25 trees will be planted on your behalf for every experience purchased, via our partnership with One Tree Planted.
See more at onetreeplanted.org
Overview
Nosy Be Culture Week gives you an original experience of the Malagasy lifestyle in Nosy Be. Your week will be filled with trips to various cultural and natural hotspots in Nosy Be.
Objectives
- The purpose of this program is to help you get an understanding of the manners, norms, and etiquette that is inherent in Malagasy society as well as show you around and introduce you to your new surroundings, helping you feel right at home in this warm and friendly community.
Impact
Volunteer experiences have a direct and positive impact on local communities by injecting money into the local economy through the purchase of food, transportation, and tourism activities. Volunteering is a great way to give back to the comunity and make a difference in the world. Depending on the type of volunteer experience you are interested in, your time can be spent improving educational resources and opportunities, providing medical services to underserved communities, or promoting environmental conservation and sustainable farming techniques.
1% of gross sales will be donated to 1% for the Planet-approved charities via our partnership with 1% for the Planet.
See more at onepercentfortheplanet.org
Location
Nosy Be, Madagascar
Nosy is an island off the northwest coast of Madagascar. Nosy Be is Madagascar's largest and busiest tourist destination. It has an area of 320.02 square kilometers and its population was estimated at 73,010. Nosy Be means "big island" in the Malagasy language. The island was called Assada during the early colonial era of the 17th century.
Here you’ll find volcanic lakes, lemurs, rum distilleries, Ylang Ylang plantations and breathtaking coral reefs that are practically begging to be explored. In May, come to experience the four-day Donia Music Festival. Perfectly located on the Indian Ocean between Africa and Asia, Nosy-Be evokes feelings of discovery and adventure, the rich and endemic biodiversity will have begging for more. There are many spots that are perfect for ones who seek a golden opportunity to swim among turtles, stingrays or manta rays.
Itinerary
Sunday - Arrival
Arrive at Fascene Airport (NOS) in our pickup window on Sunday between 08:00 and 20:00
Monday
You will have an introduction to our team in Madagascar, exposure to our Code of Conduct, House Rules, Liability Waiver and Evaluation Forms. Also, you will get to know about Madagascar and Nosy Be, the country and its culture. After having lunch you will walk around the foot Mont Passot and hike to its peak for sunset.
Tuesday
After breakfast, you will walk from AMBATOZAVAVY to MARODOKA across NOSY BE's rural areas. You will enjoy a picnic lunch and join a local dance and have pastry class afterwards. In the evening join the Malagasy language lessons and learn some basics to make you feel comfortable to communicate with the locals.
Wednesday
On Wednesday morning, you will visit a place where a banyan tree grows. It's where people from NOSY BE and even the mainland make sacrifices to the ancestors to ask for blessings. When their "prayers" are answered, they come back to this Sacred Tree to wrap it with red and white linen.
In the afternoon, you will walk through Hell-Ville. Visiting the marketplace, discovering the old part of the town where the King lives, enjoying the colonial architecture of the houses at Court de Hell.
Thursday
In the morning, join a painting class with a local traditional painter who will guide you. After lunch, you will continue your language lessons through the afternoon.
Friday
On Friday morning, you will join Ampasipohy by car and by pirogue after. Once there, you will walk to the LOKOBE Community Forest's entrance spotting lemur species, birds and reptiles in lowland rainforest.
After lunch, you will go either to fish with a local fisherman or to the field. As for the former, you will discover the local way of fishing. For the latter, you will work in vanilla, pepper or pineapple fields.
Saturday - Departure
Leave the accommodation on Saturday and take a taxi to go to the Nosy Be airport (NOS) taking 30mins
Inclusions
- Shared Accomodation
- All meals included
- Free beverages
- Arrival Transfer (included with 2 wk+ trips)
- Wifi in public areas
- Departure Transfer
Options
More Information
Requirements
- minimum age18
- minimum english levelBasic
- CRB RequiredOn signup
- passport copy requiredOn signup
- resume copy requiredNo
Other Requirements
- Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for all participants arriving in Madagascar.
- Participants below 18 should have parental consent and participants above 65 should have medical clearance to take part in this program.
- Cover up as much as possible in the spirit of the local culture to avoid embarrassment.
- Your clothes must not be too short, too tight or too revealing. Kindly make sure your shoulders and legs are covered.
- It is completely fine to wear western clothes as long as they fit the local standards
- Be thoughtful of the graphics, symbols or text printed on your clothing and avoid wearing clothing styles that might be inappropriate
- Be thoughtful to poor communities by not displaying expensive items and clothes
- Wearing local clothes could help you build a good working relationship with the community
Food
The meals are a mix of Western and Malagasy food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables. You can expect to have a chicken dish about twice a week. You can also use the kitchen facilities to cook for yourself or eat out at any of the local restaurants at your own expense.
Accommodation
In our center, there is a dining room, a lounge area where you can hang out with fellow participants and a beautiful garden to relax. A balcony and large roof terrace is also available for you to spend some quality time.
Furthermore, there is a refrigerator which you are welcome to use to store food and beverages.
Cancellation Policy
Bookings can be amended and cancelled 30 days before the program start date without any costs. Bookings that are cancelled less than 30 days before the program start date will be charged the first week of the booking.
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