Blog by Prolemur simus Volunteer, Blake   Sambatra was easily one of the more prominent cultural experiences I have had the opportunity to partake in. Sambatra is a holiday which happens every 7 years in Mananjary and is centered around the circumcision of young boys. Yup. The whole town of Mananjary transforms for Sambatra because it attracts tourists and Malagasy people from all over. The town went from a sleepy beach town to a lively … Read More

  The rain has officially come to the eastern rain forest of Madagascar. Two days ago we definitely had some of the hardest rain I have experienced out here to date. The official start of the rainy season is mid-November and just continues on for a while. This last rain storm managed to soak half my tent and half my clothes which were outside which made for a nice morning greeting for me. After this, … Read More

  It’s difficult to know how I feel about leaving Madagascar after one year. My excitement to see my family and Aussie friends is at the cost of saying goodbye to my new Malagasy friends (more like family at this point really). To not be stared at for being a  vazaha will be nice, but will be replaced by quizzical stares when I say hello  to everyone on the street, even if I don’t know them. One of … Read More

  This is Blake here with an update about my travels and work here for MBP. I am wondering where to even start this blog post because SO much amazing stuff has been happening over the last 2 weeks. I might as well jump right into the nitty-gritty details. Buckle up! Since I have arrived, I have become a basketball player, teacher, and anesthetists. Let me explain that a little bit. The first major event … Read More

    One week ago, I was in Johannesburg frantically searching for my connecting flight to New York. I was easily distracted, of course, by numerous milkshake and food kiosks, but I managed to find it on time. Fellow passengers snickered at me as I walked by since I was sporting a traditional Malagasy straw hat with a plastic chameleon strung to it; a gift given to me by the other volunteers when I left KAFS. I … Read More