Category: Volunteer Stories
Straight from the (sea)horse’s mouth… Check out these stories from our expedition volunteers in Madagascar and Belize!
A warm welcome on Ataúro
Volunteer Mackenzie Burke came to Ataúro Island for the diving and the marine science, but was blown away by the welcome she received from her host community.
A transformational experience
Belize volunteer Jane Stephens describes her expedition experience and how she overcame her scuba diving nerves at Bacalar Chico Dive Camp.
Diving into Timor-Leste
Timor-Leste volunteer Fiona Westheim describes a coral identification dive from her marine conservation expedition.
Homestays in Andavadoaka: a unique opportunity
Lesley Wicks, one of the first volunteers to experience the Homestay programme in Andavadoaka, gives her perspective on the experience, and some useful advice!
Water between the rocks: a volunteer’s experience of Sarteneja
Before heading off to the gorgeous but isolated Bacalar Chico Dive Camp, Blue Ventures’ Belize volunteers spend some time in the coastal village of Sarteneja for a more immersive experience of the country’s people and culture. This is Tom Smart’s...
Jared’s journey: gaining new perspectives on life above and below the water
Recent marine conservation volunteer Jared describes his experiences of cultural immersion, stunning diving, and the broadening of his perspectives of the world.
Helping Babies Breathe: reducing newborn deaths in Velondriake
Volunteer medic Emily Clark revisits Andavadoaka with Dr Alison Leaf to train public health staff in vital neonatal care.
Coral bleaching: a volunteer’s perspective
Our Madagascar volunteer Sophie Plant has now witnessed coral bleaching first hand, an experience she found shocking, but also inspiring.
El Niño explained: The global weather phenomenon that contributes to coral bleaching
Our Andavadoaka volunteer Sophie Plant, who has now seen coral bleaching firsthand, shares her knowledge on the role of El Niño in global bleaching events
Counting for conservation: the Belize National Lionfish Survey
Science Interns Julia Rubin and Anna Simmons recall 3 months spent surveying 50 different reef sites across 5 of Belize’s marine reserves.
Life as a BV volunteer in Belize
Michael volunteered with Blue Ventures in Belize in November 2015. Find out about his experience from hitting the books to hitting the water.
The most remarkable place…
by Drew Lindqvist, BV Volunteer, Madagascar I don’t know how to begin concerning a description of Andavadoaka, let alone Madagascar, except to say that it’s the most remarkable corner of the earth I’ve ever been invited to discover. It may...
A day in the life: Not your average Wednesday
by Madison Kane, Expedition Manager, Madagascar From the perspective of a staff member who was once a volunteer, I understand the ‘I’m-only-here-for-six-weeks’ feeling and making an effort to get everything you want done, in just 45 days. Knowing this feeling, we...
Learning about lionfish
By Susan Adams, expedition volunteer, Belize As an interdisciplinary marine conservation organisation, Blue Ventures targets its efforts across many levels. In Belize, the main focus is tackling the lionfish invasion that is threatening to decimate juvenile fish populations in the local...
Aquaculture under the stars in Tampolove
By Johanna Medvey, Blue Ventures volunteer, Andavadoaka, Madagascar We bump along the sandy tracks leading away from Andavadoaka, perched in our trusty ox carts as the sun rises and tinges the baobab trees pink. Our group of nine volunteers and three staff...