Madagascar is a country famed for its lemurs and stunning beaches; however, much of the country still lives in extreme poverty. With limited access to healthcare, education, and basic needs, large portions of the population are struggling. Volunteers can be part of the solution and make an impact by helping with a variety of projects, including improving infrastructure and education, working on construction projects, and helping teach English to local children. Additionally, volunteers can help with beach clean-ups and turtle conservation projects. The projects will take place on various islands, including Nosy Be (the main island), Nosy Komba (a smaller island off the coast of Madagascar), and other small islands.
During their time off, volunteers can explore the islands and go on adventure trips, including snorkeling, wandering local markets, wildlife-spotting tours, and relaxing at the beach. On the weekends, volunteers working on the smaller islands can visit the mainland and travel to destinations such as the Avenue of the Baobabs or partake in outdoor activities like kite surfing, quad biking on sand dunes, and diving.
This is a minimum 1-2-week and maximum 12-week trip that costs between $525 and $2190 for one week, depending on the program, led by IVHQ, a volunteer travel company with 338 projects in 50 countries, rated #1 Volunteer Travel Company by Go Overseas 7 years in a row. It is a cost-effective option with some programs as low as $20 per day with accommodation and meals included. They are a Certified B Corporation, 100% carbon neutral and every project aligns with a UN Sustainable Development Goal.