Meet Our New Volunteer, Anna! Hello everyone! My name is Anna DeGroot. I’m currently a sophomore at Wayne State College in Nebraska, studying Conservation Biology and Environmental Health. From a young age, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in environmental science. I’ve always loved nature and animals and am passionate about preserving our world’s endangered resources, especially in communities of high impact. I’ve had experience volunteering at my local conservation office, working at … Read More

Peter’s Final Blog as MBP Volunteer Today is my last day at KAFS. A sad moment as I put the finishing touches to my final blog for MBP. Tomorrow I begin my 10,000km journey northwards to Ireland with a twelve hour drive to Tana with Rico. Harilala is going home for Easter and will accompany us as far as the N7 just past Ranomafana. The last three weeks since St Patrick’s Day have been very … Read More

Peter’s Recount of Cyclone Freddy It’s been an eventful few weeks since my last blog piece. A few weeks! Time is whizzing by. There’s really only one topic I can start with this time. Cyclone Freddy. Before it arrived people were understandably very nervous with the memories of Batsirai in February 2022 still fresh in their minds. Everyone prepared for Freddy’s well heralded arrival. The residents around KAFS strengthened and buttressed their homes. They used … Read More

Peter’s Blog – 1st Feb. 2023 to 18th Feb. 2023 Now that I am here a few weeks I feel that I am settling into the daily routine of life at KAFS. The working week at KAFS begins with the MBP vehicles ferrying staff and materials to where they need to be. When I am part of the seed collection team, I travel in the minibus which picks up staff, including other members of the … Read More

Peter’s Blog – 16th Jan. 2023 to 31st Jan. 2023 After months of planning, preparation and anticipation, it is very exciting to have arrived in Madagascar. As you can imagine it is a long journey from Derry in the northwest of Ireland to Kianjavato Ahmanson Field Station, both in terms of distance and seasons. I have traveled about 10,000km and from winter to summer. It was snowing gently when I locked my front door to … Read More

MBP Volunteer Reflections by Bailey Arnold Madagascar was a little intimidating in the beginning, but it has allowed me to grow in so many ways. I just completed my first semester in college, but this experience has allowed me to stick out from the other students. I am not afraid to go and try new things, in fact I have joined the UNL Women’s Hockey team without any experience. I am not afraid to ask … Read More