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| 1. POLITICAL CRITERIA: Rating: 4 out of 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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1a. Who is/are the legal owner(s) of the Lodge? (please state official name if owned by a company) Musa Fatty (known to everyone as Moses) a Gambian citizen
1b. Who is/are the legal manager(s) of the Lodge? Musa Fatty and Heather Roberts.
1c. Since when has the facility been under the current ownership & management? We have owned and managed the lodges jointly since opening in 2009.
1d. If owned by a family, since when has the family been residing in the area, and for how many months each year? We have lived in The Gambia together since 2007, married in 2008, and since opening, stay for 8 months of every year (the season for guests) Our home adjoins the business land.
1e. How are decisions taken and by whom? (Please provide details) We take all management decisions jointly. We hold a staff meeting at the start of every season and also encourage consultation with staff concerning catering and grounds.
1f. Who has access to the Lodge's facilities and its land and for what uses? Guests and their friends, staff and their families are all welcome. We have an end of season pool party each year for staff, their children, and extended families. Our new tree sanctuary will also be open to the public once completed.
1g. Who took the initiative to build this Lodge? We decided jointly, as we wanted to do something positive for the local area, become more involved with our community and protect the adjoining land from tree cutting. As the sole employers in the hamlet of Farakunku we have enjoyed full integration with local people.
1h. Which is the nearest local community (village or town) and how far is it from the lodge (in Km)? We are in the midst of Farakunku hamlet and 1km from the bigger village of Tujereng.
1i. Did the (nearest) local community participate in the decision-making process concerning the founding and creation of this Lodge and how? We were some of the first to buy land in Farakunku and move to this previously undeveloped bush area. The village alkalo (mayor) supervised the land purchase and when we opened we held a religious blessing with all the local elders and officials from Tujereng.
1j. Does the (nearest) local community participate in the running of the lodge and how? The nearest local dwellers became part of the building team and we later employed our chefs, night security, gardeners, laundry lady and cleaner from within walking distance of the lodges. The local Women’s market garden supplies our vegetables. The local basket weaver comes every season to repair/replace palm leaf furniture.
1k. Anything else you would like to mention in this section? As an ex- primary school teacher, I have been asked to help next season at the local Women’s Skill Centre (Fandema) in Batokunku (a neighbouring hamlet) I will read stories and act as consultant in setting up early years classrooms as their centre develops. I have already helped at art days at another local school in the past.
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| 2. ECONOMIC CRITERIA - Rating: 4 out of 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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2a. Number of rooms: 4 (four) individual detached lodges, en-suite.
2b. Number of beds: 4 (four) Super king size 4-posters draped in mosquito netting
2c. What is the total area of the land of the property? 5,000 square metres (this includes the separate tree sanctuary)
2d. What is the total area of the Lodge including rooms and common areas (in sq. metres)? 4,720 square metres (this is as in 2c, less our own home which takes up a footprint of 200 square metres within the grounds, and 80 square metres for stores and staff quarters) Everywhere else is used and accessed freely by guests.
2e. What is the total building footprint (in sq. metres) – i.e. part of the land covered by buildings 780 square metres, as follows: 500 square metres : lodges, restaurant and bantabas (thatched shelters)
2f. How many employees are there (excluding yourself and members of the family)? total: 8 (eight) of which: full-time: 4 (2 grounds-men, night security and chef) immigrants: 0
2g. How many employees are from the (nearest) local village? All of them (8).
2h. If applicable, do employees or the community own any shares or share part of the revenue? No.
2i. What was the total turnover (total sales) in 2011 and in 2012? (please state in your local currency) 2011: D 1,063,440 - 2012: D 1,755,888
2j. What were the total profits in 2011 and in 2012? 2011: Loss of D 67,596 - 2012: Profit of D 385,248
2k. How are profits distributed, and who decides about it? We have used up all the 2012 profit by replacing solar water heaters and upgrading to sealed solar batteries. With the remainder, we purchased an adjoining parcel of land which we are now developing as a tree and bird sanctuary. This is an on-going project with rare indigenous trees being collected and planted as a buffer zone between us and a nearby projected building estate where many trees are due to be cut.
2l. Are there any national and local taxes to be paid or are you exempt? We pay an annual business tax (based on having 4 lodges), an annual tourist tax, and annual local tax on the land and property.
