How has the programme been chosen, planned and vetted?
Madventurer specialises in community-led, sustainable development projects. This means that the community's approach us with their plans and we set about trying to help them achieve them. This is done to ensure that the projects are what the communities want and not an extension of our own desires for a communities' development.
Has a responsible member of the organisation personally checked each placement?
We employ a full-time Director of Operations whose job it is to choose and set-up projects in the field. This selection is made through reference to guidelines set down by Madventurer over requirements for projects.
What exactly will I be doing?
This very much depends on your given preference at the time of joining. On group projects as standard we offer medical placements, conservation placements, building placements and teaching placements. The main thrust is the building project and then people spend days away from the site doing other activities. If people want to get involved with something outside of this then we will do what we can to organise it.
On Solo projects the venturer chooses one or a number of professions to specialise in for an extended period of time.
Will I be alone or in a group and what size is the group?
On group projects we take a maximum of 12 members per group. On solo projects you may decide to live alone or with one or two other individuals.
What living and meal arrangements are there?
Whilst on the project we live and eat with the community. This is done for the purpose of full community integration. Whilst venturers are cooked for we still encourage them to get involved with the providing of meals to help bolster this sense of integration. Accommodation will vary depending on the project site. For instance, on the Mount Kenya project site you will be living in a very basic log cabin in bunk beds - separate from the students at the school we are helping, but in identical accommodation.
On our Shia Ghana projects, accommodation will in in rooms of 3 to 4 venturers in different houses in the village, but one house is used as a communal area so venturers can have their own space in the evenings. Be ready to eat local food (beans, rice, chicken, goat, beef, lentils, fresh fruits etc) but any dietry requirements will be catered for. If you fancy burger and chips on a weekend, you can get one within one hour of all project sites!
What are my responsibilities? What is expected of me? Is there a code of conduct for participants?
We organise a Pre-Departure 2 meeting before departure on expedition. We find that this is the best forum for the outlying of responsibilities for each specific project site.