Volunteer teaching in Nosy Be

This project supports Nosy Be’s public primary and secondary schools, where large classes and limited resources can make individual attention difficult. On an island where tourism matters, learning and using English is a useful skill to develop at school.

Join the teachers’ routine, helping prepare lessons and materials and supporting pupils during activities. Language games, stories, songs and simple exercises create more chances to practise. Adapt your ideas with the teachers to the class’s age and current topics. If you’d like to do more, you can also spend two afternoon hours at the community centre.

You’ll need intermediate English. Orientation introduces the team and island life; shared meals, conversations with other participants and your first greetings in Malagasy help shape the rest of your stay. After school and at weekends, there’s time to discover Nosy Be with advice from local staff.

You can take part from age 18 with intermediate English. Basic French is useful, and no teaching qualification is required. A passport copy is required at registration. For HeyLocals’ criminal record screening, complete a self-declaration in your personal account. Participants over 65 need a medical fitness certificate. Orientation includes safeguarding, the code of conduct and consent for photos and other content.

You’re welcome to join on your own. Orientation, meals and shared spaces offer chances to meet the team and fellow participants. The Hell-Ville visit and Malagasy lesson help you settle into island life.

In your free time, arrange an outing, swap ideas for school or relax on the balcony. The staff can suggest places nearby. Be back at the accommodation by 20:30. Optional outings and excursions aren’t included in the fee.

🏡 The participant house is your base after activities and a place to settle into Nosy Be life. Stay in a shared room for 2–4 people, with a shared bathroom. Hot showers, bedding, a fan, mosquito protection and a lockable wardrobe are provided. Bring your own towels.

The dining room, two lounge areas and balcony make it easy to spend time together. Stop for a chat, swap project ideas or make free-time plans with other participants. Meals are part of this shared routine too. Three meals on weekdays, two at weekends and drinking water are included. Expect home-cooked Malagasy and Western dishes, with rice, vegetables and some meat options. Vegetarian meals are available. Tell us about allergies or dietary needs before travel so the team can plan.

You can use the kitchen and fridge. Restaurants, snacks and extra meals are separate expenses. A local SIM is useful for messages and maps. Rooms don’t have air conditioning or safes.

Be back at the house by 20:30. Respecting this time and keeping spaces tidy helps everyone share the stay. Alcohol and outside visitors aren’t allowed at the accommodation.

🛡️ The local team is your point of contact for project activities, everyday arrangements and any difficulties during your stay. On arrival, learn how to get around, use local transport and follow house and project rules. An emergency contact is available 24 hours a day.

Working with children and teenagers means preparing to respect their welfare. A passport copy is required at registration. For HeyLocals’ criminal record screening, you’ll complete a self-declaration in your personal account. Orientation covers the code of conduct, safeguarding and consent for photos and other content. In class, work alongside the teachers and follow their guidance.

Bring school-appropriate clothing that respects local customs, with shoulders and knees covered. Keep documents and belongings secure; rooms and wardrobes are lockable. Follow the team’s transport advice and choose reliable services. Avoid walking alone at night or visiting isolated places.

Before departure, discuss travel health with your doctor or a travel clinic, and share relevant medical needs with the team. Arrange insurance that covers medical care, emergencies, programme activities and medical repatriation. Tell the staff promptly if you feel unwell or have a problem, so they can help you access appropriate care.

🧭 Your first Monday is for compulsory orientation: a day to meet the people you’ll work with, understand the project and get your bearings in Nosy Be. School activities begin on Tuesday.

After breakfast, meet the team and look around the centre. Discuss house rules, the code of conduct, local customs and transport, including using tuk-tuks. Clarify your role and learn the safeguarding and photo-consent rules that are part of preparing to work in schools.

The day includes an introduction to island culture and a basic Malagasy language lesson. Visit Hell-Ville to find the market, currency exchange, cash machines and somewhere to buy a SIM. If time allows, there may also be a visit to Mont Passot.

Dinner at the house is a chance to meet other participants and share first impressions before settling into the project’s routine.

✈️ Book your flight to Fascene, Nosy Be’s airport (NOS), arriving on Sunday. Airport pickup is included between 08:00 and 20:00 and takes you to the participant house. Agree your dates with HeyLocals before buying tickets. Once booked, send your flight number, airline and arrival time so the team can prepare to welcome you.

After collecting bags and clearing customs, head to the exit specified in your personal arrival instructions. A coordinator will wait with an identifying sign. If other participants arrive around the same time, you may wait and travel together. Keep instructions and contacts available offline. If you can’t find your representative, stay at the meeting point and call; if you can’t reach them, send a message and try again. Let the team know about flight delays or changes too.

Pickup outside the standard hours can be arranged separately and costs extra. The road journey to the accommodation takes around half an hour. If you’re arriving independently, agree the details beforehand: Sunday access to the house is between 06:00 and 21:30.

Your stay ends on Saturday morning. The return airport taxi isn’t included. Extra nights, arrival on another day or travel after the project should be agreed with HeyLocals and the local team in advance, so accommodation and transport fit your itinerary.