basic necessities. While there are steps being taken to improve this situation, Madagascar remains one of the most impoverished countries in the world. Volunteers can be part of the solution by choosing projects that have a meaningful impact on the lives of local people and support communities to help themselves.

The IVHQ Madagascar ​volunteer ​abroad program is based on the slopes of Nosy Komba, a small i​sland off the northwest coast of Madagascar and only a few kilometers from the larger island of Nosy Be. Project work can take place on Nosy Komba, Nosy Be, Ampohana and the surrounding islands. Nosy Komba has a string of small villages but few modern conveniences.

Please note this program requires volunteers to be physically fit as the location of the accommodation and placements require volunteers to hike up difficult terrain​ ​including​;​ boulders, hills and stairs.

Arrival and orientation

The program orientation begins on the first and third Monday of every month. Volunteers need to arrive in Nosy Be on the Sunday before orientation, before 12 noon.

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive in Madagascar. There are two options for flying to the Madagascar program - Fascene Airport (NOS) in Nosy Be is the most convenient for an airport pick-up, however, flights to Nosy Be are limited and often more expensive than flights to Ivato Airport (TNR) in Antananarivo. Some volunteers choose to fly to Antananarivo and take a connecting flight or overnight bus (and boat taxi) to Nosy Be. If you are interested in taking the bus, please reach out to your Program Manager for more information once you have registered. If you want an easy arrival, we recommend flying to Nosy Be.

There is also the option of private overland transport from Antananarivo to Nosy Be. The cost of this depends on how many volunteers are sharing the transport and if you choose the 2-day transfer or the 4-day tour. Please contact your Program Manager for more information on these options.

If flying into Fascene Airport (NOS) in Nosy Be and arriving before 12 noon, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation on Nosy Komba. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation. If your flight arrives after 12 noon, you will still be met at the airport but will need to stay in Nosy Be for the night to then travel by boat to Nosy Komba the following morning. This night of accommodation will be at your own expense and you will need to book this in advance of your arrival. Your IVHQ Program Manager will be happy to send you recommendations of affordable hotels in Hellville that are within walking distance of many shops and restaurants.

If you are travelling in Madagascar prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Nosy Be before 12 noon on the day before your program orientation. You will be taken to Nosy Komba by boat.

Orientation is hosted by our Madagascar team at the volunteer accommodation on Nosy Komba. Orientation begins on the morning of your chosen start date and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Madagascar – an introduction to Madagascar, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities and an introduction to project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers.

Volunteer schedule example

First day

You will be taken to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with. Volunteers work for approximately 5 to 8 hours per day.

Weekdays

Volunteers work for approximately 5 to 8 hours per day, but start times and daily workloads depend on the project. A typical schedule is as follows:

6:00 - 8:00 AM Breakfast at camp prepared by our in-house cooks.
8:00 - 11:30 AM Volunteers travel to and begin projects.
12:00 PM Lunch at camp prepared by our in-house cooks.
1:30 PM Volunteer afternoon activities begin.
4:00 - 5:00 PM Volunteer activities for the day typically conclude.
6:00 PM Dinner at camp prepared by our in-house cooks.
6:30 PM Board briefing to go over activities for the following day.

Weekends

There is no shortage of things to do on Nosy Komba, Nosy Be or Ampohana so volunteers can fill their free time with adventurous activities, or simply take in the ‘mora mora’ or ‘slowly, slowly’ Malagasy way of life.

Nosy Komba itself is a popular tourist spot for buying local crafts from the winding markets and beachfront stalls. There are also opportunities to join local village guides to encounter friendly lemurs and see other Malagasy wildlife and plants.

The neighboring island of Nosy Be can be reached in 30 to 45 minutes by boat taxi and is a popular destination for volunteers during the weekend. Taxis are available on the island and can be taken to most areas including the sacred lakes, beaches and waterfalls of Nosy Be.​ ​

Volunteers staying for longer durations, or who wish to travel before or after their program, can visit areas further afield on the mainland of Madagascar. The most popular destination is Diego Suarez in the North. En route from Nosy Be to Diego Suarez, volunteers can visit the Ankarana and Mont d’Ambre National Parks. In Diego Suarez, there are plenty of adventure-sports activities on offer, such as kite boarding or quad biking on dunes, or snorkeling in the Emerald Sea. Horse riding and deep sea fishing trips can also be arranged from Nosy Be. Volunteers can also visit the Avenue of the Baobabs, in the Menabe region of western Madagascar, where beautiful ancient trees line both sides of the road between Morondava and Belon’i Tsiribihina.

