One World Together - Construction d'un Eco-Lodge au Bénin

 

We want to build an eco-lodge in northern Benin offering an alternative to development dynamics and respectful tourism.

Biography :

My name is Timothée Froment, I am Belgian and I am 27 years old.
I grew up in several African countries until I was 14 years old. My father worked in National Parks, and my mother at the Delegation of the European Commission. All our holidays were spent in unusual and beautiful places. When we returned to Belgium, I first finished my high school studies, then studied as an educator specialized in socio-sports activities while my parents were in Ethiopia. I started working in a non-profit association that was sailing with young people facing difficulties and very quickly, during my stays with my parents I wanted to return to the continent of my childhood. I obtained a Master in International Education in order to have a degree with an international character to allow me to return, but this Master also opened my eyes on the mechanisms of operation of international institutions and related phenomena to globalization, which has slowed me a little in the desire to work body and soul within this system. After 3 years of search, I could not find my way or a job in accordance with my ideas. I tried to work in wildlife conservation NGOs (in Chad) and development cooperation (in Belgium) to conclude that I had to try the adventure of setting up a personal project and to make my ideals live there.
That's how One World Together started. This project combines Africa and Europe (the two facets of my identity), it carries human values and remains on a human scale, it offers an alternative to dynamic development, and finally it is anchored in the local

Project’s Description:

Introduction

Hello, my name is Timothée, I am 27 years old and I grew up and worked on the African continent. From Gabon, Kenya to Chad and Ethiopia. My personal story makes it that I am very attached to this continent and that I no longer resist the idea of living there and developing a social entrepreneurship project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During my most recent travels, I realised that tourism in Africa could be more than a safari or relaxing on the beaches of Zanzibar. It can be an incredible opportunity to connect people from different cultures with different lifestyles and thus contribute to a more global vision of the world
development issues and challenges.

Description

With the construction of an eco-lodge in northern Benin, we (1) wish to develop a model that can be an alternative to current development dynamics by using entrepreneurship. We believe that building an inclusive, open, locally anchored project by redistributing the benefits of our activities to support the local will allow us to offer more adequate and with no time-bound linked to support funding. This will also allow the population to directly benefit from the tourism revenues. To do this, the eco-lodge will be located in the north of Benin in the chain of the Atacora mountains on the border with Togo, for several reasons.

Beauty: The landscapes are hillier making them more majestic. It also makes it easier to organize hikes on foot or with motorbikes.

 

Authenticity: This is the Otammari people’s living place of life well-known for their multi-storey
houses that look like small castles.

 

Convenient: One hour drive from a big city (Natitingou) and not too far from the entrance to Pendjari Park. The camp will be established on a cliff and will consist of 4 tents for rent with private bathroom and access to electricity.

 

 

There will also be space for travelers on a smaller budget to set up their tent with shared showers and toilets. The tents will be placed in such a way that they overlook the immensity of the landscapes and the surrounding tranquility.

 

(1)When for the description I use the first person of the plural, I also include the people involved in the project in its long-term vision. Indeed, the construction of the eco-lodge and the economic model that will govern it is the first step that we hope will allow us to replicate the model by adapting it to other countries and propose a label of a journey label that is more ecological AND fairer.

Project Progress:

In March, April and May of this year, I went on a prospecting trip to learn about the realities on the field, which allowed me to meet potential partners, establish a small network of contacts and decide on a strategic location.
When I returned to Belgium, I was followed by a business incubator, Village Partenaire, which
allowed me to draw up an investment plan and finalize a realistic business plan reflecting the ideas set out above.
This project is a project for 70,000 €, of which we have already secured 50,000 €. The amount of this crowdfunding has been set at 7,500 € to represent about 10% of the total need, with always the possibility that this crowdfunding works better than expected! For the remaining amount, we will respond to calls for projects! And finally, launch the activity itself!
For any additional information do not hesitate to send me an email: f.timothee@one-world-
together.com

In Return:

[To select please clic the chosen item in the side menu].
1. 15 € : Massive thanks and you get a personalized email and updates all along the project
2. 30 € : + We write your name on our "Thank You Page" on our Website (If you agree/want) + an OWT Post Card (delivery in Belgium only)
3. 50 € + an A4 Poster with the picture of the Lions and the picture of the cliff where the lodge is
supposed to be settling.
4. 75€
4.1. + a night in our Camping site in Benin (breakfast and welcome drink included)

4.2. Or + a Benin tail book in French (Only10 available)

5. 100 €
5.1. Swap the night at the camp site for a night for one of Lodge's tent for two(Welcome drink and Breakfast included)

5.2. I cook an African meal for you at my place (10 available)

6. 250 € : + a Benin guide book (electronic version) + A week-end in one of the lodge's
tents for two (Welcome Drink and breakfast included) + a hiking activity (foot or motorbike)

7. 500 € : + Instead of 2 people make it 4 and get a free Cultural Workshop
8. 700 € : + All the meals included + You get to choose the name of one of the 4 tents
9. 2000€ : + Flight Ticket to Benin (from Brussels)

Fundraising

Level 1
By raising 7,500 €, we will be able to buy the equipment and the solar installation which will make it possible to work the fridges and the freezer, to provide a minimum of electricity in the tents, the lighting of the restaurant and the kitchen and the pump for drilling.
In details (material purchased on site):
Level 2
By raising 10,000 €, we will be able to buy 12V fridges manufactured to work on electricity supplied by the sun.
The price varies between 800 and 2,000 € depending on the quality and the brand.
Level 3
More than € 10,000: each additional euro would reduce the amount of the borrowed money. This will allow us to start faster with the redistribution of the profits related to the activity!

Aknowlegment

Thank you to all the contributors, and to all the people who, in one way or another, have advanced the thinking, the project and the financing. Without you it would be more difficult to build this project.

Looking forward to meeting you, here or in Benin,

Sincerely,
Timothée