The Madagascar 2012 Expedition will follow 14 years of world travel and community projects organised by The Coopers' Company and Coborn School. In 2012 a group of 34 year 12 and 13 students will spend one month in Madagascar, with the aim of completing the building of a secondary school block in the Merina village of Andranosoa. Pupils will also spend time experiencing the vulnerable wildlife, people and landscapes of what is a unique country by travelling to the west coast via a 3 day canoe journey along the Tsiribihina river, visiting the Tsingy de Bemaraha, Kirindy Forest and the Avenue de Baobab. As a team, we are hoping to raise £20,000 to cover costs for the charity project. The aim of this blog is to provide information about Madagascar, the team and the fund-raising project. Please visit the pages shown on the right to learn more about the expedition.

Thursday, 30 August 2012

Photos now on Flickr

I have set up a separate Photo page on the right hand menu.

http://www.madagascarexpedition2012.com/p/photos-on-flickr.html

Please sign up to Flickr and upload some of your own photos so that I can then put the slideshow links on here. 
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Monday, 6 August 2012

Week 4: Andranosoa Opening Ceremony

George and Lauren, our Head boy and Girl give a speech to the crowd of 300 Assembled villagers and dignitaries.

The local children taught us how to dance as a way of saying thank you for our fundraising and hard work.

A member of the Madagascar Ministry of Education formally opens the school. The day was recorded by national television and shown on the national news!
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Week 4: Morondava- Chez Maggie

A local man and his wife drive a zebu cart through the Avenue de Baobabs


Zebu Carts are the local form of transport. 


Gary Lemmer (Remote Rivers), Mr Cornish and Ludo (Remote Rivers) at Chez Maggie


The last night at Chez Maggie saw a campfire on the beach with songs and lasting memories. 

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Week 4: Belo Sur Mer

The 4 hr journey to Belo Sur Mer wasn't the easiest and involved 2 river crossings in our fleet of 9 4x4s. 

The journey to the coral islands was enjoyed by all. Some swum in the azure waters, some sun bathed, while others in the group collected shells of all shapes, colours and sizes from the beach, recently designated a national park. 

Grace's birthday celebrations involved the Malagasy version of One Direction teaching us how to dance follow-the-leader style in circles on the beach as the sun slipped below the horizon. 
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Week 3: Mangily and Kirindy Forest

The boys play football on the beach while the girls watch- a common occurrence on this trip!

Setting up camp on the sand dunes overlooking an empty 2 mile stretch of white sand beach. 

A night walk in Kirindy forest gave the group an opportunity to observe at least four species of nocturnal lemur.  Most pupils were lucky to be able to see Madame Berthe's Mouse lemur, the smallest primate in the world. 


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Week 3: Tsingy De Bemaraha

The view from the top was awe-inspiring. The Limestone pinnacles rise 70m above the fragments of forest that are adapted to grow in the canyons below. 


George tests the strength of the rope knowing that if he slips- he takes everyone else with him!


Mr Opie's Group make it to the top of the Grand Tsingy. 


As well as climbing and caving, the Tsing gave us the opportunity to observe endemic species such as this Brown Lemur jumping from rock to rock. 

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Week 2: Tsiribihina river

Pupils spent over 3 days paddling down the windy river camping on the large sand banks on the side. 


Camp one saw a cloudless night with the Milky Way stretching right over the camp. 

Morning Exercise included kick ups with the river guides. 


A rarely visited waterfall meant a welcome swim and shower for the group. 

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