 Comoros Islands Conservation and Community Development
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This is a fascinating natural and cultural experience for intrepid volunteers, wanting to experience life in traditional communities, whilst surveying sea turtles and carrying out essential environmental work in a lush tropical paradise. |
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The project is based on the idyllic island of Moheli, in the region of Hoani with the environmental association, HOANI VILLAGE ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION. This exciting new programme has been developed in partnership with the international non-profit organisation, Community Centred Conservation (C3) established in 2002 with a mission to develop conservation efforts worldwide by building the capacity of local individuals and institutions through grassroots research and training initiatives.
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The Union of the Comoros (Comores in French) is situated at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel, equidistant (approximately 300km) from continental Africa and Madagascar. It comprises three volcanic islands: Grande Comore, Anjouan and Mohéli scattered in a turquoise sea. The Comoros gained independence from France in 1975. The Comoros have been identified as one of the ‘hottest hotspots’ in terms of global conservation priorities; it is one of the world’s critical sites for biodiversity conservation and one of the poorest nations in the world in need of sustainable development initiatives such as this one. Mohéli, where this programme is based, is known as the Nature Island of the Comoros, where time seems to have stopped and where pristine reefs and forests abound and a traditional way of life persists, untouched by tourism.
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Volunteers will be working mainly on sea turtle conservation during the main nesting season. Green turtles are seen nesting all year round so there will be survey activities taking place at all times; track surveys during low season and full monitoring during high nesting season. In addition, volunteers will be required to help create awareness raising events in the villages and assistance to the community in building up their new ecotourism enterprise, e.g Engish lessons, trail building, creating signs, constructing camp sites and identifying natural hotspots for viewing lemurs, bats, endemic birds and marine life. Volunteers will be based in Hoani village, but will also assist two other nearby small villages in turtle monitoring and surveillance activities. Participants will also learn about traditional village life and be invited to dances, feasts and weddings in the vicinity to enrich their experience and form strong bonds with the local community.
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Volunteers will be living in rustic palm framed bungalows or small houses close to the beach. You may have to share a room but only with one other volunteer. Accommodation is clean and simple, with a shower, toilet and kerosene lamps, although in some areas of the village there is electricity. Local women from HOANI VILLAGE ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION will prepare fresh tasty meals three times a day; fruits and local cakes for breakfast, fish or chicken with fried bananas and cassava for lunch and a tasty evening meal with rice, meat and local vegetables. Local mangoes, passionfruit, oranges and avocadoes are available on a seasonal basis. Other fruits such as tomatoes and papayas are grown all year round. All the food is prepared traditionally on a camp fire and is very popular with the volunteers!
Placements run from 1st to 21st (inclusive) of every month.
Volunteers fly into Moroni, the capital, which is on the island of Grande Comore. An internal flight of about 40 minutes links Moroni to the island of Moheli, where the project is based. The internal flight is organised by project staff prior to the volunteer’s arrival.
International flights are available with Yemenia Airlines departing from France, Germany, Italy or the UK. Other options are (1) to fly with Kenya Airways to Moroni via Nairobi (2) Air France via Mayotte (3) from Tanzania with Air Tanzania. Our travel partner STA will help find the best value flights for our volunteers.
- All of Twin’s volunteer placements are in partnership with recognised Charities, Non Governmental Organisations (NGO’s), government ministries or registered agents, giving you the confidence to work with reputable organisations.
- Comprehensive insurance is available for each of the volunteer placements.
- Our local partner provides 24-hour support.
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Volunteers should be aged over 18 and should have preferably experienced living and travelling in developing countries. They should be self motivated, open minded and also self-reliant, in order to adapt to a remote and traditional lifestyle.
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In addition, volunteers need to speak basic French (GCSE standard). Volunteers need to be comfortable spending three weeks without material comforts such as electricity mobile phone coverage and internet.
The cost for eco-volunteers for 3 weeks is £790.00, which covers all programme related costs, including:
- Lodging in a shared bungalow (with another volunteer)
- All meals and food preparation
- Internal flight between Grande Comore
- Moheli airport pick-up and drop-off
- Project materials
- Project t-shirt
- Documentation
- 24 hour emergency support from a country headquarters
- Local transportation between villages
Extra week for leisure: £130
Extra week as part of the programme: £200
Training and supervision by C3 and HOANI VILLAGE ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION project managers.
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