To have the opportunity to participate on the Pioneer programme, we ask volunteers to raise a minimum donation of £2,000 for the ten weeks.

This is made up of a £500 initial non-refundable deposit which secures your place on the scheme, and a balance of at least £1,500 which is due three weeks before departure.

The minimum donation is a donation to support the charitable work of Azafady. Funds generated by the program support Azafady's projects in Madagascar, with some 90% of all donations to being spent in direct pursuit of our charitable aims.

Click here for a breakdown of the charitable donation.

Don't let the size of the required donation put you off! Azafady is there to support volunteers in raising this donation, with a wealth of fundraising experience and resources available to volunteers. Please see our Fundraising Page for further ideas. You are of course welcome to simply pay the minimum donation from your own funds, although we do hope that, through fundraising activities, Pioneers will assist us to raise public awareness about the threats to the people and environment of Madagascar.

Additionally volunteers need to cover their own pre-departure costs including flights, visa, personal equipment, medical preparations and vaccinations, which are typically in the region of £1,000 - £1,500 (these can sometimes be fundraised too, with the prior agreement of Azafady), and a standard Country Registration fee of £95 paid to Azafady. The Registration fee covers all aspects of police and commune registration costs in Madagascar, as well as compulsory inclusion in Azafady's comprehensive travel insurance policy which Azafady purchases for every volunteer (details of the policy can be provided on request).