Tribewanted: Vorovoro

Our mission is to build sustainable communities in amazing places that benefit locals and visiting members; inspiring positive change within and far beyond the village.

In October 2010 the first members of the tribe arrived on Sierra Leone’s John Obey Beach, 20 miles south of the capital, Freetown, and began to build a new community alongside the local fishing village. The first season saw the building of cal-earth dome classic and the honeydome, the sea bright solar tower, beach kitchen, first two VIP Shacks on the lagoon, and permaculture gardens.

As importantly we started to build a partnership and friendship with the fishing community of John Obey. 30 full-time earth-builders, carpenters, cooks, farmers, gardeners, managers and guides led the development. They continue with earth-building and community projects in season two starting October 2011.

Tribewanted Sierra Leone has formed a partnership with the government, landowners and the local John Obey community to create the eco village over the coming years to support sustainable development in the area.

For the visiting tribe members it has already been a unique opportunity to experience a peaceful, beautiful and vibrant country building a new beginning a decade after being ravaged by civil war.

‘Best beach in the world?’ Read Tom Volpe’s Tribewanted experience

Tribewanted Sierra Leone is a local non-profit and its partner, Shine On Sierra Leone, has been working in the region successfully for five years, sponsoring 6 schools and computer centres around

the country as well as providing microfinance to over 7000 women across the country.

Tribe members have had the opportunity of joining in with the development of the new village alongside the local team and community. The project has pioneered a new building technique called ‘Superadobe” developed at Cal Earth, a technique that uses only local earth and material.

They have been described locally as “a mini Gaudi village.” So far three earth domes have been constructed – now used as accommodation by visiting tribe members. Along with the domes a village has been built including traditional wood bungalows, a solar tower and deck, permaculture gardens, beach kitchen and dining, compost toilets, bucket shower and hammocks. But there is much still to be done!

All profits generated from Tribewanted Sierra Leone are re-invested into the project and community, in education and microfinance.

Tribe members can book their visit to John Obey online from $450 a week for basic accommodation. Domes cost $550-$650 a week per person or $900-$1000 for couples. This covers stay, all meals and

a contribution to the community development. Members will need to cover flight costs and local transport, from airport by boat, to the beach. They can arrive on anyday of the week.

A maximum of 30 tribe members spend a minimum of 1 week at a time living alongside a local team and the community immersed in the day to day running and development of the village. The project

runs from October to June annually, closing for the rainy season.

Founder of Tribewanted, Ben Keene:

??“After spending 9 months at John Obey I can’t recommend it enough as the ideal way to discover the best of Sierra Leone and new Africa. The beach is spectacular, the wildlife abundant and the community and culture as vibrant, intense and frustrating as you might expect.

At John Obey you can sunbath, build, swim, cook, canoe up river, trek, fish, play beach football, share skills, teach, drum round bonfires, and eat great seafood. You’re living alongside a local

community whilst connecting with a global network of like-minded people.”??

Tribewanted Sierra Leone is your chance to play a part in kick-starting the right kind of tourism in a country that needs it. It has been an amazing adventure so far."

“Ben’s season one blogs from the beach”

Filippo Bozotti, Tribewanted Sierra Leone’s founding partner,

“I’ve been visiting and working in Sierra Leone for five years. It’s not only one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to, it is also one of the most relaxed. The negative perception of the country is very different to the reality. It’s an addictive place – tourists don’t often come to Salone, as the locals call it, but together we are changing that.”

Read Filippo’s departure blog after six months at Tribewanted

Katherine Cacavas: Tribewanted Team 2011-12

I’m an Australian girl who landed on the other side of the world in April 2011 after following my heart to Sierra Leone (I have two gorgeous cousins from there!) I had an incredible, life-changing experience in Sierra Leone and at Tribewanted John Obey beach during this time, and it has succeeded in drawing me back. I am a Dietitian and Nutritionist and I love working with communities and applying my knowledge and skills. A serial traveller since 2002, I have been blessed with opportunities to travel, study and work in many countries and with many different cultures.

“During my last visit to John Obey beach I was involved in running nutrition education sessions with the Tribewanted staff, the Craig Bellamy Foundation and the John Obey Primary School. I braved the local market in Waterloo to learn about available and accessible produce and then worked with the kitchen team to design and implement a varied and healthy menu planner. I hope to continue to develop and encourage healthy lifestyles within the John Obey community and beyond in Sierra Leone. Come and join me for sunrise yoga on the beach!”

Tribewanted Sierra Leone Overview

Six hour flight from London or Brussels approx £650 / $1000 rtn > sierraleonetravel.com

Local transfer $40 each way Airport – Freetown by boat + $25 each way taxi Freetown – John Obey

7 nights / all meals / donation to village development from $450

Project opens October-June annually during the dry season

Partners: Shine on Sierra Leone, Cal Earth, Sea Bright Solar, Visit Sierra Leone, McPhillips Travel

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