A UK based charity is looking for help from the building trade to implement its most ambitious building project to date, which looks to help children in one of the most disadvantages countries on the planet.

Madagascar often makes headlines for its wildlife, famed for its diversity of animal species and in particular its lemurs, but the African island is also home to some of the poorest people on the planet. 92% of the population live below the poverty line of $2 a day and as many as 4 in 10 children in rural areas die before the age of five from easily preventable diseases such as diarrhoea.

A small UK based charity called SEED Madagascar have been helping both the people and wildlife of the African nation for nearly 20 years and have become one of Britain’s most important contributors to the island, but they need your help.

As part of their work, SEED Madagascar regularly help build schools, wells and toilet facilities. The former being part of an ongoing project aiming to increase education in the country and thus give people the tools they need to bring themselves out of poverty, whilst simple wells and toilet facilities help deal with hygiene and disease.

The charity’s latest project, which they are set to begin in January 2019, will be their largest building yet. Whilst very modest by British standards, the three classroom school  SEED Madagascar are looking to build will provide an extra 150 places in a region  where almost 50% of children currently don’t go to school, often because there are no available or accessible places. Alongside the actual building, the project will also provide all the necessary furniture for the school and will be accompanied by male and female toilets, a rarity in the country, which will help with sanitation levels for the pupils.

To ensure the project is successful the charity need to raise approximately £70,000 and are in urgent need of volunteers with building and construction experience.

If this sounds like you, you can make a huge difference to the lives of the people of Madagascar through this kind of project, as Ross Chamberlain, Director of Blueprint Construction & Development Ltd, explains…

“I’m an electrician and general builder as well as SEED trustee. Having worked with SEED Madagascar on a number of water, sanitation and building projects, I have first-hand experience of how much difference those with building skills can make in the country. I swapped knowledge with local tradesmen who taught me about their building materials and methods. It was a fascinating and supremely rewarding experience. Whether you can spare a couple of weeks, fund someone’s trip or simply make a donation, this is an incredible cause to get behind.”

Of course it’s not ‘all work and no play’ and whilst helping in Madagascar there’s plenty of opportunity to enjoy the incredible experiences and landscapes the island has to offer, from some of the world’s most stunning beaches, coral reefs and jungles to meeting friendly locals and learning about their culture. And then of course there’s the lemurs!

“If people are looking for something exceptionally exciting to do in their time off there is no more charismatic country to visit in the world – from the beautiful isolated beaches and world famous lemurs to charming coastal towns and friendly locals there are few places on Earth that can rival the fascination and adventure found in Madagascar.” – Mark Jacobs, Managing Director, SEED Madagascar

If you work in the industry and feel you have something to offer, whether you’re an individual with relevant skills, a company director who may be able to fund a placement or would simply like to make a donation please contact SEED Madagascar on 020 8960 6629 / info@seedmadagascar.org

Please note that there are costs associated with the placements, including flights, but many volunteers cover these through fundraising.