6 Programs to get involved with 

(1) Marine Conservation Program

Volunteers receive comprehensive training to prepare them to undertake research-based  activities at sea. This involves identification training for marine wildlife, including turtles, fish,  corals and invertebrates. They are also taught the methodology of coral ecosystem  surveying, a key skill in marine conservation as a universal approach to monitoring the state  of coral reefs. 

To participate in the Marine Conservation program, volunteers must have both Open Water  and Advanced Open Water Dive Certification to survey. PADI diving courses can be  completed with us in Madagascar at our MRCI Diving School. It is best if you complete the e learning portion of your PADI training before coming to Madagascar as access to WIFI is  limited. If you apply for the Marine Conservation project in Madagascar, please specify  whether you require any dive training. 

Please note that this project has a minimum duration  of 4 weeks to allow sufficient time to complete the dive and marine research training  required to participate in the project.  

We work to protect the marine ecosystem in Madagascar in collaboration with several  scientific partners and oceanographic organisations to gather vital raw data through  numerous initiatives, including: 

Ecological & Monitoring Dives:  Monitoring the biodiversity, health and growth of the reef system surrounding Nosy  Komba through fish, invertebrate and coral surveys using scuba diving equipment. 

Data Entry & Analysis:  With so much scientific survey work going on underwater, we have a lot of data and  photos to input and analyse.  

Beach Clean Ups:  Help save the lives of marine animals caught in and eating marine litter. Remove  synthetic, damaging material from the ecosystem. This data is collected to monitor waste  across the Indian Ocean for an international research project run by the University of  Cape Town.  

Education Workshops & Community Work:  Educate the local community about environmental issues, conservation and the  protection of biodiversity and marine resources.  

Nudibranch Research:  Determine the species density and biodiversity of nudibranchs in the area as well as  associated substrates.  

Marine Protected Area:  Thanks to years of hard work by MRCI staff and volunteers, Turtle Towers, the home reef  at Turtle Cove, became a marine protected area in November 2016. Volunteers are now  working to monitor the impact of the protection on marine life.  Explain the importance of the protected area to local fishermen and area tourists and  stop them from fishing within the MPA.  

Turtle Watch:  The data collected from turtle watch goes towards our long-term monitoring dataset  whereby we are testing the effectiveness of the MPA in boosting turtle numbers and  assessing correlations with seasonality and level of boat disturbances. 

DIVE EQUIPMENT PACKING LIST  

All marine conservation volunteers are required to bring the following items to Madagascar,  as these are not available for purchase on the island of Nosy Komba: 

PADI Crew Pack OR e-learning (available to purchase online or from your local PADI Dive  store)  Medium to large dive slate for surveys (A4 size)  Mask (with tempered glass)  Snorkel  Dive Fins (open heels with booties are more comfortable for frequent use)  Wetsuit (long or short, 3mm minimum) - water temperature ranges from 26-31 degrees.  Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB) and reel (a small finger reel is fine) - safety equipment  Waterproof watch (resistant to 200 metres) - (Optional)  Dive compass - (Mandatory for doing dive courses)  Logbook (possible to use online)  Dive computer (optional)  Dive bag (optional)  Diving knife (optional)

(2) Forest Conservation Program

Join us for a unique opportunity to explore Madagascar's remarkable ecosystem and  encounter its iconic wildlife.

The MRCI Forest Conservation Program on Nosy Komba, known  as 'Lemur Island,' focuses on preserving the threatened Sambirano forests in Northwest  Madagascar through active restoration and sustainable practices. 

Our program includes mangrove planting reforestation, alien plant removal, seed collection,  composting, nursery activities, and sapling planting.

Please note that some activities,  especially mangrove planting, are seasonal and may not be available all year round.  MRCI works in collaboration with the National Parks Department of Madagascar and  volunteers assist in assessing lemur and other species populations in the forests on Nosy  Komba and at the renowned Lokobe Forest Reserve on Nosy Be. Data collected is provided  to the National Parks. 

 

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES  

For adventurous volunteers, we offer additional optional off-program excursions to the  Ankarana Forest Reserve near Diego Suarez. Costs vary based on the number of participants  and include transportation, guides, and accommodation. Ensure safety and standards when  considering other operators offering lower prices.

(3) Turlte Monitoring Program

MRCI’s turtle conservation program involves seasonal monitoring of the sea turtles that nest  on the country’s northern beaches.   In the nesting season, from November to April, you will be assisting us in determining and  monitoring the key nesting sites, nesting behaviour, nesting population size, any temporal  changes in nesting population size or distribution, and the primary threats facing nesting  turtles and hatchlings.

In the off-nesting season, from May to October, you will be assisting us in establishing areas  of turtle activity, identifying population size and re-establishing nesting beaches. When tides  allow, we also join our marine program in conducting seagrass surveys, turtle watches and  beach cleans.  

The research will primarily focus on the Green and Hawksbill turtles, with data also being  collected on the less common Olive Ridley and Loggerhead turtles if encountered. This data  will allow a better understanding of the current state of the turtle populations of Madagascar  and is vital to assist in the protection and management of these populations.   

