Madagascar is one of the most bio-diverse nations in the world and is lucky enough to grow some of the most valuable crops on the international market. Yet, too commonly, rural communities do not have the access to or diversity of foods needed for healthy families. Agriculture Extension Agents meet this challenge by working to improve production techniques of local farmers, create income generating activities, and build the money management skills of cooperatives and their members. Most work adjacent to protected areas. By doing so, we help rural farmers balance agriculture production with environmentally sustainable practices.

The Ministry of Education has recognized the importance of English in developing an international workforce--for continued education, medicine, technology, tourism, and beyond. We’ve matched their effort by establishing a TEFL Certification for all our educators and, in 2016, Peace Corps Madagascar will become the first post in the world to issue certification following service. As English Educators, our primary assignment is to teach at lycée (high school) and/or at a collège (middle school), sharing techniques and building skills among our colleague teachers, and create extra-curricular activities that will strengthen students’ understanding of community and their future roles in the community.

Community Health Advisors are tackling some of the most fundamental public health challenges in the world. Stationed at local clinics and partnered with local community health workers, we’re targeting the causes of stunting, waterborne illnesses, malaria mortality, unsafe drinking water, and the many diseases faced by families in Madagascar. We create care groups to train caregivers and mobilize community leaders, health workers, and partners to prevent disease--building the capacity of local health promoters in the process.