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ways for me to be involved with the project. The
first occasion was a visit to Marojejy National Park
with Audra Bass and Allison Rogers, Duke Universi-
ty students who came to Madagascar with the
DukeEngage program. Although I had never visited
Marojejy before, accompanying students with biol-
ogy or evolution research background had its ad-
vantages. And the fact our tour guides, Jackson
and Rabary, were both living nature encyclopedias
did not hurt either! Their passion for nature and
conservation made me appreciate everything Ma-
rojejy offered a lot more than if we had gone with-
out a quality guide. A scene that left a strong im-
pression on me from that trip was the view from
the mountain summit. Not only because the view
was breathtaking, quite literally since we were all
(except for Jackson) out of breath when we
reached the summit, but also because I could see
how much of forest had been cleared. There was a
stark difference between where people lived and
the protected area of the park. At that moment I
was very grateful to know that projects like SAVA
Conservation existed in the SAVA region to protect forest and provide environmental education to the people there.
The second occasion for me to work with SAVA Conservation was when they organized a field trip for the students
from the CEG school in Nosiarina, to visit Antanetiambo Nature Reserve. On this field trip, the students had the
chance to see some Bamboo Lemurs and other species in the Reserve, and ended with an inspiring speech from Ra-
bary on the importance of conservation. Following the reserve visit, we watched a BBC documentary translated into
Malagasy, on Madagascar’s biodiversity. At the end of the movie, there was a short Q&A session, led by SAVA Conser-
vation environmental education coordinator, Joxe, to see how the students responded to the movie and the whole
trip in general. It was very exciting for me to see how involved and enthusiastic the students were throughout the
whole trip. I always remember Malagasy students to be very shy, especially when they are put on the spot. Although
everyone was tired at the end of the day, the car ride home was still very animated with discussion about what they
learned and singing along to the radio.
Like the students, I also learned a lot from the trip. Speaking for the majority of Malagasy people, we really do not
know or understand the value of our environment and we take it for granted. For the students who came on the field
trip and other children, especially those in the countryside, a walk in the forest is not something to do for fun, but ra-
ther it is a chore. In such a relaxed and fun environment, the students were able to learn and appreciate the value of
the things they see on daily basis. At least, that is what I hope they got from the trip. Personally, the field trip was a
great way for me to reconnect with the current students of Nosiarina, especially now that my friends have all left to
continue their studies elsewhere as well. I feel as if I have grown further and further away from the younger students
in my hometown and I really wanted to find a way to interact with them. This environmental education field trip was
the perfect way to start.
The short time I spent with SAVA Conservation gave me a little glimpse of the larger work they do in the SAVA re-
gion in promoting environmental conservation. Ever since my first visit home after being gone for two years, I have
developed an interest in international development as a career choice. A lot of the choices I have made in college all
revolve around my goal of one day entering the development field. What I find intriguing about development is its
flexibility; one can choose to work in education, health, conservation, and many more areas. Thanks to SAVA Conser-
vation my interest in development as a career choice has not only deepened, but I also believe I am getting closer to
choosing which specific field to pursue as I plan my post-graduate career.
Silky sifaka in Marojejy.
Photo by Steve Coombs
An Unusual Story
Continued
