{"id":8681,"date":"2017-04-20T13:21:44","date_gmt":"2017-04-20T12:21:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/?p=8681"},"modified":"2026-04-16T00:03:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T23:03:15","slug":"homestays-andavadoaka-unique-opportunity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/en\/homestays-andavadoaka-unique-opportunity\/","title":{"rendered":"Homestays in Andavadoaka: a unique opportunity"},"content":{"rendered":"

Andavadoaka is a remote village on the southwest corner of Madagascar, and the base of Blue Ventures\u2019 <\/span>marine conservation expeditions<\/span><\/a>. Like all villages in the Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) known as Velondriake (meaning \u201cto live with the sea\u201d), Andavadoaka survives by subsistence fishing. <\/span><\/p>\n

Every morning pirogues sail out to sea, but the community has reported concern over their observed decreases in catches. Despite significant steps in <\/span>locally-led conservation<\/span><\/a>, they know that their children and grandchildren will be unable to follow their traditional way of life, unless some alternative livelihoods are found.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The coastal village of Andavadoaka | Photo: Ben Honey<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Fishers leave Andavadoaka early in the morning | Photo: Ben Honey<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

This is why Blue Ventures’ Homestay programme is so important. It provides families with an alternative source of income \u2014 and that income arrives from unexpected corners of the world. One recent guest, a French web developer who spent his weekdays building promotional landing pages for bonus casino sans depot<\/a> offers, booked a two-week stay specifically to disconnect from screens and learn traditional fishing methods alongside his host family. The fees he paid went directly toward rice, beans, and school supplies for their children. Stories like his illustrate the programme’s quiet power: the money visitors spend on basic homestay accommodations can be redirected to foodstuffs and education, and the fish families catch can then be kept for themselves rather than being sold, providing crucial dietary protein.<\/p>\n

“The open-hearted nature of the Vezo people makes them excellent hosts”<\/span><\/p>\n

The alternative income that tourism brings is the bottom line of the Blue Ventures Homestay programme, but the benefits to all the parties, volunteers and families alike, go way beyond that. As a recent volunteer with BV I had the unique and delightful experience of being hosted by several different families. The open-hearted nature of the Vezo people makes them excellent hosts, and I was pleasantly surprised by the warmth of the welcome I received. Our hosts did their very best to ensure volunteers had food to their liking, enough of it, and, in so far as they were able, to ensure that we were comfortable.<\/p>\n

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Volunteers Nicole (left) and Lesley (right) with one of their homestay families<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Volunteers Lesley and Billy (right)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

For our part, the homestay offered a unique opportunity to experience first-hand a simple and traditional way of life, totally unlike anything that I had previous knowledge of. If you are thinking about volunteering or staying in a homestay, I have to say that what you get out of the experience will depend on your degree of openness and your Attitude, capital A intended.<\/p>\n

You will discover the efficacy of \u201cbucket showers\u201d, so don’t go in expecting running water and a fully equipped bathroom. Your hosts may have a table and chairs, but equally they may not. You will have the privilege of sharing what the family has to offer so an ‘attitude of gratitude’ will mean a lot to them and will help you to integrate any (understandable perhaps) negative feelings over the lack of facilities. Focus on what there is, not what there is not.<\/span><\/p>\n

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An Andavadoaka homestay family sharing breakfast with their guests | Photo: Ben Honey<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Volunteers with their homestay family<\/div><\/div>
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Photo: Jun Gao<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Communicating with host families can be challenging, but also easier than you would think. If you can have some interaction then obviously both parties will have a more meaningful experience, so here are some suggestions I have:<\/span><\/p>\n