Description

Looking for a wildlife experience like no other?

Then join Azafady in Madagascar and help to conserve the fragile and unique environment of southeast Madagascar as well as aiding the protection of the charismatic lemur species found nowhere else on earth. You also gain skills and experience in biological research methods, tree planting work, and practical work with local communities. You get all this whilst living and working amongst some of the most beautiful and remote parts of Madagascar.

The Azafady Lemur Research and Conservation programme offers interns and volunteers the opportunity to get involved in various aspects of on-going conservation work in southeast Madagascar, working with a multi award-winning charity. The project integrates research on endangered flora and fauna with community initiatives such as reforestation and environmental education.

Interns and volunteers can choose from two core modules which cover the different aspects of this conservation work. These 2-week modules in, Lemur and Biodiversity Research and Community Conservation, can be taken individually, or combined, so individual programmes can be between 2 to 10 weeks long.

Lemur and Biodiversity Research:
The focus of this module is to investigate the impact of forest fragmentation on lemur, reptile and amphibian populations by collecting data in the littoral (coastal) forests in Sainte Luce. Volunteers collect data on many Lemur species including the collared brown lemur, woolly lemur, fat-tailed dwarf lemur and the brown mouse lemur. Additionally, biodiversity work involves "sweeping" the forest floor searching for reptiles and amphibians - many of which are categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List - seeking out species inhabiting palms, logs and leaf litter.

Community Conservation:
The Community Conservation module encompasses the human dimension of conservation in the Sainte Luce region; focusing on environmental education of the children in Ambandrika village (one of the three hamlets in Sainte Luce) with interns and volunteers preparing and presenting environmental education lessons assisted by our partners and translators, combined with the implementation of the fuel-efficient stove project and the planting and evaluation of the critically endangered palm, Dypsis saintelucei.

Accommodation:
Camping facilities are provided throughout the programme, although volunteers going for longer than 4 weeks do need to bring their own tent. Facilities are basic but there will always be latrine and private washing facilities. Electricity and piped water are available when in Fort Dauphin, however in the field, water is collected and then treated from rivers and wells. In St Luce you will be camping in one of the most beautiful areas of Madagascar, with idyllic long sandy beaches and fantastic exotic forests just a short walk away.

Food:
All meals are provided throughout the scheme. Meals mainly consist of rice, beans, vegetables and fruit. Fish (or eggs for vegetarians) are provided when possible. The best possible treated drinking water is always available.

Why intern with us?
Azafady is not alone in offering you the opportunity to spend a part of your life overseas. What makes us different is that we are a UK registered charity (number 1079121) and our programmes are not-for-profit schemes. Funds generated from the programmes are invested right back into our projects in Madagascar, rather than into a private company. By joining one of our programmes we can promise you a genuine, worthwhile volunteering experience. Our volunteering projects are also award winning. We are proud to announce that we have been named "Best Volunteering Organization" at the 2007 Responsible Tourism Awards.

Highlights

Set in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa, Madagascar is the world's fourth largest island and is recognized as one of the planet's top conservation priorities. Eighty percent of the island's plant and animal species (including 71 species of lemur) are found nowhere else on earth. The Azafady Conservation Programme offers a unique opportunity to make a significant contribution towards helping some of the world's most threatened flora and fauna, while tailoring your experience to your own needs and interests, gaining field skills in anything from Lemur Research to environmental education with local communities.

Intern Types

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

from 870 (at current exchange rate)

Cost Includes:

• Food
• In-country orientation/Training

Program Fees Include:

Each applicant must generate a donation to be given to Azafady UK (registered charity number 1079121). This minimum donation is a donation to support the charitable work of Azafady. Funds generated by the program support Azafady's projects in Madagascar, with some 90% of all donations being spent in direct pursuit of our charitable aims.

Don't let the size of the required donation put you off! Azafady is there to support volunteers in raising this donation, with a wealth of fund-raising experience and resources available to volunteers.

Minimum donations are as follows;
First 2-week module GBP 600
Second 2-week module GBP 550
All further 2-week modules GBP 500

Please Note: Applicants from outside the UK must raise a donation equivalent to the UK Sterling amount based on current exchange rates.

This is made up of an initial deposit which secures your place on a particular scheme, and the remainder of the balance which is due at the latest three weeks before departure. We are of course delighted if volunteers are able to raise more than the minimum donation. Once we've received your application form, one of our experienced Regional Coordinators will give you a call to find out if you have any further questions or simply if you want to find out what volunteering is all about.

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Animal Welfare
• Biological Research
• Conservation
• Environment
• Volunteering
• Wildlife Surveying

Typical Volunteer

Azafady welcomes volunteers from across the world, primarily from the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia. All wish to participate in a grassroots volunteering experience but come from diverse backgrounds; those on a career break, taking a gap year or using their annual leave for an extraordinary holiday!

Age Range

18 - 65+

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Other
• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of 5 - 15

Application Process Involves

• Written Application
• Resume

Typically The Application Process Time is

5 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Azafady's Mission Statement

Azafady is a registered UK charity (no. 1079121) and Malagasy NGO working to alleviate poverty, improve well-being and preserve beautiful unique environments in southeast Madagascar. We are an award winning team that works alongside rural communities on humanitarian and sustainable livelihoods projects, helping communities to build a better future for themselves.

Year Founded

1994