Humanitarian trip project to Madagascar with a group of teens in 2021

Hello,

I’m a volunteer leader at a youth center (MJC), and we’ve been deeply moved by everything happening in Madagascar—extreme poverty, endangered animals, deforestation, and so on. Plus, one of our teens has a Malagasy friend, so our group wants to travel there next year. Throughout this year, they’ve planned fundraisers to collect donations (sheets, dish towels, schoolbooks, hygiene products, etc.) and funds to cover their trip and stay.

They’re really motivated and generous—they already volunteer in schools and senior centers, and they’re always welcomed warmly.

But so far, they haven’t found any organizations in Madagascar willing to host them for two weeks (orphanages, schools, animal protection parks, etc.). Does anyone know of any contacts, please? Looking forward to your replies. Have a great evening!

Another misuse of the term "humanitarian." Teens don’t have the skills to organize food distributions or provide medical care.

Their intentions are admirable, but maybe they need to understand that if a country is poor, bringing their old stuff or things they bought in our wealthy countries won’t really help. The best way to support is by spending money locally to boost the economy.

As for orphanages, I’m not aware of mortality rates being so high that there are that many orphaned children.

Instead, reach out to NGOs in France—"humanitarian" work in Madagascar is often just an opportunistic business for locals.

I don’t agree with this way of seeing things, Anasthasie, and on top of that, your language isn’t exactly encouraging. You’re going so far as to try to discourage these kids. Mimiboheme didn’t say these teens want to *end* poverty in Madagascar—they just want to contribute to humanitarian work through donations. I also sense some racism in your words because you’re dismissing their donations as junk. That’s really not nice. Please reconsider your tone. Keep your comments to yourself and let the kids carry out their projects. Whether their stuff is old or not, it’s the gesture that counts...

Hi Pascale,

Don’t let the comments from others discourage you or your kids—their idea is inspiring. Unfortunately, I don’t know any associations in Madagascar, but the Ange d’Afrik association, of which I’m the president, would be delighted to welcome you in Cameroon and support you in carrying out this humanitarian work.

Anicet

And you jump on anything that moves as soon as it’s about humanitarian work—you offer your services right away. Does your business actually work? You’re the perfect example of the sharks I’m talking about.

Hello,

Just to let you know that it was a local association that asked our teens to collect these donations—they didn’t make it up!!!!!!

To help the children, we’re professional activity leaders, and the teens have already worked with kids aged 2 to 9 (reading, game activities, workshops, cooking, and sports discovery!!)

We work closely with a Malagasy family who keeps us informed about needs and more. Plus, we have two students (one in agriculture and the other in ecology), so I think they’re capable of bringing a little joy to Malagasy children—they’re already doing it here.

Age is just a number!!!!!!

Have a great day,

mimiboheme

Hello,

Thanks for your message and invitation—we’ll definitely consider it for next year. Our teens will be thrilled!!! They’ll be happy to work on this project.

Have a great day!

Best regards,

mimiboheme

Just to let you know, it was a local association that asked our teens to collect these donations—they didn’t make it up!!!!!!

I don’t quite understand the approach: you’d already be in contact with a local association that explained needs they’d identified, and then you’d look for another association to receive what you’d collected based on the first association’s needs???!!! 😮

... Unless the first association is just being used to justify a donation drive, and you’re then looking for a second one to help fund a trip there... I could be wrong, but that’s the impression your messages give.

Hello,

Thanks for your message, sorry if it wasn’t clear.

The teens reached out to several orphanages and schools on-site to find out what they needed and whether they accepted volunteers. So far, one orphanage replied that they mostly needed supplies but couldn’t host them. Still, the kids decided to organize a collection to help them out.

For their travel expenses, they’ve set things up themselves and aren’t asking for anything.

They just want to be useful while they’re there!!! That’s all, but they’re making progress and starting to get some responses. They’re really motivated, and we trust them completely!!!

Best regards,

Have a great day

hi Do you have the contact for your local association? Thanks in advance