Description

The H.E.L.P. Organization's unique travel initiatives: The concept is to merge a holiday trip with a humanitarian action, and to make that accessible to everybody. Our goal is for you to enjoy an unforgettable stay through a travel itinerary enhanced by an humanitarian mission adapted to your affinities, scheduled with you before your arrival, and experienced in all of its aspects during your sojourn. You will be welcomed by our staff at your arrival.

Various excursions plus river and overland journeys will take place. A vast diversity of circuits are in store for you: logistic and all meals are taken care by the association. Furthermore, being part of the H.E.L.P. Travel community, you won't be considered as ordinary tourists, giving the gift of deeper contacts and experiences with local populations. The quality of food, lodging and transportation are always extremely comfortable, according to the highest standards of security and hygiene. The trips and excursions are always settled towards sites unknown by classic tourism, allowing you then to enjoy places and situations still preserved and uncommon, giving you the chance to experience feelings and visions not usually perceived in an ordinary vacation. All of the conditions and situations will be settled to allow you to live a unique experience: an adventure that will change your life forever, and those of whom you don't know yet but that you will never forget.

Highlights

The act of sharing and exchanging is the key to open many doors: getting through them is the beginning of the H.E.L.P. Experience, with its special encounters and precious discoveries; the sounds, rhythms and emotions will fulfill our spirit for the time to come.

Our aid-proximity missions are multiple and adaptable to your sensibility; following are some examples:

* bring provisions to kids inside tropical forest villages
* build and implant goal posts on village youth playgrounds
* bring supplies to local croppers families and participate in the Casamance rice harvest
* take part in the construction of a well for water supplies
* provide musical instruments and organize dance and music shows with local cultural organizations
* donate materials to fisherman families to optimize their activity and join them in their fishing day
* bring needful and necessary equipments and gears to handicapped people
* organization and financing of a baptism
* school provisions and equipment for a class of junior high students
* ameliorate and improve working conditions of local markets' saleswomen
* bringing in sports gear and equipment to local teams

The participants will really learn to get to know this people and exchange with them much more than material items, as the real gift is the time and interest shared together, and the mutual enrichment that will be achieved from this communion.

From your arrival in Ziguinchor you will be taken in charge by the H.E.L.P. Travel staff, and you will be received and hosted in the Association' Guesthouse, our social-cultural center: located on a 1200square meters private lot, the main building features 4 private double bedrooms with en-suite, an extra large living room with Moroccan-style sofas, other common areas and a full kitchen; a large flowery garden faces the entrance of the Guesthouse, and the 400square meters back-yard offers a large veranda on the coolness of palm and mango trees. The rooms are fully furnished and decorated on an essential/minimalist style, with several touches of African Art; The atmosphere is warm and friendly, deep in tune with the happiness inhabiting the Casamance region.

Logistic, excursions, visits, celebrations and all meals are taken care by the Association.

Travel Types

• Eco Tours
• Native Culture Studies
• 4th World Studies
• Off Road / 4X4 Driving
• Tours
• RainForest Tours
• Overland Tours
• Fishing
• Nature Tours
• Photography
• Homestay
• Student Tours
• Language Immersion
• Volunteering

Cost in US$:

from 2,000 to 3,500

Program Fees Include:

The totality of your Funding will be invested as follow:
* 20% financing of your project
* 60% project planning, full board, itinerary and logistic
* 20% participation to the Association's costs

The cost includes:
* Full board, all meals;
* Sightseeing as shown in the itineraries;
* All entrance fees;
* All humanitarian missions costs ;
* All local taxes and service charges for meals, accommodations and transportation;
* Laundry.

Not included:
* International airfare to and from Senegal, passport and visa fees, travel insurance;
* Things not mentioned as included and things of personal nature, as beverages and purchases of souvenirs and art objects

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Other

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

H.E.L.P. Travel Association's Mission Statement

H.E.L.P. TRAVEL is a non-profit association whose main goal is to promote meaningful vacations aiming to bring solidarity and aid to West African populations, mainly in Senegal and the proximity. Two types of trips are provided: 1)Responsible Travel and Discovery tours, all around the Tropical Casamance Region of Senegal, and 2)Voluntourism unique itineraries, associating a specific Community Development Project to an adventure trip. Days of visits and excursions are smoothly blended to moments of sharing and understanding, for a deeper sense of integration. We do believe that Inspired Travel means experiencing the place, its people, its cultures, traditions, foods and ways of life. All of our actions and trips aim to create precious links among travelers and local communities, who mutually benefit from the soulful moments spent together. We believe in links among human beings, and the healing power which lies within.

Year Founded

2006