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I was a volunteer in paradise, I mean Madagascar, for 20 weeks with Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute via IVHQ, and in this time I discovered something very particular about this country, it makes time weird. On one side it feels that it was only a few days that I was living on camp, time flys in Madagascar. On the other when I came back to Mexico I did not feel that I was coming back home, I felt like I was leaving home. Like I had been there forever, and that is what Madagascar does, the culture, the people, the views, it all makes you feel something, something I can not quite explain myself. It's crazy to think that spending your days diving in the most gorgeous reefs, getting the chance to study amazing marine life, and getting to hang around teaching English to the cutest kids and kind people in the villages near camp is working as a volunteer. But here it is! and besides all this amazing things you know you are actually making a difference. that what you are doing with your time in that moment matters. There is nothing that can be compared to this, nothing more satisfying.
And the expectations i had? well, they were for sure exceeded. I came expecting to teach, to help, I left having learnt so much.
And in a way it all feels like a dream, like my very own Never Land. For me camp is the place where I discovered the me I like to be the most, the place where I've felt so loved and comfortable and free. The place that made me grow.
The people I met, the places I saw, it will all stay forever in my heart. Whatever happens next, Madagascar is now a part of me. So what did I get from my volunteering? I got a new family, an unconventional one but also a great one, I got tons of amazing memories and experiences and also I got me, I found me.
Thank you MRCI, for the best 20 weeks of my life.

Yours always,
POW!!

Upon arriving in Madagascar I had no idea what to expect but when I arrived on Nosy Komba it exceeded my greatest expectations. The camp is the most beautiful place in the entire world, waking up to the incredible view of Lokobe Strict reserve and the stretch of turquoise blue water in between never gets old and the thought of it as I am writing this review makes me miss it so much. I had so many great experiences while I was there and all I can say is go and experience them for yourself and I guarantee you won't regret it.

I've just spent 6 weeks out on Nosy Komba (an island in the north madagascar) teaching during my Gap Year and couldn't tear myself away! I extended my stay as much as I could and will definitely be going back to this beautiful country soon. The IVHQ program which links to the Marine Research Conservation Institute on the ground was a perfect way to learn the language and get to know the locals, great trips with fellow volunteers on weekends to! If you are thinking of going the Teaching is the program for you, no prior experience needed, just a willingness to jump in and make a difference. Contrary to the other programs (except construction) you really feel the difference you are making in the communities. There are five sites you teach in, all a little bit of a scenic walk away (half hour to an hour maximum) over sandy beaches, over rocks and in the jungle. There are both children's classes (around 10 years old) and adult classes, the schedules are very flexible so if you have a favorite it an be accommodated. The camp was a great buzzing atmosphere with young volunteers from all over the world in an assortment of basic but comfortable huts for 6. There is a lovely common area for reading in hammocks, card games, or just chatting as you overlook the reef with the abundant turtle colony poking their heads up now and again. The food is nice but repetitive with a base of rice and beans, sometimes with meat or fish and some vegetables, but we found ways to spice it up with avocado or curry powder. There is no wifi on camp which is quite refreshing, for a long stay it is easy to get a local sim card, but as a teacher you get access to wifi in some of the villages you visit so might not even need it. For charging devices there is a generator at camp which is on 2 hours a day, otherwise once again teachers have an advantage getting off camp and going to an internet cafe in Nosy Be or a lovely restaurant half hour away in Ampangorina. I loved my volunteering experience meeting so many wonderful people from all over as well as being so immersed in the local culture and making friends with the local students in our english classes. If you do end up applying then make the most of it! Join the facebook page and don't be afraid to ask for any advice. When you apply you can also tick the "Have you been referred to IVHQ by an IVHQ Ambassador or IVHQ Partner?" and enter my code (2f79a30c).

The four weeks i spent on the IVHQ program in Madagascar was incredible. I have completed many teaching programs around the world and i can confidently say this has has been the most enjoyable and rewarding program so far. The NGO (MRCI) is very well organised and supportive throughout your whole stay and the staff are great. The living area and meals were well worth the money. The actual teaching experience itself was probably the most rewarding thing i've ever done. You form an incredible bond with everyone in the local village from adorable 5 year old kids to 40 year old adults, they all show their appreciation for you every single day. One of the things i will never forget is how the children would shout my name and wave with the happiest faces i've ever seen! Thank you for everything. I'll never forget it.

I am coming to the end of my stay here at MRCI on Nosy Komba. I started as a volunteer in the teaching program and after 4 months became the teaching coordinator! The growth that i have seen in the project itself is overwhelming, you can really see the students improving and the impact you are making on the local community and school. In the six months I have been here we have expanded to a new school on Nosy Be, and our class sizes have grown noticeably. The day to day life is absolutely unbelievable surrounded by stunning views and loving locals and volunteers. My volunteer experience was irreplaceable and my time as an employee has taught me so much for the future. MRCI is currently, and always, looking for new enthusiastic teachers to join our team and continue the amazing work that is happening. I would recommend to anyone to either apply for a job within the teaching program, or at least consider volunteering with the teaching project here in Nosy Komba. It isn't something you will ever regret.

I had a great time meeting people around the world and getting close to them. I was in the forest for half of my experience here and it was a lot of fun getting data from all the lemurs and reptiles. The second half half of my trip was mostly in the water where i saw beautiful scenes. The thing i enjoyed most in Madagascar is the place is covered with life. The staff here in Nosy Komba were awesome and always there to help. overall my experience here was well beyond my expectations and I can't wait to see some of the friends i've made here again.

Echoing what someone else said in regards to the negative review; when you are volunteering in a third world country, you can't expect luxury! There will be bugs, basic facilities and basic food. Having said that - I was in Madagascar for 8 weeks and was able to see how drastically all these things improved! The owner of the campsite is very invested in making it as pleasant as possible for the volunteers and I loved the camp. It's beautiful and has such a friendly atmosphere!

To review the Forest Project itself: it was incredible. The lemurs were so interesting to study, always getting up to some new kind of mischief each day. I unfortunately was in a scooter accident my first weekend and couldn't make the hike to the wild lemurs (around 2 hour walk away) and so got to be very familiar with the village ones instead. It was great to be able to focus on them, I felt like I was making more of an impact because I was able to ID them better and such. The reptile and birding programs got going while I was there and are very interesting, already a few strange looking lizards and snakes have been seen - I'll be very surprised if some of what they find isn't a new species.

The Malagasy people are probably the friendliest I have ever met - safety is definitely not on issue on camp or in the village. The locals adore the volunteers and will do their best to help you out if you hurt yourself or anything! You will make lots of friends there as well, even if you are only in the village occasionally, which really adds to the experience of the project.

I signed up to teach for one month and half way through that time decided that I wanted to stay. I fell in love with the students, the neighboring village, beautiful camp, the staff, and wanted to make it a somewhat permanent situation. So I applied to stay as staff and thankfully, was granted a role within the organization.
I'm so very happy to have made the decision to volunteer and stay here with IVHQ.