Learn Achieve Become (L.A.B) - UK registered charity no.1174514
Volunteer in Madagascar
"I felt fortunate to have the opportunity to learn more about the reality of applying psychological thinking in an environment like Madagascar, where resources, understanding, and beliefs about disability are often so varied"
"Personally, I would rate the project 10/10... It was the most incredible experience and I learned and developed so much whilst visiting the Sunrise Centre"
"I am really grateful that I was given the opportunity to experience Malagasy culture, food and music... I truly feel that my experience in Madagascar has shaped me not only as a practitioner working with children, but also as an individual"
Madagascar project dates & Description:
As of March 2023, we will be continually accepting volunteers on our Madagascar project. All of our work takes place upon the picturesque island of Nosy Be, in the north-western Diana region of Madagascar. Lined with beautiful waterfalls, blooming green forests, white-sand beaches & various towns with many modernised bars & restaurants, Nosy Be is the perfect work/holiday destination.
At L.A.B, our volunteering experiences are totally immersive in Malagasy culture, especially in the Sakalava culture which is the dominant ethnicity in Nosy Be. During your stay with us in Nosy Be, you will be learning the basics of the Malagasy language (it's easier than you think), tasting the local Malagasy foods and living like a local.
We require all kinds of support for our Madagascar project, including assistance within our Sunrise Centre, educational support on our 'ny fianarantsika' free education program, sports coaching at our various sports clubs & English teaching support at our free English classes. To ensure that your volunteering experience is delivered with maximum efficiency, we want to create the project aligned with your interests, experiences and goals. For this reason, we always like to maintain close contact with our volunteers before their experience begins, ensuring that everything is planned to perfection.
At L.A.B, our volunteering experiences are totally immersive in Malagasy culture, especially in the Sakalava culture which is the dominant ethnicity in Nosy Be. During your stay with us in Nosy Be, you will be learning the basics of the Malagasy language (it's easier than you think), tasting the local Malagasy foods and living like a local.
We require all kinds of support for our Madagascar project, including assistance within our Sunrise Centre, educational support on our 'ny fianarantsika' free education program, sports coaching at our various sports clubs & English teaching support at our free English classes. To ensure that your volunteering experience is delivered with maximum efficiency, we want to create the project aligned with your interests, experiences and goals. For this reason, we always like to maintain close contact with our volunteers before their experience begins, ensuring that everything is planned to perfection.
Length of stay & requirements:
Although we are willing to accept any form of genuine support and assistance for any period of time, if you're looking to travel to Nosy Be specifically for a volunteering experience with us, then we recommend that you stay for a minimum of 2 weeks. This is just to ensure that we all can gain as much as possible from your time in Madagascar.
As your volunteering experience will involve you working in close contact with many vulnerable children and adults, we require all of our volunteers to complete a criminal background check before working with us.
Additionally, we would like to arrange a talk about your previous working experience and interests for volunteering in Madagascar - Again, this is all to ensure that the project can be delivered to maximum efficiency, leaving both ourselves and yourself satisfied when you return home.
As your volunteering experience will involve you working in close contact with many vulnerable children and adults, we require all of our volunteers to complete a criminal background check before working with us.
Additionally, we would like to arrange a talk about your previous working experience and interests for volunteering in Madagascar - Again, this is all to ensure that the project can be delivered to maximum efficiency, leaving both ourselves and yourself satisfied when you return home.
We are looking for:
Ideally, we need support from those who are qualified, experienced or studying towards working within the following fields:
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech-Language Therapy
- Education - Teachers / teaching assistants
- Special Educational Needs / Disability Support
- Medicine - Doctors / Nurses / Psychologists / Psychiatrists / Paediatricians
However, if you have a skill to share that is not listed above, then please feel free to reach out to us & we will be sure to arrange something.
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech-Language Therapy
- Education - Teachers / teaching assistants
- Special Educational Needs / Disability Support
- Medicine - Doctors / Nurses / Psychologists / Psychiatrists / Paediatricians
However, if you have a skill to share that is not listed above, then please feel free to reach out to us & we will be sure to arrange something.
What are the costs?
When it comes to volunteering on Nosy Be, there are a multitude of organisations demanding hundreds of euros/dollars per week. As mentioned, L.A.B intends to be different from the rest, creating genuinely sustainable development opportunities with our volunteers, rather than following the 'voluntourism' model.
With this being said, there are various costs involved with volunteering: accommodation, food, travel, in-country project costs etc. The costs you will pay depend entirely upon your requirements... Private rooms cost more than shared accommodation, certain dietary requirements cost more than others and so-on. Of course, all volunteers are free to arrange their own accommodation, food, travel etc, but, if you're looking for a totally immersive experience, we know the best options.
We don't require our volunteers to pay any fees, however, we would recommend that you fundraise a fixed amount to cover your expenses, with a little extra to ensure the continuity of our work in Madagascar.
Each project is different, each experience is different, and therefore, each cost will be different.
If you're interested in volunteering with us in Madagascar, then please submit an application below...