Trip Details

Kindergarten Volunteer in Madagascar

Do children naturally gravitate towards you? If they do – and you love the thought of travelling to somewhere super exotic, then our Kindergarten Volunteer programme in Madagascar could be perfect for you! Here, you will have the opportunity to teach little ones the basics of English, through fun, games and song (and any other creative means you have!). Nosey Be, where you’ll be staying, has a kindergarten of 2 – 4-year-olds, who will all be delighted to meet you and join in the fun!

Encourage a Love of Learning in Madagascar’s Children

Children of this age don’t really want to be ‘taught’, so a large part of your day as a Kindergarten Volunteer in Madagascar, will be finding ways to make learning a positive part of their day, and something that they will want to continue as they grow. Like the rest of the Nosey Be community, you will find the children incredibly friendly and eager to talk to you, so engaging them is not difficult! However, don’t underestimate the importance of your input; just one person who connects meaningfully with a child of this age can have a tremendously positive influence! No pressure …

Find Hidden Gems on the Magical Island of Madagascar!

There is so much to explore here, and besides the perfect beaches, lakes, and towering mountains (there are 1914 of them!), friendly locals will also show you some of their favourite places. Once you’ve finished your volunteering for the day, you can set off on your own mini-adventure with your new-found friends.  Alternatively, you can simply relax and socialise back at your accommodation, and leave the big excursions for the weekend! So whether you’re an adventure-junkie or a sun-worshiper, you’ll find it all as a volunteer in Madagascar!

Why be a Kindergarten Volunteer in Madagascar?

  • Play a part in building children’s confidence and willing to learn
  • Improve your own skills and have something exciting to put on your CV
  • Explore Madagascar’s breathtaking scenery, culture and community
  • Enjoy staying at our safe and comfortable accommodation, Wifi included
  • Taste the delights of African cuisine, with all meals and beverages* included

*tea, coffee and drinking water

Get in touch to find out more or browse through our many other volunteer experiences.

Trip Itinerary

Your day as a Kindergarten Volunteer will start around 9 am, and finish at 4 pm each day. In the morning, you can expect to be with your little friends for 3 hours, before heading back to the centre where lunch will be waiting for you. Thereafter, a further 2 hours of kindergarten will fill your day from 2 pm to 4 pm, when you will return home and be free to relax or to wander and explore your surroundings.

Weekly Schedule

On your first day, you will be shown around your project and introduced to the team. Also, you’ll be given some useful information to help make your stay even more enjoyable, such as dos and don’ts, and basic language tips.

Monday to Friday

  • Breakfast
  • Kindergarten volunteering
  • Lunch
  • Kindergarten volunteering
  • Dinner

Please note:

Cost of transport to locations is not included, but will usually be around £1.50 per day.

This schedule can be changed depending on weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Evenings and Weekends

Your evenings and weekends are free to do as you wish, and you can choose to explore the area or simply kick back with your new-found friends back at your accommodation. Many of our volunteers enjoy mixing with their new volunteer friends during the week and plan their weekend adventures together!

Places to Visit

With all year-round sunshine, Nosy Be is a paradise for water activities. The golden beaches are the highlights of Nosy be where you can swim, snorkel or just sit back and enjoy the sunshine. These are some of our favourite beaches …

  • Palm Beach
  • Andilana Beach
  • Ambatoloaka Beach

Trip Accommodation

Nosy Be, where you will be staying, is an idyll for nature lovers! You will find lemurs, unique bird species, reptiles. and many other animals, including some pretty spectacular plant species!

And for the explorer, there are volcanic lakes, hikes, rum distilleries, Ylang Ylang plantations and breathtaking coral reefs that are practically begging to be discovered!

Further, if you come in May, you’ll enjoy the four-day Donia Music Festival; however, all year round you will have the opportunity to swim among turtles, stingrays or manta rays. This is truly an adventure you will not forget!

About the Accommodation

In our centre, there is a dining room, a communal lounge area, and a beautiful garden to relax. There is also a refrigerator which you are welcome to use to store food and beverages.
In addition, you also have a balcony and large roof terrace to spend some quality time with your new-found friends. Rooms are dorm style male/female and sleep 4 – 6 to a room, and mosquito protection is available.

There will always be others who, like you, are volunteering in Madagascar – not just at the kindergarten, but on a whole range of our volunteer programmes! And there are also staff on-site 7 days a week to help you or answer questions. In fact, socialising is the norm here, so you’ll find you’ll not be short of things to do during your down-time. Wifi is available in communal areas of the volunteer house so you can catch up with friends and family – if you get the time!.

Food 
Malagasy cuisine is an experience in itself! Whilst it mainly consists of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables, you will also have chicken dishes to choose from (in addition to vegetarian) about twice a week. And if you need to be eased into African food, we always have a mix of Western and Malagasy cuisine on offer. You can also use the kitchen facilities to cook for yourself or eat out at any of the local restaurants at your own expense.

Facilities
There is an ATM about 15-20 minutes away from the centre, accessible by bus or Tuk-Tuk.
The closest local supermarket is also around 15-20 minutes away by bus or Tuk-Tuk from the accommodation.
Wifi is available in communal areas of your accommodation.

Transportation

Transportation is available to all surrounding areas. However, transport costs are not included in the programme and extra provision must be made for your excursions.

Trip Country Info

Madagascar

Population: 25,054,000
Capital: Antànanarivo
Language: Malagasy (official) and 17 dialects apart from the official Malagasy language and French.
Currency: Ariary (Ar or MGA)
Time zone: UTC +3:00

Because of its isolation from the major continents, Madagascar is considered as a jewel in biodiversity terms, an exotic country with a high concentration of endemic species. Madagascar’s flagship species are 100% endemic with 101 lemur species. Of 285 bird species recorded 105 are unique to the country. Three fourths of Madagascar’s 860 orchid species are endemic to the island and 6 of the world’s 8 baobab species are found nowhere else in the world. But, human presence constantly threatens these wonders. Over 90% of Madagascar’s wildlife is endemic and cannot be seen wild anywhere else on earth.

Madagascar’s cultural richness differs from one ethnic group to another. And, 18 ethnic groups form the Malagasy population whose culture is based on the respect of the ancestors and the unity of the living.

Madagascar is the world’s fourth largest island. It is one of the richest countries for biodiversity, but economically one of the poorest nations. 75.3% of Malagasy live under the poverty line, and the gap between the rich and poor is widening day by day. Despite dire poverty, Malagasy society remains open-hearted to everyone who takes time to discover and enjoy its natural and cultural heritage. This land of smiles and contrasts is ready to take you on your next adventure whether helping out in local communities or just exploring. This island located at the crossroads of the African and Asian worlds will surely amaze your senses. Madagascar will certainly shift the way you see the world.

Madagascar’s wildlife is found nowhere else on Earth, this is due to the isolation of the country.  In Madagascar the locals are kind and friendly, you will receive a warm welcome, despite the country not being one of wealth, the people are proud, and are proud of what they have.

If you want to move it move it in Madagascar get involved in one of our volunteering projects here.  You will be spending your gap year in a destination that offers a kind of hospitality from the Malagasy that you would get nowhere else.

Participant Criteria & Requirements

Standard Requirements

MUST have a yellow fever vaccination and must obtain a certificate as proof
DBS, Criminal Background Check
Travel Insurance
Under 18, Parental Consent

Additional Requirements

Team Player
Open Mind

What's included

  • 24/7 support in case of emergencies
  • Accommodation
  • Airport Pick up
  • English speaking coordinator
  • Meals
  • Orientation

What's not included

  • Departures/ drop offs
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Vaccination
  • Visa