Tribewanted Sierra Leone Brings Ecotourism to a Once War-Ravaged Country

TakePart   
August 10th, 2010

By Jenny Inglee

After a brutal 11-year civil war ravaged Sierra Leone, a stigma of corruption, blood diamonds and child soldiers lingered.

Communities were forced to start over, employment for youth was nonexistent, and poverty was rampant.

Today, change is on the horizon.

“Tourism,” Daniel Macauley of Sierra Leone says, “can be the biggest opportunity for Sierra Leone.”

Two young entrepreneurs agree.

In October, together with the coastal village of John Obey, Filippo Bozotti and Ben Keene are launching Tribewanted Sierra Leone, an ecotourism community on one of the most breathtaking and untouched beaches in Africa.

“On one side you have the ocean, on the other, you have this fresh water lagoon with a river coming down, lush jungle hills and this very authentic fishing community,” Bozotti says of John Obey.

Bozotti and Keene are not strangers to Sierra Leone. Both have spent time in the country on other projects.

Keene, founder of Tribewanted, initially visited to run a soccer academy. Bozotti, a documentary filmmaker, partnered with Shine on Sierra Leone to build schools and establish microfinance opportunities for women in the country.

The two wanted to do more, and as Bozotti says of Sierra Leone, “There’s something in the air that brings you back.”

When they came upon John Obey, they found the villagers were very welcoming and excited to partner.

Tribewanted Sierra Leone won’t be a typical vacation experience. Tourists are called tribe members and are essentially part of the community.

Of course, swimming in the turquoise water and taking an excursion into the jungle is a must. However, Bozotti says, “Tribe members will be able to come and teach at a school for a day or work in microfinance for a day.”

The community will also be sustainable.

Story continues at TakePart

Photo: Filippo Bozotti

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2 Responses to “Tribewanted Sierra Leone Brings Ecotourism to a Once War-Ravaged Country”

• Wendy says:

  August 10, 2010 at 10:21 pm

  Why is only one person in this boat paddling?

  Reply
• Ben keene says:

  August 11, 2010 at 2:18 am

  There was only one paddle! But I certainly attempted to do my share without capsizing the boat…

  Reply