How to Volunteer Abroad in Madagascar This serves as a dwelling place to different types of lemurs, chameleons, and butterflies, as well as a stunning display of fauna and flora. Nearly 75 percent of the animals that live in the pristine jungles of the country can be found only in Madagascar. The wide collection of wildlife on the island is one of the reasons why it is known as Rainbow Island.
Location and Demographics
Situated in the Indian Ocean and off the Southeastern coast of Africa, Madagascar parted from the mainland nearly 170 million years ago. Its capital is the vibrant city of Antananarivo, which is not only the country's largest city but also its economic center. The northern part of Madagascar is where its highest peak hails, Maromokotro. The western portion of the nation is characterized by grassy plains while the southern part is dominated by deserts and spiny forests. The eastern region, on the other hand, is a series of both manmade and natural lakes. Clearly the countries landscape is variable.
Madagascar also boasts a number of aboriginal groups which comprise over 90 percent of the Malagasy population. There are nearly 20 ethnic sub-groups, which contributes to the country's incomparable culture filled with ethnic diversity.
Climate
Madagascar typically has a hot climate with lower temperatures in the mountains. Seasons are mainly divided into two; one offering a rather cool, dry period during the months of May until October, which is an ideal time to travel to certain regions. Meanwhile, the months of November until April provide a hot season coupled with heavy rainfalls and a risk of typhoons which makes traveling by cargo boat dangerous, and overall travel less pleasant at times.
Language and Currency
There are two official languages spoken in Madagascar, Malagasy and French. The former has its origin from Indonesia and has 21 letters as found in the English alphabet. Malagasy is the language spoken by most of the nation’s population. French became an official language when Madagascar was colonized by France and it is widely spoken among the country’s educated population.
The Malagasy Ariary is of legal tender in Madagascar, the nation’s only currency. In terms of cost of living, items of necessity are usually more affordable in this country compared to many European or Western nations.
Food, Culture, and Activities
The traditional Malagasy food overwhelms with Southeast Asian influence as rice is a common staple in Madagascar, eaten almost every meal! It can be prepared in several ways, usually, with a sauced laoka or side dish. Another popular food which proliferates the street kiosks all over the country is the mofo gasy, which literally means Malagasy bread.
There are three prominent religions in the country namely, Traditional, Islamic, and Christian. Over half of the Malagasy populace faithfully practice the Traditional religion, which is also the predominant African religion.
Constitutionally speaking, gender discrimination is prohibited in Madagascar as women are, by virtue of law, equal to men. However, in reality, the latter remain dominant in terms of acquiring property and rights, as well as opportunities for employment. Women outnumber men and in general they live longer than men in Madagascar. They also marry at a young age and traditionally obey and serve their husbands while caring for their children. Overtime, there has been a high rate of abortion in the country, due to difficult access to contraceptives and other resources; at the age of 19, women often bear their first child.
A country of multiple cultures recognized for having numerous ethnic groups, the Malagasy people celebrate a plethora of festivals. But one of the most interesting is the Famadihina, or the Festival of Dry Bones, which offers an interesting way of honoring the dead. Part of the ritual is to open the tombs of their forefathers, wrap their corpses in silk cloth, and give them a proper party by hoisting their decomposing bodies around their tombs. Music is also an integral part of this festival. This tradition is believed to link the living to their deceased ancestors and takes place between July and September.
Volunteer Abroad in Madagascar
There are multiple program providers that spark the interest of participants interested in a meaningful and worthwhile volunteer opportunity in Madagascar. Programs available are mainly concentrated on service projects related to Wildlife Conservation, Health, Sustainable Development, and Teaching English. Typical volunteer locations are in the cities of Nosy Be, Fort Dauphin, and Andavadoaka. Furthermore, durations vary but usually last for around two weeks to just over a month.
For most programs, no special qualifications and no prior knowledge on the Malagasy or French language are required from volunteers. As long as volunteers are open to embracing new cultures, enthusiastic about gaining new experiences, and driven to make a difference, they can partake in these fulfilling programs.