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Whilst offering a relaxing place to unwind and spend your holiday we feel that with every visit people also have the opportunity to give back to the local community. We encourage all guests to visit local schools and donate stationary materials and learning products. We also support a large range of local artists, musicians and craftsmen. Regular musical events are held at the hotel in it’s gardens to provide entertainment to guests and locals as well as supporting the musicians themselves. Guests also have the opportunity to purchase local artwork and carvings which have been produced by the local community.
We have worked with local people and used a local workforce in the construction of the hotel for the last 5 years. We are a major part of the community in Brufut and directly or indirectly contribute to the local economy, by offering business opportunities, helping sell local produce, organising events and supporting the local schools and football team. We arrange and operate entertainment for local schools and local residents of the village. We also aim to train staff up and gain growth in the business organically rather than employ people from the outside. The hotel currently employs about 25 people, all of whom are resident Gambians. The only outside employment are the owners of the hotel.
All clothes and materials are reused and all fabrics used have been handmade in Mali and Sierra Leone. Furniture in the rooms and outside has all been made out of wood, sourced locally. The furniture was made by a local carpenter. All building has been undertaken by locals and all materials were sourced locally. No fuel powered machinery was used in the construction of the hotel. The construction has been wholly undertaken by hand.
We have installed solar powered water heaters, cavity walls, Louvre windows rather than air conditioning and replanted more trees and flowers than have been removed. The hotel is powered by main line power but this is kept to a minimum during off peak hours. We apply energy saving measures within the hotel by using energy saving light bulbs and candles at night. The hotel has also been built in accordance to UK standards in terms of insulation. We have built cavity walls therefore the rooms are well insulated to keep them cool as well as warm.
All natural waste is recycled by composting it and then applying it as fertilizer. Natural waste is also fed to local animals. All glass bottles and plastics are recycled. Cardboard and paper is sent for recycling or is used to provide energy for local people. All towels and bed linen are changed once a week rather than daily so that water consumption can be reduced.
During the rainy season water is collected in tanks but as it does not rain from Nov to June we use a well as our water source. This water is purified and this reduces the need for bottled water etc... All of our food is purchased fresh locally. We also use all produce from our trees and plants in the hotel grounds, eg: oranges, bananas, mangos, passion fruit, root vegetables etc. All food made available is subject to seasonal availability.
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