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Given its isolation from the main continents, Madagascar is considered a biodiversity jewel: an exotic country with a high concentration of indigenous species, including 101 different lemur species. Out of the 285 bird species recorded in Madagascar, 105 are exclusive to the country. Three-quarters of Madagascar’s 860 orchid species are endemic to the island, and six out of the world’s eight baobab species are found only in Madagascar. Over 90% of Madagascar’s wildlife is indigenous, meaning it is not found anywhere else on the planet.
Madagascar’s cultural richness varies from one ethnic group to another. 18 different ethnic groups comprise the Madagascan population, whose culture is based on respect for their ancestors and the unity of the living population.
Madagascar is the world’s fourth largest island. It is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries; however, economically, it is also one of the planet’s poorest nations. 75.3% of Madagascan people are living beneath the poverty line, with the poor getting constantly poorer and the rich getting increasingly richer. Despite the extreme poverty, Madagascan society remains sincere for all those who take the time to discover it and enjoy its natural and cultural heritage. This land of smiles and contrasts is ready to take you on your next adventure, whether helping in its local communities or simply exploring the island. This island, found at the crossroads between the African and Asian worlds, is sure to surprise your senses.
Madagascar has a warm and subtropical climate, with cooler temperatures in the mountainous areas. There are two main seasons: the wet season, which spans from November to March, and the dry season, which extends from April to October. The duration of each season varies from one region to another.
Due to its vast size, Madagascar exhibits significant climate variations depending on your location within the country.
Madagascar is typically in the East Africa Time (EAT) time zone, which is UTC+3. However, it’s important to note that Madagascar does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST), so its time remains constant throughout the year. Please verify the current time zone for Madagascar as there can occasionally be changes or updates to time zones in different regions.
The official currency in Madagascar is the Malagasy ariary, with 1 euro equating to 4,017.45 MGA.
The programs are located in Nosy
The program timetables may vary since these are subject to local climatic conditions and unforeseen circumstances.
Volunteers will be given three typical Madagascan meals from Monday to Friday and two on Saturday and Sunday.
Volunteers should plan to arrive in Madagascar on Sundays between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM. This allows them to be transported to their accommodation, get some rest, and begin their volunteer program on Monday.
The programs are located in Nosy, an island lying off the north-east coast of Madagascar. Nosy Be is Madagascar’s largest and busiest tourist resort. It has a surface area of 320.02 square kilometres, with a population of roughly 73,010 people.
Nosy Be means “big island” in the Malagasy language. The island was known as ‘Assada’ during the early colonial period of the 17th century.
Volunteers participating in this program will have the opportunity to explore volcanic lakes, encounter lemurs, visit rum distilleries, Ylang Ylang plantations, and experience magnificent coral reefs.
If volunteers happen to be in Madagascar in May, they could attend the four days of the Donia Music Festival. Nosy Be is conveniently situated in the Indian Ocean between Africa and Asia.
There are many locations which are perfect for those who wish to swim amongst tortoises, rays and manta rays.
Volunteers are responsible for arranging their transportation to Fascene Airport in Nosy Be (NOS).
The arrival window is Sunday between 08:00 AM and 08:00 PM. Local staff will be available to pick up volunteers and assist in transporting them to their accommodation.
Volunteers will be given three typical Madagascan meals from Monday to Friday and two on Saturday and Sunday.
These meals tend to be a mixture of western cuisine and local gastronomy, which consists mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables. They’ll also be served a chicken-based dish approximately twice a week.
Volunteers are also free to eat in any of the various local restaurants.
Taxi Brousse
Taxis are cheap and can take you anywhere on the island. Furthermore, the taxi network is relatively well organised. The drivers and vehicles belong to transport companies known as “cooperatives”. Each cooperative usually has their own stall or salesperson at the taxi rank, where you can buy the tickets. There are national and regional services. National services cover long-distance trips all around Madagascar, departing from the capital city of Antananarivo. Regional services, meanwhile, take clients on a shorter journey from a large city to its surrounding areas.
Habal-Habal
These are motorbike taxis, which tend to be a tad cheaper than bike taxis.
Train
The train network was built during the colonial period. This linked Antananarivo with Toamasina, which is home to Madagascar’s first and largest port.
Currently, there are only trains from Antananarivo to Andasibe, which is home to the island’s most visited National Park (the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park), and from Fianarantsoa to Manakara.
By bus and mini-bus.
Within cities, buses and mini-buses can take locals and tourists from one place to another; especially from the outskirts to the city centre, with a set of fixed stops.
By “tuk-tuk” (rickshaw) or ciclo pousse.
Within the cities, tuk-tuks are starting to gain popularity. The colourful pousse (or rickshaw) is another popular way of getting around in some cities. The prices will vary depending on the distance of the journey.
Volunteers should plan to arrive in Madagascar on Sundays between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM. This allows them to be transported to their accommodation, get some rest, and begin their volunteer program on Monday.