Looking for more ideas of things to do in Madagascar? Check out our Madagascar Travel & Tours page!

Accommodation and WiFi

Volunteers are accommodated in locally built open-air huts on Nosy Komba and can expect to share a hut with up to five other volunteers of the same gender.

Bedrooms have bunk beds and there are basic cold shower and flush toilet facilities on-site. Volunteers are expected to contribute to ensuring the bathrooms and huts are kept clean and tidy.

Lockable storage boxes for volunteers are available in the main house, however volunteers should also bring a padlock to secure personal items in their luggage when not in use. Volunteers are required to bring their own towels and sheet, pillow, pillow case, mosquito net and thin sleeping bag/top sheet. It is hot in Madagascar and most people only require a sheet to sleep under, although in the cooler months from June to August, a blanket or sleeping bag may be required.

Power for lights is supplied from solar panels and there is a backup generator for staff that may run 1 - 2 hours per week. Volunteers are encouraged to minimize the amount of electronic equipment they bring as the camp only has limited power points available to charge devices. As there is no other electricity at camp we recommend volunteers bring solar chargers for their devices, if possible. The accommodation is fairly isolated and only accessible by boat or a 30 minute walk across boulders and uneven terrain to the nearest village for WiFi and charging.

WiFi is accessible in the local village and you can also purchase a local SIM card with data for an unlocked mobile phone when you arrive in Madagascar.

Meals

Volunteers are served three meals per day, prepared in the traditional Madagascan style by an on-site Malagasy cook.

Meals are basic, but nutritious and tasty. Breakfast ranges from pancakes to eggs or bread with condiments.

Lunch is rice or pasta based, and dinner is rice based. Both lunch and dinner will usually be either chicken, zebu (beef) or fish, all with vegetables, beans and sauce. Volunteers working on a placement which requires them to be away from camp during lunch time can organise a packed lunch, through the local team, the night before. Supplies in Madagascar are limited and meals will change seasonally depending on the ingredients available on Nosy Be.

Please note that the local team is not able to cater for special dietary requirements​ or requests and meals are usually carbohydrate heavy. You should not expect to eat as you normally do at home and there is the need to be flexible or prepared to supplement the food provided. If supplementing food, volunteers must note that there is no refrigerator and the kitchen is not available for volunteer use as it is a traditional kitchen. Volunteers can store non-perishable items at camp or can eat out at local restaurants.

A small canteen is available on Nosy Komba for volunteers to purchase snacks. Snacks should be stored in containers located in the dining area.

Pricing

  • USD
Duration
Program Fee
Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
  • USD
1 week AU$801 Equivalent to AU$114/day
2 weeks AU$1217 Equivalent to AU$87/day
3 weeks AU$1650 Equivalent to AU$79/day
4 weeks AU$2083 Equivalent to AU$74/day
5 weeks AU$2515 Equivalent to AU$72/day
6 weeks AU$2948 Equivalent to AU$70/day
8 weeks AU$3813 Equivalent to AU$68/day
10 weeks AU$4678 Equivalent to AU$67/day
12 weeks AU$5544 Equivalent to AU$66/day
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • 24/7 in-country support
  • In-country program orientation
  • Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
  • Airport pick-up
  • Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
  • Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
  • Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

  • All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately AU$528) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services. IVHQ fees are priced in USD but you may elect to pay in AUD.
  • A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
  • Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check and return to the airport when your program finishes.
  • Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Madagascar generally find US$50-100 per week to be sufficient for expenses.

Check what's required to visit Madagascar

Safety and support with IVHQ

Safety and support

IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

  • All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
  • All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
  • All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
  • All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Capital Antananarivo
Population 26.97 million
Languages Malagasy and French
Currency Malagasy Ariary (ARA)
Time zone UTC+03:00

Weather and climate

The climate of Madagascar varies due to the topographic differences and trade winds from the Indian ocean. Typically the climate is tropical along the coast, temperate inland and arid in the south. There is a wet, warm season from November to April with most rainfall covering the eastern coast. There is a cooler, dry season from May to October. Temperatures fall between an average of 18°C (64°F) to 30°C (86°F) throughout the year, with the lowest temperature dropping to 12°C (54°F) and highest reaching 36°C (96°F).

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