Help get me to my Madagascar Research Volunteer Trip!

Alexa Fernandez Cintora Start Date: Sep 9, 2023 - End Date: Mar 8, 2024
  • Zanzibar, Tanzania

My Travel Story

by: Alexa Fernandez Cintora Start Date: Sep 9, 2023 - End Date: Mar 8, 2024
Hello everyone! I was originally going to volunteer in Zanzibar, Tanzania, however, I made the decision to switch to Madagascar for a couple of reasons. First, I am now going to be traveling with a friend which makes traveling alone a lot less scary. Secondly, I was originally planning to do Madagascar but I was deterred by the isolation of the island. I preferred to go to Zanzibar alone because it was more city-like. Madagascar is truly going to test the limits of my comfort zone. The program I am participating in takes place in Nosy Komba with more projects located in Nosy Be. The location of my accommodation is isolated and requires a lot of proper equipment for my stay. I will be staying in Nosy Komba Madagascar for 3 weeks starting Monday the 20th. I am joining the turtle conservation project, where I will be able to establish and identify safe turtle nesting zones around the island of Nosy Be. I will be going during the off-nesting season.

Here are some of the project goals for this season: 
  • Establish turtle activity areas
  • Identify the population size and ensure there are no dramatic changes
  • Join marine conservation volunteers to re-farm their coral reefs, and conduct seagrass surveys, and turtle watching. 
  • Beach clean-ups 
  • Ocean conservation outreach

What am I helping accomplish during my three weeks? 
  • Help maintain a sustainable turtle hatchery to help maintain population numbers 
  • Increase conservation area sizes 
  • Create spaces safe for turtle nesting 
  • Help repopulate coral reefs 

I will also be participating in small community-based construction initiatives, such as creating eco-bricks and learning from local villages about the Malagasy way of life.




  • Zanzibar, Tanzania

Updates

2

  • 20%

    20%
    You have all helped me raise over 20%!! Meaning, you have helped me cover my Travel insurance, Visas, Travel expenses, Vaccines, and Equipment! From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!
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  • Almost 10%!!!

    Almost 10%!!!
    I am almost at 10% funded! Thank you so much to everyone who has donated or shared my account. 179 days to go!
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Adventure Registry

  • Sleeping Bag

    50

  • Women's backpacking bag

    150

  • size 7 hiking shoes, rei

    100

  • GoPro

    300