West Africa
Taking the Roads Less Traveled in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana
September 22 - September 28, 2019
7 Days/6 Nights; Trip cost $3,700pp
From the bustling and vibrant streets of the coastal capital Abidjan, to the lush green forests of the countryside, you will see Cote d'Ivoire as few have. Your next stop is Ghana, where in Accra the colonial-era forts and trading posts serve as a reminder of the by-gone slave trade. This capital city has emerged from its tragic past as a vibrant cultural center that welcomes travelers from around the world.
During our journey, we will visit with the women and families who are changing their lives as members of CARE’s Village Savings & Loan Associations (VSLAs). You will sit with these women and hear their stories, stories that will inspire as you realize the scope of this work that is empowering millions of women throughout West Africa to become income secure.
Day One- Sunday, September 22
Upon landing in Abidjan, you will be greeted by a CARE or hotel representative at the airport to assist with a smooth transition to the hotel. In the afternoon, we will spend the day exploring Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire’s vibrant and bustling capital. Close out your first day in West Africa sharing a Welcome Dinner with the CARE Cote d’Ivoire staff, the experts who are implementing CARE’s life-changing work throughout the country.
Day Two- Monday, September 23
Our day starts with a trip to the CARE Cote d’Ivoire offices for an insider’s look into CARE Cote d’Ivoire’s programming. We then head into the streets of Abidjan starting with a visit to a women’s VSLA group in one of the city’s most populated and diverse neighborhoods, Traechville. This VSLA group includes women of the Christian and Muslim religions, made clear as the meeting opens with prayers from women of both faiths. It is a humbling lesson in how lives can be changed for the better when we accept, respect and celebrate diversity. We will then take a short walk through the streets of Traechville visiting one of the women at her small shop she was able to open with her savings accrued through her VSLA membership. Following this visit, we will spend some time at the famous Traechville market where you can lose yourself in all things Ivorian. The market is a meandering and beautiful display of local artistry and a perfect place to pick up gifts for friends and family.
Day Three- Tuesday, September 24
Having had a taste of urban life, it’s time to head into the lush forests north of the capital. We will make our way to the remote village of Brahimakro, where we will spend the day with local farmers exploring some of Cote d’Ivoire’s many cocoa farms. Well known as a cocoa mecca, CARE’s work with cocoa producers adheres to five pillars: Productivity, Community, Livelihoods, Youth and Environment. CARE also focuses on addressing some of the worst forms of child labor that have traditionally been associated with the cocoa industry in West Africa. Our generous hosts will guide you through the cocoa production process from bean to chocolate bar, allowing you to take a few beans home as a reminder of this unique visit. As the day winds down, we will leave the forests behind to join the Cote d’Ivoire team for a Closing Dinner.
Day Four- Wednesday, September 25
It’s time to add a new passport stamp to your collection! By evening you will be enjoying dinner with the CARE Ghana team but not before enjoying a fascinating morning exploring the beachfront town of Grand Bassam. Known for its colonial architecture and history as a former capital and key seaport of Cote d’Ivoire, the town was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2012.
Day Five- Thursday, September 26
In the morning, we will travel to the CARE Ghana offices for a discussion on CARE Ghana’s programming and implementation process. This discussion will lay the groundwork for our days in the field where you will see and experience first-hand how CARE is delivering lasting change. One of CARE’s most powerful programs underway is the process of linking VLSA members to formal banking institutions. Transitioning from keeping savings in a box to a bank provides increased security for the members and provides additional freedom of funds management as they maintain control over their own money. Sitting with a VSLA group, we will learn how the savings groups are about so much more than financial empowerment. The groups are a social circle where women find community and use the meetings a as platform to learn about gender equity in all walks of life including education, gender based violence, maternal health and so much more.
Day Six- Friday, September 27
Heading into the field, we will spend a day at a fisheries project. This unique business, set up with the support of CARE’s Village Savings & Loan Associations model, results from trainings in small business development, savings, market linkages and conservation. The fisheries have a multiplying effect in terms of not only creating employment opportunities and financial stability but provide families with the safety nets and resources to cover medical expenses and send their children to school. After what is sure to be an inspiring day, we will close out our journey with a Closing Dinner to share stories and highlights as we think about what lies ahead for CARE and the women we reach.
Day Seven- Saturday, September 28 (Optional)
For those feeling the pull of coastal Ghana, join us for a day visiting Elmina Castle, one of the many forts that are a part of Ghana’s colonial past. We will spend the day visiting this centuries old relic and exploring Ghana’s southern shore before evening departures to the US begin.