2m. What was the total amount of taxes paid in 2011 and in 2012? 2011: D 25,000 - 2012: 25,160
2n. What percentage of consumables are locally sourced, how many are nationally sourced, and how many are imported? 100% locally sourced fruit and vegetables, 90% nationally sourced consumables. The only imported goods are wine and coffee. We buy locally produced honey and I make all the jams and chutneys myself.
2o. Do you cultivate food for the guests? We have our own lemon, banana and mango trees and grow some herbs. My chef who lives next door grows salad for us.
2p. Do you have any agreements with local producers? We provide seeds for the Tujereng Women’s cooperative and buy our fresh vegetables from them when in season. We purchase everything else from the local market where I personally shop every 2 days. Local villagers often come to the door selling their surplus fruit and vegetables which we always like to purchase.
2q. Have ever you received any funding, state, national, private or international and for what purposes? No, we are a small, and relatively new concern doing what we can ourselves with our own funds.
2r. What is the minimum (low season) double room rate (including breakfast) per room per night? £42 on bed and breakfast basis for 2 people.
2s. What is the maximum (high season) double room rate (including breakfast) per room per night? £52 on bed and breakfast basis for 2 people.
2t. Are you planning to sell the property within the foreseeable future, and if so why? No we have no plans to sell in the foreseeable future. We have made this our home.
2u. Is the Property open all year round? If not please provide relevant dates. We close during the rainy season from early June to the end of October, as access on our track, plus the humidity, heavy rain storms, lack of sun for our solar equipment and lack of charter flights to bring guests, all conspire to make it impossible to carry out our business in the way we would wish.
2v. Anything else you would like to mention in this section? Our grounds staff remain on site during the rainy season to maintain the property and deal with any emergencies. We are in contact with them weekly from UK. In 2012 they had to tell us of a wall collapsing on top of and destroying our new solar water heater during a violent wind and rain storm. We organised the replacement and everything was ready for the new season in time.
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| 3. ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA - Rating: 5 out of 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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3a. Lodge Siting (how was the lodge location chosen): We were already married and living in Farakunku and were alarmed at the number of trees being cut for firewood in the area. We had chosen to live in Gambia back in 2006 to enjoy the natural vegetation and quiet life in a small hamlet. It was surrounded by natural bush at that time. We therefore decided to purchase the land adjoining us to save and add trees and to create a small eco business.
3b. Policy followed during construction: We selected a resident British expat civil engineer/building contractor to design and project-manage the building of the lodges and restaurant using 100% Gambian building team, masons, carpenters, plumbers, tillers etc. We were able to contribute to the decision making (living just next door) Solar technicians were brought in at an early stage. We built between existing indigenous trees to keep a natural environment.
3c. Policy followed during renovation and/or maintenance: Outside decoration every 2 years; inside decoration every 3 years; solar equipment checked every 2 months; grounds cared for every day; small plunge pool serviced every season, aerated by solar pump daily, treated once a week with minimal chemical (20g) Bantabas (sun-shelters) are re-thatched by local villagers using grasses cut from the bush every 2 years.
3d. Lighting: 100% solar powered with battery and inverter system. Good lighting in every lodge with low energy bulbs and solar lights to illuminate paths at night. Restaurant lit with low energy spotlight bulbs (and candlelit at night!)
3e. Heating: No need for this in Gambia. Solar water heaters are situated in the grounds and provide excellent ample and reliable hot water for guests’ showers and for washing up in the restaurant.
3f. Cooling: Lodges designed as octagons with louvre windows on each wall to create perfect cross ventilation. Additional ceiling fans operate from our fully integrated solar power system. Every lodge has trees providing natural shade.
3g. Cleaning: Rooms are cleaned daily using water with added eco-friendly liquid detergent. Linen and towels are washed by our neighbouring laundry lady, using locally made soap.
3h. Water Management: We have our own deep well and water is pumped by submersible solar pump to 2 storage tanks on the water tower. This water is safe for drinking. It is used for all purposes (washing, pool, garden watering, toilet flushing etc.) Waste water drains into our on-site soak-away.
3i. Cooking: We use a mixture of bottled gas in the main kitchen (containers recycled each time) and re-cycled ground-nut husk briquettes as fuel for barbeque grills, and a solar cooker.
