I want to move to Madagascar and start my own charity - need info
Last activity 07 October 2014 by 2306russell
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Hi guys.
I am planing on moving to either Madagascar or Kenya - not really sure where yet.
Can anybody please tell me where in Madagascar is the best place to life?
From what I can read I think I would like to avoid the really big cities.
My plan is to move there in a year and start a place for kids (after school activities ect.)
Anybody with experience in this field? Is it difficult getting approved by the government, will locals welcome such a thing ect.?
I find it quite difficult to find information online.
Thank you
// Regitze
The first question to ask is about language.
If English is your strongest language then Kenya would be the choice. If you speak French, then Madagascar would be best.
In Madagascar: You need to set up a company, it can be done for a few thousand dollars. That qualifies you for an investors visa. You then need to pay for your visa. That depends on how many years you want to stay. All up, you could set up in Madagascar (in terms of company, visa, legals and paperwork) for about 4,000 dollars.
If you want charity status in Madagascar you will then need to set up an Association and apply for NGO status. That will cost too, but not very much. Mainly for that, you need people, because for NGO status you need a committee. You can't control an NGO as an individual.
I can help if you need help, send me a message.
Best wishes
Brett
I forgot to mention, when you arrive in Madagascar, you MUST have a transformable visa. If you arrive with a tourist visa, there is no way you can change it to a residency visa, so, you either need an invitation from someone in Madagascar before you leave your home country and get your nearest embassy to fix up your transformable visa, or, you need to come here, get the invitation, leave the country again, and re-apply from outside.
Hi Brett
Thanks for the info sent. Just some questions.Would you or someone be able to give me a invitation so i can apply for a transformable visa? There is a Madagascar embassy in Cape Town South Africa. I'm looking at the cheapest option to get into the country (4000 dollars is about 40000 rand) i would probably only have about that after airfares etc. My French is very limited but would learn some before relocating, I see you stay in Fort Dauphin which is one of the places i'm looking at staying or in the Tulear Region.I would also need to work . Any contacts or suggestions?
Thanks for now.
Russell
Hi Russell I already posted a reply to your question on your own thread earlier today, but to explain briefly... I have a long history doing NGO work here but these days I have a company that is involved in tourism. Apart from that, I also am able to offer my experience here to people who want help in getting set up in Madagascar. I specialise in helping people who speak English and don't want to deal with the authorities here in French. I can only provide the part that gets you established, such as your documents and visa. I can't help you with finding a job. But you know, to get set up in a new country costs some money, I'm not sure if you sound like you are ready? You cannot work in Madagascar unless you have a job offer from a Malagasy company and make an application to the ministry of foreign affairs, and normally, it would be your employer who did that for you, or, you set up your own company, get an investors visa, and that can over time be transformed into a permanent residents visa. Then you create business for yourself or your company subcontracts to another organisation. It might be easier for you to look at mining jobs, and ask your new employer to organise your visa. Do please be aware that Madagascar is one of the poorest countries on earth, the poorest country on earth that is not at war. It is not easy generating income here.
Hi Brett. Thanks for that. I get that the way to go is starting my own business. I don't have a problem with that at all only to decide what is needed or lacking in Madagascar to make a company successful . My e mail is russell. quibell@gmail.com l would like to correspond further with you via e mail if this is okay with you forwarding me your e mail address.
Thanks again.
Russell