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What does this mean?
We aim to develop our accommodation in the best ecologically sound manner, in which the construction of the villas should have no adverse effects on the natural and socio-economic environment. All is done to harmonize building activities with the local environment, of course benefiting of the available local skills of craftsmen and labourers.

Regarding the natural aspects the location of the villas and their relationship with their immediate natural environment is closely considered. Most care is taken not to disturb the natural environment in any way. In this respect the water balance must not be affected, energy consumption and supply is considered, pollution of the environment must be avoided, protection of the natural vegetation maintained (i.e. illegal cutting of trees and planting/import of exotic species should be impeded), and disturbing the local fauna (mammals, birds and aquatic species) avoided.

With respect to the social/humanitarian aspects construction of the accommodation should not affect the local economy. On the contrary, constructing new accommodation should improve local livelihoods. It must provide an alternative for possible local or regional unemployment; wrong practices (e.g. socially driven disturbance and affecting of the natural environment through illegal logging, poaching, etc.); possible gender inequity (such as unemployment of women); emancipation of women; increasing local entrepreneurship through better opportunities (e.g. by means of providing micro-credits); improving prosperity, welfare and health. A clear advantage of commercial building activities should be increasing confidence and self-respect of the local people.

Initiating and supporting local projects
Currently several social projects have been initiated, e.g. by initiator Mr. Johan Aerts, owner/manager of Societé Les Bolongs du Sine-Saloum - S.A.R.L.
Mr Aerts already has started several-mainly humanitarian based- projects, some of which have been completed. For accompanying images, click here.

1. Vegetable garden in the village of Aliou Gueye
The first project has been the construction of a one-hectare vegetable garden, supplied with two waterholes, 12 basins and a complete fencing. The initial idea was to have the entire village participate and exploit the garden; however, it appeared to be only the women to be interested. They created small individual plots from which they sell their products and/or keep it for own use. In this way they currently generate a reasonable form of income previously not there. First customer is the holiday resort Les Paletuviers. Ongoing financial support also takes care of the purchase of good production material, seeds, pumps, etc. In time this should guarantee a self-supporting system, thus creating an independent additional source of income for this village.

2. Developing a market-oriented fruit estate (6 ha)
One of the most enterprising farmers in the region is supported in developing a fruit estate producing for the commercial market, while at the same time generating sufficient local employment. Current sale is still to the local market, but in time export to Dakar and other larger cities seems feasible. The project is regarded as a pilot project and is meant to serve as an example to other individual farmers willing to take similar initiatives, or those (e.g. other foreigners) who feel attracted to set-up a similar supportive project.

Developing this pilot occurs on an equal basis, in which the farmer remains owner of the land and we as foreign investor (in our case a group of 10 likeminded friends) have financed the entire infrastructure, e.g. 4 wells, 4 basins and the entire fencing. Currently some 1500 fruit trees have been planted, including orange, mandarin, lemon, mango and papaya. Remaining true to our vision of sustainability and efficiency, under these trees a variety of vegetables is grown, such as tomato, cucumber, beans, aubergine, lettuce, melon and chillipeper. Such practice of “inter-cropping” should reduce overall cost and increase productivity of the land. Other purchase includes seeds and manure for daily new cultivation, as more than one harvest a year is feasible. Additionally, the farmer is provided a loan against a little interest rate to enable purchase of specific equipment, such as a cart, a container and a plough.

At present the farm employs 10 labourers whose wages are paid by us for a period of 3 years. It is expected that after this period the plantation is able to operate independently. If the results turn out favourable, both area and the number of labourers will be doubled.

3. Construction of classrooms and a maternity
Aliou Gueye also is the village in a figurative manner w have “adopted”. Objective is to provide all children access to adequate schooling. From a single and small classroom with a thatched roof, we have been able to erect a full-blown building, to which the Senegalese government has contributed a separate classroom. Furthermore, a complete inventory has been provided, ranging from benches, chairs, writing-desks, exercise books and learning material. In particular the latter items have been in great demand as these were not available due to the too high annually returning costs for the parents. Hence, we have been happy to oblige by providing such essential educational material to the children.

Initially only 30 children attended class, currently the number has increased to 153! This means all children from the village now attend class and because of this we proudly may conclude our efforts in this area bear fruit.

In Toubacouta and with the assistance of an international NGO a maternity for awaiting mothers has been constructed where the women of the village can deliver their children safe, secure and in a hygienic manner.