Minimum stay: 1 week.
here are many places to visit during your spare time. However, you should note that Nosy Be is the best destination for water-based activities.
Nosy Be’s golden beaches are its biggest attraction, where you can swim, dive or simply relax in the sun.
Some of its beaches include:
Nature lovers and adventure seekers are sure to be in their element in the outskirts of Nosy Be, where indigenous species of diurnal and nocturnal lemurs; unique birds, reptiles and plant species; and other indigenous species of animals can be observed in these magnificent landscapes during the volunteer’s weekend trips around Nosy Be.
The objective of the project is to train young people to be social leaders. The volunteers live in a multicultural environment, work as a team to develop tasks or institutional projects, accompany the beneficiaries in their daily lives or through workshops, and collaborate with the needs of the centers and homes.
Social Inclusion of children, young people and grandparents in situations of social risk.
Attention to Centers and Homes for the protection and restitution of rights of socially vulnerable children, adolescents and older adults.
Social Action The volunteers committed to the project will work alongside the community, involving different actors in society and allowing the full fulfillment of the rights of all people.
Volunteers will have the responsibility of teaching basic conversational English to children of various ages in the rural villages of Nosy Be. Your role will involve assisting and supporting the teaching staff at a public school, as well as organizing and conducting extra-curricular activities. These activities are designed to inspire the children, helping them reach their full potential and expand their horizons through creatively structured lessons. Throughout the volunteer program, you’ll be working with children of varying ages and learning abilities. You will have the freedom to utilize your own teaching materials and methods, whether it involves using textbooks as references or engaging the children in English conversations. Teaching English is of great significance for these children, given that Nosy Be is one of Madagascar’s most renowned tourist destinations.
In this exciting program participants will be involved in important work to maintain and preserve Madagascar’s wildlife heritage through mangrove conservation. ESPACE ZENY is a cultural and ecotourism site just 10-minute drive from HELL-VILLE and 20 minutes’ walk. This site is bordered by a mangrove forest and consists of a centre dedicated to training young people – from the rural communities of Nosy Be and the mainland – in professional organic farming. As a participant in conservation, you will first learn about Nosy Be’s mangrove forest, its richness, uses and threats. You will first work on the design of an environmental teaching manual for children. Then you’ll be able to start our community environmental education outreach program, helping to highlight the importance of mangroves and their sustainability to local communities and schools. You will work on a mangrove seedling nursery. The young plants will first be used to reforest an exhibition site and living classroom for local children.
In this volunteer program, volunteers will contribute to the vital task of maintaining and conserving Madagascar’s wildlife heritage by collaborating with a private lemur rehabilitation centre. Through this program, you will gain insights into various iconic species of Madagascar, particularly those indigenous to this region. Additionally, you will learn about other distinctive species like the Madagascan fish eagle and the Ploughshare turtle. As a volunteer on this program, your responsibilities will include preparing food for the lemurs’ morning and afternoon feedings and cleaning their enclosures.
The Nosy Be construction and renovation volunteer program is conceived to help the small communities around the island. The objective is to build and renovate various schools, which are essential for the growth and development of young children and the local community. The volunteer responds directly to a local coordinator, who will provide him/her with orientation and training that allow them to work alongside local families and other volunteers. This project entails physical work and hard labour, with the volunteer tasked with laying bricks, doing carpentry work, painting, sealing, tiling, gardening and improving the community’s hygiene and sanitation facilities.
Teaching in a nursery represents a great opportunity to inspire children to learn and nurture their creativity. These young learners will soon transition to primary school, so everything they absorb during this crucial stage is of utmost importance. In addition to enhancing their language and communication skills, you will also play a role in fostering their life skills development. The more time and effort you invest in the local children, the more the families and the local community will embrace you and consider you as one of their own. Come and enjoy the experience of working in a local nursery in Nosy Be, where you will teach the children basic English in a fun and informal manner.
When volunteers arrive at the airport, they will be picked up by the local coordinator and transported to the volunteer house, where they will spend the following days with their fellow participants.
At the volunteer house, volunteers will be given three meals a day from Monday to Friday and two meals a day on Saturday and Sunday.
The volunteer houses have various 4-6 person bedrooms, separated by gender. There is also a bathroom and several communal areas, which are shared with the other volunteers.
After settling in, a welcome meeting will be conducted with the local coordinators and professionals. During this meeting, the volunteers will receive information about the area, learn about standard rules and schedules, and gain further insights about the program they’re going to participate in.
Volunteers will eat typical Madagascan food such as vegetables, potatoes, eggs, rice and fruit.
Laundry facilities are limited, so you may have to wash your clothes by hand.
We recommend that volunteers obtain their own local SIM card and purchase data, so that they can access the internet.
The total cost of volunteering is divided into 2 parts: The inscription fee that is paid to book your spot in the program (€210), and the program cost which is paid afterward.
