| T +44 (0)20 8960 6629 | F +44 (0)20 8962 0126 | info@azafadyusa.org |
| Internship & Volunteering Opportunities with an NGO in Madagascar | If you are unable to see the message below, click here to view |
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| The Pioneer Madagascar Program and Lemur Venture are initiatives of Azafady, a registered charity in the UK (No. 1079121) and a Malagasy NGO. Azafady has been working on environmental, humanitarian and sustainable development projects in southeast Madagascar since 1994. Madagascar, situated off the east coast of Africa, has been recognized as one of the planet's top conservation priorities. Eighty per cent of the island's plant and animal species are found nowhere else on earth. Extreme poverty poses an enormous and ongoing threat to the island's staggering biodiversity, not least through deforestation caused by slash-and-burn agriculture. Many unique species, including at least 15 species of lemur, have already been lost whilst many others, including some as yet un-described by science, face extinction. Over 70 % of the island's population of 18 million people live on less than 1 US dollar a day, making it one of the poorest countries in the world. As few as 4 % of the rural Malagasy people have access to safe drinking water - one of the main causes of the horrendous 1 in 10 infant mortality rate. As a grassroots development organization Azafady works directly with local communities ensuring that our work is requested by, as well as being useful to, the people of Madagascar. Although we have a skilled and dedicated team made up of Malagasy and non-Malagasy staff in the south-east of the country, much of our work is dependent upon our interns and volunteers. Pioneer Madagascar Program - participants on the Pioneer Madagascar Program work on our projects in the field, gaining understanding of the resource needs of impoverished village communities and how this impacts on conservation efforts. Pioneers work in three interrelated areas over the course of the program: sustainable livelihoods development, health-based infrastructure and education, and habitat and species conservation. Typical projects include building wells and latrines; building and equipping schools; health and environmental education in rural areas; forest conservation; and sustainable income generating activities such as beekeeping and community vegetable gardens. Pioneer Madagascar is offered as a volunteer program and also as an internship for those wishing to gain experience and/or credit for a college or university course. Lemur Venture - Azafady has teamed up with Madagascar's Parc Botanique et Zoologique de Tsimbazaza (PBZT) on Lemur Venture - a unique volunteer research program designed to discover more about lemurs and their natural habitat. Our volunteers train initially alongside the PBZT team before heading out to the field to study wild lemurs. Lemur Venture's special focus is on gathering information on several lemur species in order to improve success rates of captive breeding programs both in Madagascar and around the world. Azafady welcomes applications for both programs from those who are studying or have studied anthropology, zoology, biological/environmental studies or science, African studies, international relations and other related courses. Our opportunities are suitable for people interested in a future in not-for-profit organizations, NGOs, conservation, sustainable development or humanitarian causes. Although we do not require volunteers to have previous experience or knowledge in these areas, we believe that people with interest in these fields will make ideal candidates. Over the course of our programs, interns and volunteers will have the opportunity to learn how a small NGO operates and the inherent challenges that it faces when working in a developing country. Our projects are led by some of the most competent conservation and development workers on the island and as an intern/volunteer, you will be an integral part of our team and gain an insight into real grassroots conservation and development. In order to take part in our life-changing programs, prospective interns and volunteers are required to fund-raise a minimum donation of at least GBP£2,000 (approximately $4,000) for Pioneer and GBP£2,200 (approximately $4,400) for Lemur Venture (you'll also need to pay for pre-project costs such as flights). But don't panic! We will be with you every step of the way with great ideas on how you can raise the funds, raising public awareness of a 'Lost World' and little known people and animals as you do so. The money you raise will ensure the continued operation of Azafady's essential field projects. Your fundraising will also cover: |
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| Our Lemur Venture scheme runs for 8 weeks (4 week projects are also available by arrangement at a cost of GBP£1400, approximately $2,800) whilst our Pioneer Madagascar Program lasts for 10 weeks. Programs begin in January, April, July, and October each year and you can apply to start on any scheme whose timetable suits you. | ||||||||||
| For further information on Azafady, please visit our website at www.azafadyusa.org.
Application forms for both programs are downloadable from the website. Any questions can be directed to Azafady at the contact details below: Azafady Studio 7 1a Beethoven Street, London W10 4LG Tel + 44 (0)20 8960 6629 info@azafadyusa.org Thanks for your time and we hope to hear from you soon! |
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