3j. Waste management (in detail please): All compostable waste is emptied into our own garden compost pit and later re-used on the garden; plastic and glass bottles are redistributed to local families who use them for storage; there is no organised recycling in the area so we have to crush and bury the remainder in our own dedicated covered pit in the far corner of our own large grounds.
3k. Insect, pest control: There is no real mosquito problem here as we benefit from moving sea breezes which reach us from the coast. Nevertheless we have mosquito netting on every bed and windows are also netted for the reassurance of our guests. Termites have to be eliminated with chemical when necessary.
3l. Energy Sources, Use & Saving Measures: We try to use local transport for deliveries where possible e.g. donkey or oxen cart to bring heavy goods, and/or local bush taxis. Apart from the bottled gas for cooking, everything (including fridge and freezer) is solar powered from our integrated system of 23 solar panels, solar battery units and inverters.
3m. Noise Protection: We produce silent solar energy and don’t even have a back- up generator. Guests come to us for the peaceful surroundings. Trees add to the sound proofing from any outside noise although there is very little, as locals do not own vehicles and we have only earth tracks passing our grounds.
3n. Name, population and distance of nearest settlement (in km or miles)? Farakunku population 260 0km
3o. Is the Lodge accessible by public transport (such as bus, train, boat)? If yes, please provide instructions from nearest settlement: Yes, the public bush taxi stops at the main coast road junction with our track and then it’s a 10-15 walk (3 minute bike ride) to reach the lodges. Local hire taxis will deliver guests to the door however.
3p. Is the nearest settlement accessible by public transport (such as bus, train, boat)? If yes, please provide instructions from nearest International airport, or nearest major city. Yes, Tujereng is accessible by bush taxi from Tanje our nearest large village (which is 6km north) Local hire taxis take passengers from the airport to Tujereng or direct to our lodge.
3q. Distance from nearby village / city: Villages: Tujereng:1km, Tanje:6km, Sanyang:5km,
3r. Architectural Features: Low level and unobtrusive design compatible with local style but using modern materials. Octagonal buildings to maximise number of ventilation windows (1on each facet) therefore very light and airy. High ceilings to duct away heat. Look-alike corrugated material for roofing (to match the local style)
3s. Construction Materials: Louvre glass window panels for maximum natural ventilation, Malaina wood from sustainable forest, metal roof joists from local welder, ‘Onduline’ roofing made from recycled materials which deflects heat and aids soundproofing, cement blocks (hand made in situ), rafters and frames in redwood (anti termite).
3t. Landscape Management:
3u: Do you organise or promote tours involving hunting or sport-fishing?
3v: Do you measure consumption per guest at your lodge? If yes, please explain how, and provide data
3w. Anything else you would like to mention in this section? |
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| 4. SOCIAL CRITERIA - Rating: 4 out of 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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4a. Do you provide health insurance and pension to your employees? Yes. We also have business insurance in case of accidents/injury at work.
4b. Are your employees entitled to paid leave? If so, how many days each year? Two weeks per year for the full time staff.
4c. Are your employees entitled to maternity leave? How many months? Is it paid? Yes, we would give 3 months leave (if during our working season) on full salary (we currently have only 1 employee for whom this might apply in future)
4d. Do you pay your employees above the minimum wage? (Please state minimum wage, and explain) There is no minimum wage in The Gambia but we pay above the wage that many workers in the tourist sector receive in the big hotels, as well as providing 3 of them with accommodation and all of them with daily meals.
4e. What is the total you paid for wages last year? (excluding wages paid to yourself and members of your family) D 159,000
4f. What is the average wage (per annum), the highest wage, and the lowest wage? Highest per annum: D 30,000, Lowest: D 24,000 Average: D 27,000
4g. Average and maximum working day, and work hours per week: Max working day: 9 hours - Average working day: 7 hours - Average working week: 49 hours
4h. Do you employ your staff all year round? (If not, please explain arrangement) Our season lasts for 7 months between Early November and early May.4 staff members are employed all year on full pay to maintain the lodges and grounds. 2 chefs return to their peanut and cassava farming for the 5 months we are closed in the rainy season and receive a half pay salary as a retainer. Our driver has his own taxi business and the laundry lady takes in local washing while we are away.
4i. Do you employ immigrants? Are they offered the same remuneration & benefits? No we don’t employ immigrants.
