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Community Development Volunteering
Community Development Volunteering

Nosy Komba Island, Madagascar

Community Development Volunteering

Trip Highlights

  • Be a volunteer and contribute towards the development of infrastructures where the entire community in Nosy Komba gets benefitted as a whole
  • The main aim of the project is to improve the lives and living conditions of the people
  • Opportunity to make a significant impact in a community that will embrace you as one of their own
  • Explore the gorgeous islands of Madagascar and indulge in knowing more about this unique African country
  • Make lifelong friends and return with incredible stories, photos, and memories

Overview

Overview

Join the Community Development Volunteering Program in Madagascar with Volunteering Solutions and contribute effectively towards making lives better for the people living in Nosy Komba. Being a developing island nation, there are several issues that people have to face in their daily lives. Our main aim would be to improve the lives and living conditions of the people, by maintaining existing community infrastructures and building much needed new facilities.

Among the various issues that are faced, running water and sanitation issues are among the most crucial ones. These problems are addressed by the team of volunteers as well as awareness is spread among the students about the environment.

Apart from that, transportation is another major issue. The absence of roads and motorized vehicles on Nosy Komba means that the local inhabitants face the daily challenge of crossing near impassable terrain to reach other nearby villages. Rainy season makes many of these routes even more difficult to negotiate. We assist communities by identifying these areas and building pathways and bridges to make these precarious routes easier to navigate. It also helps tourists to reach these interior places with are hidden gems of the island, thus, contributing towards the flourish of tourism.

Volunteers assist not only with the physical labor required to complete the projects but also with initiating additional fundraising campaigns. These fundraising efforts are invaluable, without which we would not be able to achieve our goals. A seemingly small contribution can make a noteworthy difference in the lives of the people living here.


Program Requirements

Program Requirements

If you plan to volunteer in Madagascar, you need to be at least 18 years old. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if you are accompanied by your parents. Volunteers should be highly energetic; have a positive attitude to make a change; possess a certain level of fitness, since the island life is not as easy as it might seem!


Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Being a volunteer for this project, your main roles would be:

  • Ensuring better living conditions to the local communities by contributing to the building and renovation of houses, roads, bridges, etc.
  • Spread awareness about good health & sanitation among the students.
  • Volunteers mostly work alongside community members using traditional building methods.
  • Help in fundraising campaigns etc.

Volunteer Work Schedule

Volunteer Work Schedule

Volunteers usually arrive on Sunday and the program will start from Monday.

MONDAY
07:30 Breakfast
08:30 Orientation Presentation
10:00 Health and Safety Presentation
11:00 Complete and sign forms and paperwork
12:00 Lunch
14:00 Walk to the neighboring village of Ampang for a tour led by staff
17:00 Return to camp (walk or by boat at a cost of 2,000 MGA/person)
18:00 Dinner
18:45 Daily Board Briefing

TUESDAY: First official day on project! Generally, you will be doing hands-on activities integrated with staff and other more experienced volunteers. Staff will go over activities and times after dinner on Monday so you know where to go.

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES:

Each program has morning and afternoon activities. After dinner each day, we have a briefing to go over activities for the following day.
NOTE: Schedule will vary depending on the project, tides, etc.

Sample Schedule:

05:00-07:00 Breakfast on camp
06:00-08:00 Start of morning activities on the project
12:00 Lunch on camp
14:00 Start of afternoon activities on the project
16:00-17:00 Volunteer activities for the day usually conclude
18:00 Dinner on camp
18:45 Board Briefing to go over activities for the following day


Living

Living

Airport Transfer

Volunteers should arrive on Nosy Be Fascene Airport for pick-up on Sunday before their start date. They will be met at the airport or boat port (if arriving overland) and transferred to the volunteer camp on Nosy Komba. The boat ride from Nosy Be to Nosy Komba takes about 45 minutes with the last boat of the day departing around 15:00. If volunteers not arrive in time for the last boat to camp, our staff will assist in getting them to their hotel (we can provide hotel recommendations).  The following day they will be met at a pre-determined time and place and transferred to the camp. If there is time before the last boat departs for Nosy Komba, our staff will give them a tour of the town of Hellville where they can purchase snacks, a local SIM card, draw money at an ATM, etc. It is important to note that in addition to time constraints with boat departures and tides, shops and stores all close for siesta between noon and 14:30/15:00 each day. 

For your departure:  You are responsible to arrange and pay for your own transport back to the airport, however, we are happy to help you book your transport as needed.