We also engage the local community through education programs promoting the protection  of Madagascar’s turtles. During your stay, you may also get the opportunity to teach classes,  assist in construction projects and partake in forest hikes. 

AMPOHANA  

During nesting season, we travel to Ampohana, a small, remote village about 2 hours by boat  from Nosy Komba. Ampohana sits on a long white sandy beach and is surrounded by forest.  At either end of the beach, some rivers are lined with mangroves, making the area great for  bird-watching. At night, you will hear the calls of the mouse lemurs which frequent the  surrounding trees.   We aim to spend 4-5 days a fortnight based at Ampohana to carry out our surveys there and  at surrounding beaches.  

(4) English Teaching Program

Teaching English in Madagascar is a rewarding opportunity that benefits both the community  and students. Volunteers work with MRCI's local team and do not need to have any prior  teaching experience, just a good understanding of the English language is required. 

 

Due to increasing tourism, there is a high demand for English in Nosy Komba and Nosy Be communities. Learning English enhances locals' job prospects in the tourism sector. MRCI  volunteers have already transformed language skills in these areas.  Volunteers teach English in small village schools on Nosy Be and Nosy Komba, including  adult classes. 

They also assist staff at the Oceanographic Research Institute on Nosy Be to  improve their English for international collaboration.  MRCI offers 14 different classes around Nosy Komba, from basic to advanced English.  

Volunteers travel to classes by boat and Tuk-Tuk. These transportation expenses for classes  are included in the program fee and a packed lunch is provided by the camp's canteen staff. 

 

While beginner classes follow a structured curriculum, advanced classes adopt a more  informal approach, focusing on conversation and practical usage.  Volunteers can also learn Malagasy during their free time at our Turtle Cove camp at no  extra cost.  

TEACHING SCHEDULE 

Teaching schedules are prepared each weekend for the following week. Teachers should  expect to teach with at least one other teaching volunteer, however, this may vary depending  on the number of available volunteers on the project.   The kind of volunteers we expect - energetic, enthusiastic, motivated, open-minded and  friendly.

(5) Community Development Program

Each project undertaken by MRCI is carefully planned and sanctioned by the community  leaders. The key focus of each project is the development of infrastructures where the entire  community benefit as a whole. Running water and sanitation issues are addressed as well as  educational facilities which allow students to receive an education in a functional classroom  environment.  

Once the projects have been identified and approved by MRCI and the community leaders,  work begins with MRCI sponsoring a portion of the funds required. Volunteers assist not  only with the physical labour required to complete the projects but also with initiating  additional fundraising campaigns. 

These fundraising efforts are invaluable, without which we  would not be able to achieve our goals. A seemingly small contribution can make a  noteworthy difference.  All our building materials are locally sourced and purchased from local suppliers. Volunteers  work alongside the community members using traditional building methods.

A healthy  positive attitude is all that is required to participate in this program and is needed to  overcome the many challenges faced in developing these communities. The reward is in  knowing that you have made a significant impact in a community that will embrace you as  one of its own.  Assisting communities through building and construction will lay a foundation that will  encourage the local community to continue with your efforts after your volunteer work  abroad has come to an end.  

CONSTRUCTION

 Construction volunteers will be assigned a project within the local community on arrival.  Schedules vary depending on the project and the requirements of the community.  Types of construction projects include:  Toilet blocks,  Irrigation systems, Local schools (building and repairs),  Painting projects,  Water wells,  Clinics,  Places of worship,  Basketball court repairs And much more!

(6) Special Needs & Medical Assistance Program

MRCI, in collaboration with The Sunrise Centre, offer this program with the aim of improving the quality of life for disabled children and their families in Nosy Be, Madagascar. By partnering with The Sunrise Centre, we share a common goal of making a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need.

Who We Are Looking For:

We are seeking individuals who are qualified, experienced, or studying in the following fields:

• Physiotherapy

• Occupational therapy

• Speech-Language Therapy

• Education (Teachers/teaching assistants)

• Special Educational Needs and/or Disability Support

• Medicine (Doctors/Nurses/Psychologists/ Psychiatrists/Paediatricians)

Your knowledge and expertise will provide a level of care and support that these families have never experienced before. Your role includes identifying disorders, illnesses, and symptoms, offering palliative, curative, pharmaceutical, and holistic treatments, and educating both the children and their families.

Program Details:

During your time with MRCI, you will stay at our base camp located in the picturesque Turtle Cove on Nosy Komba. You will travel to Nosy Be and The Sunrise Centre daily by boat and Tuk-Tuk. The transportation expenses are included in the program fee, and a packed lunch is thoughtfully provided by our camp’s canteen staff.

As a volunteer, you will actively participate in assisting the students with their medical needs and skills as well as supporting the centre’s routines of education, life skills, sports, music and play.

While we welcome all forms of support, for a more dedicated volunteering experience, we recommend a minimum stay of two weeks. This duration allows us to maximize the benefits of your time in Madagascar.

For the safety and well-being of the children and adults you will be working with, we require all volunteers to complete a criminal background check. Additionally, we will require your CV and would like to arrange a discussion about your previous work experience and volunteering interests to ensure the project’s effectiveness and satisfaction for both parties.