Voluntourism and Community Travel Adventures

Organization

H.E.L.P. TRAVEL is a no-profit association whose main goal is to create multiple journey-missions aiming to bring solidarity and aid to West African populations, mainly in Senegal and the proximity.

We conceive a journey as the desire to discover the elsewhere and live it from the inside, as the instinct to travel towards an unknown country and to reveal its roots...

We propose more than an adventure tour; we invite you to enjoy itineraries created for you to live a unique experience, to bring you where the others haven’t arrived yet.

We have prepared an exclusive cocktail blending sightseeing, discovery and awareness, adding then the main element of a perfect journey: the human contact.


H.E.L.P. Travel will take you to live moments of joy and deep inspiration with groups of kids, families and artists thanks to the opportunity of participating in our Community Development Projects.

Our proposals are exclusively conceived to be accessible to everybody: they are but the pretext to live an amazing and meaningful holiday, for a unique and authentic cultural integration.

An effective policy of responsible tourism permeates each and every action of ours: all of these projects allow a true aid to the population and to the Region’ development, according to our travel philosophy and beliefs…

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…

Activities

By introducing an exclusive selection of tours and excursions in the Casamance region of Senegal, West Africa , the H.E.L.P. Travel Missions aim to create deep human relationships among visitors and local inhabitants ;
The H.E.L.P. TRAVEL concept is to combine a holiday trip with a humanitarian action, and to make the combination of the two accessible to everybody.
There’s no real enlightenment from an offhanded and cold donation; H.E.L.P. travellers will really learn to get to know the people they are helping and exchange with them much more than material items, as the real gift is the time shared together, and the mutual interest and enrichment derived from this communion.
The Casamance region is located in the South of Senegal ; this beautiful tropical forest area harbours countless amazing landscapes and resorts ; untamed islands, remote villages and deserted beaches are the treasures of this part of West Africa : the populations inhabiting this region still keep their ancestral beliefs and cultures alive , giving an additional magical aura to days and nights spent in these lands ;
Ziguinchor is the region' main city , centre of activities and commerce ; situated on the boards of the Casamance River, is accessible by air, water and road and it represent the cross cultural spot for the whole area ;

Members and Requirements

We have studied and created a platform of basic and simple missions, on a week/two weeks stay basis ; the sojourn with us is organized with days full of excursions, visits and adventures ; the main and unique goal of these missions is the development of human relationships, source of Self-Enhancement .
There is no need of particular or specific skills to fully participate in these actions of ours : the real meaning is the chance given of feeling the Magic that lays inside a simple gesture …
The mission is organized in a way that will be finished and accomplished when the Donor is here with us ; he will directly participate to the completing of the action ;
He will get to know all of the people he helped, in an atmosphere of joy and happiness ;
He will have the chance to really feel the beauty that lingers in this side of the world, as his Goodwill will open all doors ;

Usual solidarity tours take people in areas where a project is already in stand ; with H.E.L.P. Travel actions, the humanitarian mission is unique, as it wouldn’t take place without the participant’ donation ;

These projects are conceived in a way that all of the resources are redistributed among local populations : families, workers and artists, they all happily participate to our missions !!

Costs & Considerations

Our travel suggestions give you the chance to choose among an exclusive list of Ethno and Volontourism Tours.

Adventure and Discovery unique itineraries are available all year long, specially conceived to offer several levels of intervention and participation to our Community Projects.

The funding of your Project of Journey will be settled by a donation. The sum varies according to the length of the stay and the importance of the mission.

•The totality of your donation will be invested as follow:

• 20% financing of your project
• 60% project planning, full board, itinerary and logistic fares
• 20% participation to the Association’s costs.

The donation includes: full room and board, total financing of your humanitarian mission, plus all trips, excursions and journeys scheduled in the H.E.L.P. TRAVEL project.

Not included: round trip international flight to Senegal; all personal expenses and purchases, as art objects, souvenirs and beverages.

Restrictions

Our projects are open to everybody !!

Other Information

Our beautiful Guesthouse is 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 extra comfortable imported mattresses and several touches of African Art;
The atmosphere is warm and friendly , deep in tune with the happiness inhabiting the Casamance region..

Discounts Offered

Large groups ( from 6 to 8 people ) : a 10% discount is offered ;