Currently Azafady has two short-term options, designed to allow those with just a little time to spare, the opportunity to assist us with our community development and conservation work in Madagascar and still deliver meaningful results in a short period.

Community Construction Support (2 or 3 weeks)
This project supports Azafady's award-winning Pioneer Madagascar program, building rural schools in isolated and beautiful Malagasy villages. Volunteers will help address the high demand for schools in the rural commune of Mahatalaky. Mahatalaky is made up of 16 fokontanies, or villages, each of which is made up of several outlying hamlets. The commune is vast and communities isolated from each other. Many fokontanies have no formal educational services and children are forced to walk up to 20km per day to attend schools in other communities – assuming there is room for them. It is no surprise that illiteracy in this area is among the highest rates nationally. You will join a group of like-minded volunteers, working alongside community members, camping in a stunning rural environment, engaging in hands-on construction of a 6 meter by 12 meter two-room, stone floored, tin roofed, wooden school house, equipped with tables and chairs, blackboard and shelving. This is the scheme for people looking for a fitness-building outdoors experience that really makes a difference to the lives of those less fortunate.

English Teaching (2 weeks)
This project presents an ideal opportunity for those looking to develop skills in the area of teaching English as a foreign language. In recent times, tourism has become increasingly important for the country’s economic development and as a viable means of advancing the development of sustainable livelihoods among the Malagasy people. As a result, there has been increased support and demand by locals for the teaching of English as a means of capitalising on the opportunities presented by tourism and the increased presence and activity of international NGOs.  You will assist by planning and leading classes, making this project an ideal opportunity for those looking to develop skills in the area of teaching English as a foreign language. You may already be TEFL qualified or completely new to teaching and keen to pursue it as a career. Alternatively, this project would suit fully qualified teachers who are looking to make worthwhile use of their skills outside of term time. Whatever your background, you will be involved in all aspects of Azafady's established English teaching program; from lesson planning to delivering 8 full days teaching during the 2 week placement.

All Azafady's short-term programs, while mainly hard work, include a visit to Nahampoana Reserve for an up-close-and-personal experience with several species of lemurs, and optional excursions to nearby attractions and rural markets. Because project sites vary, recreational opportunities will be different for each location, however you will always be immersed in the unique Malagasy culture for the entire visit. Madagascar’s extraordinary environment is stunning, and its exciting flora and fauna is never far away.