English Education Teacher

Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world and one of 17 megadiverse countries. Its terrain and climate are diverse. Volunteers are placed throughout the country and conditions can vary greatly from one site to another. Volunteers should be flexible, resilient, and willing to live in very modest conditions with inconsistent electricity or running water. Some Volunteers may have electricity in their homes or sites, but it is not guaranteed for all and for those who do have electricity, access can be limited to a few hours a day and outages are very frequent.

• Housing: During service, Volunteers live in a private one-room or two-room house. Housing material depends on the region, with walls made out of local wooden material on the coast and bricks in the highlands. Volunteers have individual indoor or outdoor bath houses and shared or individual latrines. PCVs are recommended to bring or buy solar chargers that can provide electricity/battery recharge.

• Communication: Almost all communication is conducted by cell phone. You will receive a local SIM card shortly after your arrival. We strongly recommend that you bring an unlocked cell phone from the U. S. You will have an opportunity to buy a phone if you do not bring an unlocked phone (phones are much more expensive in Madagascar). Call costs are based on the number of minutes used and texts sent and are deducted immediately. Incoming calls and texts, even from the US, are free. It is possible for many to access very slow internet or messaging apps through the purchase of local data plans for smartphones.

• Transportation: On a case-by-case basis, Peace Corps may provide a bike, helmet, and basic bicycle maintenance training to assist you in daily routines such as biking to nearby markets or visiting sites around your village. You may also be required to walk or bike between 3 to 10 kilometers to reach a main road or an outlying village where community partners live and work.

• Food: Rice is the staple. Other foods include cassava, potatoes and corn. Meat and fish could be expensive or difficult to find depending on the region. Fish is more present on the coast and meat in the highlands. If meat or fish are unavailable, a variety of beans and peanuts can be used as protein sources. Vegetables vary by region, but most are produced in the highlands. Madagascar is graced with wonderful, though seasonal, fruits. During the off-season, specific fruits may be unavailable and unevenly distributed across the country. You will do your shopping at the local market, but some items might have to be purchased at a larger town nearby.

Vegetarians and vegans may face challenges and should be mindful of food customs. Turning down a plate of food because it has meat may be seen as rejecting a gift. Volunteers have found it possible but difficult to maintain a vegetarian diet.

The Malagasy are generally tolerant, although values concerning sexual orientation are conservative. Same-sex marriages are not permitted under Malagasy law. Volunteers will need to be mindful of cultural norms and use their judgment to determine the best way to approach sexual orientation in their communities. Staff and currently serving Volunteers will address this topic during Pre-Service Training and identify support mechanisms for incoming trainees.

Learn more about the living conditions, including detailed information on culture, communications, housing, and health/crime statistics on our Madagascar country page. You can also delve into stories about local communities by reading our blog or Volunteer stories.