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The specific Community Development Project in which the Guests participate is the result of a fair research among villagers, families, students, disadvantaged communities and groups. The great scope of the populations touched by our actions assures a general and well spread wave of assistance throughout the whole region. 20% of the cost of this trip is invested directly into the specific humanitarian project. Each of our community development projects involve several different groups of workers, artists and families. We provide them with sustainable employment and allow them to build personal financial security.
On this Senegal holiday all of the materials and day to day necessities are bought from local stores and markets. These establishments employ local people and source food and beverages locally. All of this benefits the local economy. Tour leaders and local guides constantly inform and advise guests on local rules and traditions and social conventions to which they should be sensitive to, such as:
BEGGING – Try to avoid giving out money, candies and small objects. Our actions aim to provide a real and lasting education for children and people in need, consigning gifts, goods and materials to the leaders of the village or families we are visiting, for a fair and proper distribution.
PHOTOGRAPHS – Always ask permission before taking photos of local people and respect their decision.
RELIGION AND DRESS CODES: Respect local beliefs and customs, as a proof of higher understanding and willing to share and interact.
We encourage our guests to buy souvenirs such as arts, crafts and clothes locally as well as eat and drink in locally owned bars and restaurants. All activities enjoyed by our visitors are authentic and representative of the local community. Guests are taken to attend and participate in local shows, events and concerts, when scheduled during their stay; an additional chance is given to our guests to appreciate the cultural skills and trends of the region, to enhance their cultural awareness of the local realities, and at the same time help the local economy. Our non-profit association has been committed to offering inspiring journeys aiming to awake a true awareness of the regions visited, with a profound respect for Nature and the environment. From this awareness and respect comes a reverence for all living matters in the eco-zone visited.
We always travel in small groups (a maximum of 7, average group size of 4) that are less intrusive on villages and in natural areas, where waste treatment is extremely difficult. Guests are instructed on arrival about waste disposal and are advised on our “Leave No Trace” policies and principles: leave the area as we found it, do not remove anything and take all unwanted possessions or waste with us until a suitable disposal facility is found.
Guides prepare meals and snacks for guests from foods that are purchased locally and best represent the region’s cuisine. Our Guesthouse menu is filled with rich and tasteful local meals and recipes. Guests are gladly taken to local markets as to provide food and ingredients, and then invited to learn local cooking skills. Mr. Kalilou, the associations most-loved Chef, will happily introduce our guests to a journey into recipes, food tales and the arts of meal preparing.
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!
