My name is Béné, and my journey has been a tapestry woven from bustling Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, to the serene landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. From a rural Nebraska town to the bustling streets of London, I've seen the spectrum of human experience. I've sipped tea in Parisian cafes and boiled water for a hot shower in remote villages. This global perspective ignited a passion for development work.
However, years spent in the non-profit sector revealed a gap - a disconnect between the incredible development workers, funders, and the communities they serve. The current model often feels one-sided, focused on deliverables over genuine connections.
I believe in a different approach. True service thrives in those moments of shared humanity, where we truly connect, understand, and move to empathetic action.
Our good intentions can backfire. We focus on the mission at the expense of the people we serve. This "us vs. them" mentality fosters an atmosphere of infantilization, where recipients are passive bystanders rather than active participants. We build walls instead of bridges.
Imagine a world where empathy fuels action. Where development isn't just about delivering resources, but about forging genuine connections. This is where Empathy Travels comes in.
We are here to shift mindsets, to move beyond the transactional to create a space for authentic relationships.
Empathy is the cornerstone of my approach. By truly understanding the needs and aspirations of those we serve, we can work together to build lasting solutions.
Imagine communities empowered to take ownership of their future. Imagine individuals treated with dignity and respect. Imagine a world where development fosters collaboration and sustainability, not just dependency. This is the future we are working towards.
Be the first to hear about our off-the-beaten-path travel!