MadagascarConnect

The CultureConnect student ambassadors on our 2022 trip to Madagascar.

MadagascarConnect introduces local students to the environment, economy, culture and people of Madagascar. Students examine local and global issues as they prepare for a biennial trip to the country. While there, they engage with community-based organizations and leaders, teach rudimentary English to artisan-vendors, participate in a reforestation project and connect with local children through dance and games. Upon their return from Madagascar, students share their experiences with our own community, raising awareness and building cultural connections.

MadagascarConnect Student Experience

Student ambassadors from our 2022 trip share their experiences in Madagascar.

Video Created by: Rabab Haj Yahya & Frances Nathan. Madagascar Footage Courtesy of: Frances Nathan, Ezra Steinman, Madison White , & Henry Frischknecht . "Miara Nono Zaza" Written and performed by Mikahely.

The History of MadagascarConnect

Our student ambassadors reflect on their 2019 Madagascar trip. Video credit: Rabab Haj Yahya

MadagascarConnect grew out of a relationship forged between Dr. Patricia Wright, preeminent anthropologist and conservationist, and the Rhinebeck Central School District. Dr. Wright is renowned for her work on wild lemurs in Madagascar. She was instrumental in establishing Ranomafana National Park in Madagascar and Centro ValBio, a modern research station adjacent to the park and affiliated with Stony Brook University. She and philanthropist Susan Findel, eager to bring learning about the beauty and challenges of Madagascar to K-12 students, presented an opportunity to provide their knowledge and expertise to programming about Madagascar in the schools. Middle school teacher Henry Frischknecht spearheaded such programming over several years. His addition to the CultureConnect board in 2015 led to the development of the MadagascarConnect program.

Over the course of the year before traveling to Madagascar, selected ambassadors plan and execute fundraising activities and take part in intensive education about Madagascar. During the three-week stay in Madagascar, ambassadors participate in both educational and cultural activities, such as, diving into theatre performances with Malagasy students, observing research, meeting with resident scientists and officials, exploring the natural environment and working with local Malagasy artisans.

Our inaugural trip, in 2017, brought five high school student ambassadors to Madagascar for three weeks. In 2018, a pen pal program was inaugurated between Rhinebeck middle school students and students at Zara Aina, a program in Antananarivo for at-risk youth.

In 2019, seven ambassadors went on our second trip to Madagascar, and in 2022, 10 students went on the trip.

On our most recent trip, in the summer of 2024, nine ambassadors traveled to Madagascar

Ambassadors must apply to the program and are selected by a committee of the CultureConnect Board of Directors. The next trip planned is for summer 2026.

Follow us on social media for updates.

Read an article about the 2024 trip in the Daily Catch here.

Read the stories from the participants of our 2019 Madagascar trip here.

Questions about the program can be directed to madaconnect@cultureconnectrbk.org