About Farafina Travels
Farafina Travels (FT) enables you to gain insights into different African countries beyond the common narrative.
Born out of the Farafina Institute (https://farafina-institute.org/), FT introduces you to the people, cultures, histories, politics, environment, and current debates and developments of your travel destination from a local perspective and with an academically informed approach. Our local guides and moderators show you the hidden beauties of their countries away from the main tourist tracks, enable engagements with local communities, and facilitate insightful exchanges about innovative and functioning approaches and practices in the social, economic (and other) fields in the hosting African countries.
Concept of Farafina Travels
There is growing interest in Africa’s transformation from all around the world, following clear efforts of Africans on the continent and in the Diaspora to lead the way towards improved well-being in Africa. It is encouraging to see that other citizens of the world are interested in experiencing, deepening their knowledge, learning from, and making meaningful contributions in a variety of ways. However, many people in and outside of Africa do not have the opportunity to experience and gain first-hand insights into the societies, the well-being status and the transformation processes ongoing in different African countries.
In accordance with the goal of Farafina Institute (FI) to promote the well-being of the African continent through research, the exchange of ideas, good practices, and intercultural understanding, we have initiated Farafina Travels (FT) to offer opportunities to interested individuals and groups from within and outside of Africa the opportunity to visit different African countries in order to learn, share experiences, and exchange good ideas and practices with their people. It is our conviction that direct contact with the African continent and its people enhances appreciation for the rich diversity of African societies and enables reflection and reconsideration of prominent (mis)perceptions about African societies.
FT makes visible the potential in countries that are targets of ‚development‘ policies – moving away from the limiting view of Africans as ‘in need’, but rather towards a view of Africa as a source of innovation and potential.
Our work builds on FI’s long-standing experience and partnerships in organising thematic group travels to various African and European countries. These travels have been documented and evaluated.[links to reports] Partnerships with the organisations and stakeholders in the countries we cover have been established through FI’s various projects.
A part of the fees for Farafina Travels will be used to support Farafina Institute’s projects.
Mission and Values
In times of crisis, we unfortunately witness societies, countries, and continents breaking into opposing parts; parts artificially separated and alienated by the interests of power and against the natural oneness of human beings.
We understand our role in building bridges to reconnect people and raise awareness and understanding of the achievements and potential of Africa and its people. Footsteps and Handshakes travels take steps and reach out hands to build bridges made of mutual understanding and peace.
FT is value-driven travel. The values we believe in and incorporate into FT are:
Belief in the achievements and potentials of Africa and African people
The term “Farafina” means ‘the land of the dark-skinned people who refuse to be dominated’ in the Bambara language of West Africa and signifies our unwavering belief in the achievements and potential of Africa and African people worldwide. FT’s aim is to contribute to the transformation of the continent for the wellbeing of all, by capitalising on the potential, building up and spreading the word on the achievements of African people.
Respect for all human beings and their cultures
We respect all human beings and their cultures equally and expect the same from those who join our tours. Human encounters are a core part of FT as a cornerstone for reflection, broadening ones mind, and learning about the respective country and its people. We approach local cultures not as a nostalgic element, but rather as a fundamental part of peoples‘ histories, contemporary societies, and deeply rooted ontologies.
Community-orientation
We collaborate closely with local communities and design our tours in a way to support and experience local structures, projects and initiatives. This includes our choice of accommodation, means of travel and food, as well as the fact that our tours are planned and organised by local experts and guided by local guides.
Sustainability
At the same time, we recognise our responsibility to the environment. We organise our tours as environmentally friendly as possible, ensuring respect for nature throughout our tours, and encouraging all participants to behave in an environmentally responsible manner. Moreover, climate change and the management of natural resources are significant topics that we address in of our reflection sessions.
Farafina Institute
Founded in 2012 as a think tank and research institute by a group of African and European scholars, the Farafina Institute (FI) conducts policy-relevant research and implements sustainable projects on issues of well-being and governance in Africa and Europe.
FI positions itself as an international platform for reflection, dialogue, exchange, and action on Africa. FI uses African-centred and participatory methods aimed at creating empowerment, ownership, and sustainability. FI holds the conviction that working directly with communities is essential to building partnerships for sustainable and peaceful societies.
The Institute draws on the expertise of a network of Africa-focused academic and civil society institutions in Europe and Africa. FI conducts research and, based on its findings, initiates processes that enable and empower people to take action to work towards their identified goals and that contribute to the well-being of Africans in Africa and in the Diaspora.
For more information on FI, read here https://farafina-institute.org/
Introducing Uncommon.org
Empowering the Youth for a Tech-Savvy Future with Farafina Travels
At Farafina Travels, we are proud to collaborate with Uncommon.org, a visionary organisation committed to empowering positive change and creating opportunities for the youth across Africa. When Uncommon.org launched their pilot in Zimbabwe in late 2017, their goal was to teach children how to code, and the results confirmed the overwhelming thirst for technology education and the lack of opportunities for youth in the target communities.
Through successful fundraising and a commitment to making a lasting impact, Uncommon.org shifted its model to focus on training young adults for the tech workforce, aiming to build a generation of purpose-driven, tech-savvy, and entrepreneurial individuals. This shared vision aligns perfectly with Farafina Travels’ commitment to providing transformative and locally-based experiences that go beyond the common narrative of African travel.
For more information, please visit uncommon.org