Experience:
Organisation:
Name: Jess
Hometown: Preston, Lancashire
Destination: Madagascar
Project type: Teaching English
Organisation: The Dodwell Trust
What were your impressions of your destination?
Madagascar is an incredible place to visit as there is such diversity in the landscape such as tropical rainforests, beautiful beaches, arid desert like areas and natural springs.
Was the work interesting and challenging?
The teaching varied a great deal which made it interesting and sometimes more challenging but very rewarding. Over 5 weeks I taught groups of children, teenagers and adults all ranging in class size, ability and behavior. I also did one to one teaching with adults which was really good fun and really insightful. Teaching so many different people was the best thing about my experience and even now thinking of some of the classes I took makes me giggle at the fun we had.
What was your accommodation like? Did you feel comfortable and welcome at all times?
When in the capital city the organization put volunteers up in a nice hotel usually, although you must insist on this sometimes as there seemed to be a reluctance to do so at one point. When teaching I stayed in two different towns: the first was brilliant and had everything we needed but the accommodation in the second town was awful. There were bats and rats and cockroaches scuttling around all the time and my friend and I lost a lot of sleep because of this.
Were you happy with the organisation and the staff that were responsible for you during your stay?
Most of the staff were absolutely brilliant, making sure we were comfortable in our villages before leaving us and there was a host agent in the towns so you’re never without someone close by.
Do you feel that you got value for money on the project?
Yes and No. I can’t put a price on the experience yet as a charity I feel not enough of my money was being used in a charitable way. Also the charges have gone up since I was in Madagascar.
Would you recommend the project to others?
Yes, the opportunity to teach was incredible.
