Reefdoctor's Blog

Gilbert, volunteer in August 2009, was enthusiastic, if limited

Some comments from previous volunteers.

Picture credit: Magdalena

My time as a research assistant at ReefDoctor was truly unforgettable. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so welcomed into a team and I would have happily spent many months there. One of the best things about it was having a free reign to get stuck into the things that interested me most and I really valued being able to contribute to the research and surveying side of things. The experience of living and working in Ifaty really opened my eyes to the real-life side of conservation and has inspired me to pursue a career in it, so perhaps one day I’ll be back at ReefDoctor!

- Gemma Clucas

Arriving in Mangily

Coming from a non-scientific  background did not have any effect on my time there! You learn so much and have an open mind to everything. I saw HUMPBACK WHALES (four in fact), I did my advanced with an awesome instructor Johnny and climbed a week in Isola national park (the most productive five weeks on my life!).. I had only passed my Open water previously and I wish I had just done it in a Madagascar!! I did reef check and sea grass and learned many lectures on coral with the greatest guide (GREG!), fish ID and learned about conservation projects in south west Madagascar.

Swimming in fresh water pools in ISALO, climbing up waterfalls and being 4 meters away from a great giant reef ray couldn’t be any sweeter, every night I could see the milky way in the sky where the stars looked like they hung from sting. (Picture perfect!) The drop off toilets were interesting to face at night time as the hand sized cockroaches scattered around them as you squatted carefully (I think I’ve become a genius at that now). Ooooh and don’t get me started on the sun set… oh my, like nothing I’ve ever seen before! The way it turns pink and plunges itself into the big blue ocean. But its all about the culture, they live the simplest life and are on top of the world.. I hate England now with a passion, but I guess it’s a lot more controlled then MADagascar!

I wish I worked more with the local people trying to teach them about the way they fish and to stop the line nets and catching juvenile fish. Just seeing it day in and out, really makes you want to change their views on fishing, but not their views (They are always friendly to the Vazaha, plus “SALAMA!” never got to old)

So what have I learned? That Madagascar has a population of 19million and 12 million is kids! The fact that I want to be a biologist and work with conservation and with people in greater need than us.. kind of has had a huge influence from Madagascar!

Take me back there! I miss,  sun, sea, rice and beans and diving and mainly the all them children!

Ok… done, sorry it’s a bit long.. but I just mentions the best parts, which was EVERYTHING!

- Emmy Hottinger

[Edited for seriously, absolutely atrocious spelling - Greg...]

Our very own Texan has run a blog throughout his 3 month stay with us – live through his eyes.

I know this sounds terrifying, but try it, he’s not so scary now he’s shaved off his mohawk…

http://maninmadagascar.tumblr.com/