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The Comoros is an island country off the shore of East Africa, in the Indian Ocean among northern Mozambique and northern Madagascar. It is the third poorest country in the world, workers can expect to earn around $1 - 1.5 a day for basic employment. Comoros is made up of three islands that have insufficient transportation links, a young and rapidly growing population, and few natural resources. Weather: Tropical marine; rainy and hot season (November to May). Culture: Almost all of the educated populace of the Comoros has attended Quranic schools at some point in their life, often before regular schooling. Here boys and girls are taught about the Quran, and memorize it. Some parents specifically choose this early schooling to offset French schools children usually attend later. Since independence and the ejection of French teachers, the education system has been plagued by poor teacher training and poor results, though latest firmness may allow for extensive improvements.

Talk: Comorian (Shikomori) is the most commonly used language in the Comoros. It is a close comparative of Swahili with a very strong Arabic influence, and is one of the three official languages of the Comoros, next to French and Arabic. Each island has a slightly different dialect; that of Anjouan is called Shindzuani, that of Moheli Shimwali, that of Mayotte Shimaore, and that of Grande Comore Shingazidja. No certified alphabet existed in 1992, but Arabic and Latin scripts were both used. Eat & Drink: Visitors are advised not to eat any of the local food unless it has been cooked through. One speciality available on the island is the "Djak", a large, green fruit (about 1.5 - 2 feet in length) with a taste resembling lychee. Alcohol is readily available in Moroni from Indian and Chinese merchants near Volo Volo. Castle beer from South Africa and cheap boxed wine from France are widespread.

Buy: Handicrafts are not typically of fine quality, though women of Mayotte as well as a few women in Grand Comore make quality baskets. One can buy CD's (burned), colorful cloths that women wear (500 KmF for a numbawani and 750 KmF for a finer shawl), beautiful scarves (2,000 KmF), and other imports. Do not buy shells from vendors on the beach. Costs: Because the Comoros are isolated islands, prices tend to be more expensive than the rest of East Africa. The cheapest hotels or bungalows in Moroni (the most expensive lodging region of the Comoros) may cost 20 euros or as little as 10 if you bargain hard. One could get by on around 6,000-10,000 KmF (12-20 euros) per day for food and lodging. Learn: Learning facilities on the islands, like most facilities, are underdeveloped. There a several schools on the island of Grand Comore, and one college. These are all strictly lacking in assets and funding.