€490 2 weeks
€245 additional week
€490 2 weeks
€245 additional week
€560 2 weeks
€280 additional week
€540 2 weeks
€270 additional week
€910 2 weeks
€455 additional week
If your currency is not specified in the list, you can convert the costs here.
Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, return transfer to the airport from the program, other personal expenses.
(***Volunteers in Madagascar generally find €20 (approx. US$25) to be enough for basic weekly expenses.)
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Our volunteers will be able to validate university credits with the aim of traveling in a more responsible and economical way.
What does volunteering focused on university practices involve?
At Cooperating Volunteers, we make agreements with different universities to validate university credits with the aim of traveling in a more responsible and economical way.
The specialties we work with are extensive: medical volunteering, nursing, education, social work, psychology, physiotherapy, engineering, architecture…
The practices can be carried out in our designated destinations for this purpose, as well as in Spain.
If you choose an international destination, it’s a unique way to live an unforgettable and enriching experience, as you will have the opportunity to continue your education in another country, with a completely different culture.
Stepping out of our comfort zone and being part of the various projects at the destination will allow us to grow both personally and professionally, creating a more extensive curriculum.
And we are fully convinced that this experience will accompany you throughout your life.
You will be able to visit hospitals, schools, centers, orphanages, and participate directly and actively in the daily lives of all those people at the destination, always accompanied by other professionals willing to collaborate hand in hand with you and guide you in daily tasks.
If your university is not part of the agreement with Cooperating Volunteers, you can contact cristina@cooperatingvolunteers.com so that we can get in touch and make this experience a reality.
Corporate volunteering consists of tailored programs for your company, designed to develop teamwork skills.
It is proven that teamwork directly impacts productivity.
Collective effort surpasses individual capabilities, promotes diversity of skills, stimulates creativity, and facilitates problem-solving in the face of various challenges.
Therefore, it not only maximizes efficiency but also enriches the work environment.
We conduct corporate volunteering programs that consist of customized programs for your company, designed to develop teamwork skills, improve performance, and foster unity among employees.
We tailor projects to the corporate identity and size of the company, and we can adjust them to any destination and time of the year.
The advantages of corporate volunteering include:
The future is aligned with a more responsible society, and participating in social projects positions our company among the list of revolutionary businesses that want to be part of the change.
If you resonate with this message, corporate volunteering is a unique experience both individually and collectively, and at Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany you throughout the process to make it a unique journey.
Quality time spent with family strengthens emotional bonds, promotes communication, and contributes to the emotional well-being of its members.
Spending quality time with family and being able to disconnect from our hectic routines is not only enriching but also necessary.
Sometimes we forget to communicate, connect, and dedicate time to each other. Each one of us lives focused on our jobs, schools… And it’s necessary to find the opportunity to pause and take care of ourselves.
Quality time spent with family strengthens emotional bonds, promotes communication, and contributes to the emotional well-being of its members. And of course, it creates lifelong positive memories.
At Cooperating Volunteers, we suggest moving away from those ‘more superficial’ trips (which can also be fantastic), but we invite you to live this experience to bring out our most empathetic and humanitarian side.
Family volunteering gives us the opportunity to be part of a positive impact, promoting values of solidarity and social responsibility.
There are many families who choose to experience these trips focused on cooperation and direct involvement with different communities around the world, where living conditions are very different and sometimes entirely precarious.
Projects are tailored to different ages, allowing us to work together.
An incredible way to fill our suitcase with memories, learning, and knowledge.
And although stepping out of our comfort zone often feels daunting, we assure you firsthand that it’s worth it.
At Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany you throughout the entire experience, from start to finish, to make it unforgettable.
At Cooperating Volunteers, we believe it’s never too late for anything, especially for volunteering and living a unique and unforgettable experience.
There are many people, increasingly so, who opt for responsible travel that involves social work.
Accustomed to organized and mostly touristic trips, at Cooperating Volunteers, we want to advocate for a more enriching experience, one that transforms us from within and allows us to be part of the change the world needs to see.
We can adapt both the destination and the duration of our projects to fit your needs.
It’s an opportunity full of emotions that allows us to significantly contribute to different communities and their evolution. And you can participate in different areas such as education, social support, or assistance in different centers.
Some of the benefits include:
Living this experience will undoubtedly be a before and after.
A volunteering initiative with leadership and impact through the educational action program.
When we talk about social volunteering, we refer to all those actions and activities carried out altruistically, selflessly, and with the aim of addressing multiple problems and needs of different communities, always focused on education and self-sufficiency.
Education is essential because it provides the tools and knowledge necessary for personal, social, and economic development.
Our goal is to create self-sufficient communities and provide opportunities for the future personal development of each member. The message is not to ‘give’, but to accompany in the process of training for self-managed provision.
At Cooperating Volunteers, many of our destinations and projects embrace this type of volunteering. Some of our projects include: community programs, education, women’s empowerment…
And although they are completely different from each other, they share a single objective: progress towards a society that can embrace us all in the same way.
If you are someone who is restless, who needs to see a change in the future, volunteering is an experience tailor-made for you.