''I was able to write a grant and have it funded by the Pittsburgh Zoo Conservation Fund for $1,500,'' he said. ''We were able to use the funds to organize 100 to 150 villagers who planted octopus trees.'' The trees, which are used for food, fuel and building, can be started by using live branches from existing trees which are stuck into the ground. Prior to some of the Peace Corps work, wooded areas were being used, but not replanted. ''The most exciting thing for me was the village people were able to repeat what we had done with my instruction without any help from me or others,'' he said. The tree is a main food source for a species of lemurs found only in Madagascar.
Garrett Hilpipre served as a Peace Corps Volunteer working in reforestation and eco-tourismin Madagascar
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Hilpipres had done work in Africa
By KAREN WELD Messenger correspondent
POSTED: October 20, 2008
Garrett Hilpipre in Madagascar
After the country selection comes the Peace Corps training, learning more about the country, its people and their language. Garrett Hilpipre was assigned the island of Madagascar. It is the fourth largest island in the world, geographically twice the size of Arizona with a population of 15 million.
''Madagascar is just off the coast, east of South Africa,'' he said. ''The village where I lived was near the southern tip of the country.''
While there were 144 Peace Corps volunteers in Madagascar, he was the only one in his village, where 200 to 300 people lived. He was in his assigned village from February 2006 until May of this year.
Garrett Hilpipre was the second Peace Corps volunteer to be assigned to the village. His job was to continue the work that the first volunteer had begun. He said the feeling of being dropped off by the Peace Corps vehicle and watching it drive away can't be described.
''I had a native home with solar panels on the roof,'' he said. ''The villagers gathered around. I had a limited command of their language (Madagascar has 18 dialects). I knew that I wouldn't see those who had left me off for three months. As I waved goodbye to the vehicle, I couldn't help but think, 'What have I gotten myself into?' ''
It didn't take Hilpipre long to get to know the people who, in his words, ''looked intimidating'' at first. He also learned to enjoy the plants and animals, 85 percent of which are native to Madagascar.
''Because they had had a Peace Corps volunteer with them in the past, they were happy to have me as part of their family,'' he said. ''The goal of Peace Corps is to have three volunteers stay in an assigned village, rotating in one after the other for about six years total, to carry out goals for that area and to teach the village how to continue what has been started.''
One of Hilpipre's projects was reforestation.
''I was able to write a grant and have it funded by the Pittsburgh Zoo Conservation Fund for $1,500,'' he said. ''We were able to use the funds to organize 100 to 150 villagers who planted octopus trees.''
The trees, which are used for food, fuel and building, can be started by using live branches from existing trees which are stuck into the ground. Prior to some of the Peace Corps work, wooded areas were being used, but not replanted.
''The most exciting thing for me was the village people were able to repeat what we had done with my instruction without any help from me or others,'' he said. The tree is a main food source for a species of lemurs found only in Madagascar.
Another favorite project was upgrading work supporting eco-tourism.
''With all of the plants and animals in Madagascar which are only found on the island,'' said Hilpipre, ''there are many travelers who are interested in research or study. We worked to develop the infrastructure, train guides, set rates, figure out travel maps, make improvements in roads and camp sites. These things make it more user-friendly to anyone visiting the area.''
While there was lots of work to be done, Hilpipre had time to interact with the villagers and enjoy their customs.
''The next closest Peace Corps worker was about seven hours away,'' Hilpipre said. "But I had the opportunity to meet up with him now and then, which was great.''