Accommodation

We have 2 accommodation facilities in Madagascar. The first one, Turtle Cove, is built into the steep slopes of Nosy Komba, which is a multi-level compound overlooking the spectacular coral reef below. Climb stone stairs up from an idyllic beach to the main house situated above the dive deck and take in the stunning view of the ocean extending far across all the way to Lokobe Forest Reserve on Nosy Be. The main house accommodates senior staff members and serves as a meeting place and hangout for volunteers during the day. Large decks line the front of the main house complete with hammocks, bean bags, and benches.

Volunteers can expect to share a hut with four to six other volunteers and will need to bring their own bedding and towels. The huts have several bathroom facilities equipped with running water, flush toilets and cold water showers. There is also a work area for volunteers as well as lockable storage boxes available for each hut to store small valuables. Volunteers should also bring a padlock to secure personal items in their luggage when not in use.

The second camp is located on mainland Madagascar in the small remote village of Ampohana. Volunteers are accommodated in communal A-Frame bungalow fitted with double bunk beds. Our camps are eco-friendly with solar-powered lighting throughout. There are no charging facilities for electronic devices; volunteers are encouraged to bring a solar panel and battery pack to keep their devices charged. Charging ports are available in the neighboring village of Ampang, about a half-hour hike from camp.

We do have an onsite generator for staff use located at our main camp, though volunteers are welcome to charge small devices (no laptops) from this if there is space. Bear in mind that in an effort to go green, the use of the generator is minimal, sometimes only once per week or less.

It'll be great fun to live this life away from the network, where you'll get ample time to bond with your fellow mates, share your stories and plan out how to make a difference.

Meals

Three meals per day are provided seven days per week. Each meal is prepared by our on-site cooks using traditional Malagasy cooking methods using fresh, locally grown, seasonally available produce. Most meals have a rice base with beans and vegetables on the side (or over rice).

Fruits and vegetables served will change depending on the season and availability of local produce. Some meals will include fish/seafood, beef (zebu), or chicken. Meat, when part of a meal, is typically prepared with a sauce, cut into small pieces, and served over rice. In addition to bananas, breakfast usually consists of either baguettes and jam, eggs or crepes.

There is a vegetarian option for all meals. Due to logistics and the limitations of our remote location, we cannot provide a vegan option. Vegans can help themselves to the vegetable-based foods prepared, but will also need to supplement their diet with foods purchased off camp.  If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know. We will do or best to provide accordingly, however you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home.

Know that you are volunteering in a remote region of a developing country and flexibility is necessary.

During your Free Time

A few popular weekend activities/places to visit are listed below.

  • Lokobe Forest Reserve
  • Discovery SCUBA Dive
  • SCUBA Dive Training
  • Explore different areas of Nosy Komba with a local guide and learn about medicinal plants, the endemic wildlife and more
  • Tanikely Natural Reserve
  • Visit Nosy Iranja or Nosy Sakatia (swimming and snorkeling)
  • Whale Shark Watching (seasonal)
  • Visit the Sacred Tree or Sacred Waterfall on Nosy Be
  • Hike up Mount Passot on Nosy Be
  • Visit Lemur Land park on Nosy Be, or the Lemur Park on Ampang Village on Nosy Komba
  • Ankarana National Park
  • Amber Mountain National Park
  • Visit plantations on the mainland in the city of Ambanja
  • Visit the city of Diego Suarez including the Emerald Sea, the Three Bays, Tsingy Rouge rock formation and more

Dates

Dates

2024

2025

January

07

14

February

04

18

March

03

17

April

07

21

May

05

19

June

02

16

July

07

21

August

04

18

September

01

15

October

06

20

November

03

17

December

01

15

January

05

19

February

02

16

March

02

16

April

06

20

May

04

18

June

01

15

July

06

20

August

03

17

31

September

14

October

05

19

November

02

16

30

December

14

Past Date

Available

Unavailable

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Costs

Costs

2 Weeks £646
3 Weeks £859
4 Weeks £1071
5 Weeks £1284
6 Weeks £1496
7 Weeks £1717
8 Weeks £1921
Extra Week £251

Please Note: -An application fee of £179 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

What are you Paying for?

  • 24 hrs Assistance and support from staff
  • Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
  • Orientation
  • Sleeping accommodation on camp for the program duration
  • Three meals per day, seven days per week on camp
  • Supervision and training by staff
  • Airport pick-up in Nosy Be
  • Transportation to program sites
  • Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)
  • Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)

What's NOT included?

  • Flights
  • Visa costs
  • Personal items
  • Travel and health insurance
  • Airport drop-off

Reviews

Reviews

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Frequently asked questions

Health and Safety

FAQ's Application and Program Details

Flights and Visa

Connect with Past Volunteers

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