M.A.D Encounters
Make A Difference While Volunteering Abroad
What is a M.A.D Encounter?
Incredible wildlife opportunities while making a difference at the heart. We are dedicated to the conservation and community development across Southern and Eastern Africa, Egypt and Latin America if not. We now want you to share those goals and passions with us! With locations and destinations all over Africa, from Cairo to Cape Town and now Latin America, the choice is yours, where you’d like your ‘difference’ to really count, and that’s not all. From wildlife, marine and environmental conservation, to teaching and medical support, we have a project for anyone who is looking to make a difference, whilst having an experience of a lifetime.
All of our projects have aims and objectives that are monitored regularly to ensure we are achieving what we set out to do and the causes we stand for are benefiting. Whether its conducting vital research on the world-renowned ‘Big 5’ in South Africa, participating in a snare sweep to remove any dangerous traps for wildlife in Zimbabwe, or providing individualised teaching support to local kids in Cairo; you will have a lasting impact on the causes you support but more importantly, they will have a long-lasting effect on you!
But wait, there’s more! Our M.A.D encounters are about more than the incredible work that is happening on the ground. We believe that it is just as important for you as an individual to benefit and grow just as a much, and these projects will help you achieve that. You will meet like-minded people from all over the world and make friends for life. It all starts right here.
With a variety of different locations, each project offers something incredible and unique. As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to experience the best in whichever country you are in! The pyramids in Egypt, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, the Maasai Mara in Kenya, the Amazon Jungle in Peru, the list is endless!
Where can you get involved in a MAD encounter?
- Zimbabwe
- Zambia
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Zanzibar
- Greater Kruger Area
- Cape Town
- Costa Rica
- Peru
- Mexico
- Guatemala
- Cairo
Get more out of your time abroad. Develop your own skills and gain experience.
Rural Community Teaching & Development Project
This project strives to enrich the lives of the underprivileged locals, living in small villages and farms, through many programs focused on improving the community with efforts ranging from educating and protecting street children, to providing a safe haven for stigmatised special needs members of the community.
Location: Cairo
Duration: 2-12 weeks
Cultural Exchange
Make a difference to the lives of rural communities through education, youth empowerment and caring for vulnerable elders in Victoria Falls.
Location: Victoria Falls
Duration: 2 – 12 Weeks
Conservation and Reforestation
Get ready to make a difference towards conservation in a unique ecosystem known as the “Lungs of the Planet”, the Amazon Rainforest to ensure the survival of species constantly under threat
Location: Amazon Jungle
Duration: 2 – 12 weeks
Urban Sustainable Community Development Project
This project is aimed at creating sustainable development to empower the people of one of the largest and most densely populated informal communities in Egypt, through initiatives like teaching, performing arts, vocational training and street improvements.
Location: Cairo
Duration: 2-12 weeks
Education & Early Childhood Development
Make a difference to the children of Cape Town with this education & early development project.
Location: Cape Town
Duration: 2 – 12 Weeks
Education & Community Development
Many schools in rural areas of Zambia are currently suffering from a serious shortage of classrooms, educational resources and formally trained teachers.
Location: Livingstone
Duration: 2 – 12 Weeks
Medical Support Project
A hands-on medical project where you will be supporting the rural communities in Kenya by working in hospitals & clinics.
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Duration: 2 – 12 Weeks
Marine Conservation
Discover the hype of Africa’s most exquisite destinations, the topical paradise of Zanzibar, as you work towards increasing tourism to support the country & carry out vital research on the dolphin population. .
Location: Zanzibar
Duration: 2 – 12 Weeks
Gender Equality
Get ready to live in a rural community on the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro working primarily with women and girls, who we help to educate, inspire and nurture, promoting positive female role models.
Location: Kilimanjaro
Duration: 2 – 12 weeks
Environmental Conservation
Get ready to live and work in Costa Rica’s first official National Park and protected natural reserve and make an impact on the conservation of this 3 million hectare of ‘absolute reserve,’ ensuring the complete protection and preservation of its native flora and fauna.
Location: Nicoya Peninsula, Pacific Coast
Duration: 1 – 12 weeks
Mayan Indigenous Communities Immersion
Get ready to live and work in a farming community outside of Antigua, assisting with activities that provide a modest income to local Mayan families, such as the creation of woven handicrafts, while having unique cultural exchange and experience of their daily life.
Location: Outskirts of Antigua
Duration: 1 – 12 weeks
Sea Turtle Conservation
Get ready to make a difference in one of the most bio-diverse countries, which is home to 5 of 7 sea turtle species in the world, by helping to reverse their risk of extinction by taking an active role in protecting both adult and baby sea turtles
Location: Pacific Coast or Carribean side on specific occasions (depending on seasonal needs)
Duration: 2 – 12 weeks
Teaching & Community Empowerment
Get ready to discover the fascinating Maasai Culture of Tanzania while spending time in a rural village on the foothills of the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro, while helping empower the community as a whole and combat poverty in the region through education, support, mentoring and assistance
Location: Kilimanjaro
Duration: 2 – 12 weeks
Gender Equality
This is your opportunity to go M.A.D. (make a difference) in rural communities who are really struggling on a daily basis and would highly benefit from your support and assistance! What are you waiting for?
Location: Livingstone
Duration: 2 – 12 Weeks
Sports Coaching
Sports is one of the best tools to develop fundamental life skills in children, such as teamwork, commitment, determination, self-belief, understanding and communication!
Location: Livingstone
Duration: 2 – 12 Weeks
Andean Indigenous Community Immersion
Get ready for an authentic immersion experience while living and working with an authentic Quechua Speaking community and gaining a unique insight into traditional social and organization structures. You´ll help by caring for animals and livestock, agricultural work, weaving, creating textiles, preparing traditional foods, construction projects, and working with children at the local school.
Location: Andes Mountains (30 – 60 min from Cusco)
Duration: 1 – 12 weeks
Sea Turtle Conservation
Get ready to make a difference in a truly bio-diverse country, by helping to reverse the risk of extinction of sea turtles by taking an active role in protecting both adult and baby sea turtles.
Location: Pacific Coast
Duration: 2 – 12 weeks
Construction and Community Development
Get ready to make a difference in community development by helping to create infrastructures such as housing, schools, churches, and community centres.
Location: San Jose
Duration: 1 – 12 weeks
Construction & Rehabilitation Project
Get ready to make a difference in community development by helping to create infrastructures such as housing, schools, churches, and community centres.
Location: Antigua
Duration: 1 – 12 weeks
Building and Construction
Get ready to make a difference in community development by helping to create infrastructures such as housing, schools, churches, and community centres.
Location: Cusco
Duration: 1 – 12 weeks
Marine Conservation
Get ready to make a difference and conserve one of the world’s largest reef barriers by protecting the marine ecosystem and collect valuable data while learning how to dive and snorkel in Mexico ́s most beautiful spot!
Location: Puerto Morelos, Caribbean Coast
Duration: 4 – 12 weeks
Construction & Rehabilitation Project
Get ready to make a difference in community development by helping to create infrastructures such as housing, schools, churches, and community centres.
Location: Antigua
Duration: 1 – 12 weeks
Gender Equality
Empower the females of Cape Town with this Gender Equality volunteer project.
Location: Cape Town
Duration: 2 – 12 Weeks
Sports Development
Inspire the people of Cape Town through sports. Bring your passion and make a difference to the local communities.
Location: Cape Town
Duration: 2 – 12 Weeks
Impact WOD
Get fit while making a difference to the local communities of Zimbabwe. A combination of Crossfit and community development.
Location: Antelope Park
Duration: 2 – 12 Weeks
Sandra Jones Centre
Play your part in this busy and vibrant home, as you become a role model, a big sister and so much more for these underprivileged children.
Location: Bulawayo
Duration: 2 – 12 Weeks