4j. Do you employ trainees? Please explain what type of tasks they perform, how much they are paid, how many hours do they work and how do you source them? All our staff (other than one chef,) have been trained ‘on the job’ and they have been with us since opening. They take a pride in their work and even wear their uniform when off duty in the village!
4k. Do you use volunteers? Please explain what tasks they are given? No we don’t have volunteers.
4l. Do you offer concessions to elderly visitors, students, young visitors, or nationals? We reduce our price for nationals outside the busy months (from mid March to end May)
4m. Is there infrastructure for people with special needs at your Lodge? No, not as such, although we have only 2 low steps to negotiate anywhere on the property, have full time staff for assistance with walking and spacious lodges are all on one level with wide doorways. We welcome back several elderly guests with walking difficulties who return each year.
4n. What measures are in place to protect the local (or the indigenous) population from some adverse impacts of tourism? In our rural area the local population don’t experience anything other than a positive impact from our guests, who are advised not to give out sweets or money to children in order to discourage begging, but instead, to donate pens etc to the local school. Guests are asked to respect the local dress code by wearing modest cover up. All our neighbouring families understand how to greet but not pester guests when they are out walking.
4o. Do you undertake any poverty reduction initiatives or does your operation contribute to poverty reduction? We distribute school materials that guests have donated. We promote the idea of sponsorship for school children on our website and manage the selection of needy families for guests to help. Many of our local families now have children who are able to attend school and have their education paid for by our guests. We are also personally committed to helping 2 local children for whom we are ‘godparents’.
4p. Do you undertake any inequality reduction initiatives or does your operation contribute to inequality reduction? Our policy is to treat and respect everyone equally.
4q. Do you undertake any injustice reduction initiatives or does your operation contribute to injustice reduction? On an informal basis, Moses is sometimes asked to mediate between two factions during local family feuds. His views are respected in the local area.
4r. What is the minimum, maximum and average age of your current employees (excluding yourself and members of the family)? Minimum: 28
4s. How many employees do you have (excluding yourself and members of the family)? 8 employees
4t. Is everyone accepted as guests or are there any restrictions? Our restriction is a minimum 2 night stay in order to prevent couples wanting to use a room for just a few hours!
4u. Anything else you would like to mention in this section? We are the unofficial local emergency service for visits to hospital/midwife as we are the only vehicle owners in the hamlet. Moses has several times been woken during the night to take neighbouring women in labour to have their baby. Two of the babies were named after us...one of each. We also provide free first aid to locals.
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| 5. CULTURAL CRITERIA- Rating: 4 out of 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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5a. Are you located within a village or city, or is there a village or city nearby? (please state name and distance in km or miles) We are 1km from Tujereng village and are in the middle of Farakunku hamlet
5b. Do you encourage guests to interact with the local community and how: Yes, in many ways. The self-guided walks encourage guests to venture beyond the gates into the local community; we have arranged football matches with local teams for guests; we take guests to local weddings, naming ceremonies, music and dance festivals. Guests like to be taken to our nearby Women’s garden, chef’s plot and the fruit market to see where their food comes from. Special festival days like Tobaski are celebrated with locals coming into the property for gifts/treats from us.
5c. What type of information is available to guests at the property: There is a welcome information folder in each room detailing all our local trips, recommendation to visit the cultural museum and local fish smoking centre, advice on the area and how to interact, no-smoking policy, Gambian lunch menu, summary about ourselves and the property.
5d. What type of activities are available to guests at the property: Self guided walks, guided night walks for owl and nightjar spotting, bike hire, pool bathing, bird watching in the grounds, peaceful enjoyment of the tree sanctuary. Local cultural musicians come to entertain guests on some evenings. We provide free transport to and from the beach and to eat at the locally-owned fish restaurant there.
5e. Local guided tours for guests organised by you: We offer guided bird watching with our own qualified bird guides, escorted excursions by car to places of interest such as the reptile conservation centre, a honey farm, ancient forest and local craft markets. Every Sunday there is African beach wrestling at Sanyang. Art workshops at the local Women’s skills centre for batik/ tie and dye. Jewellery making at nearby Mama Africa Women’s museum and art gallery/workshop. River and sea fishing on request, Kartong bird observatory with personal bird guide.
5f. Events / presentations held at the facility so far: We hosted a solar cooker demonstration for a Belgian company and invited locals to see how to cook from the sun. We also held a small demonstration for locals to explain how to replace charcoal with fuel briquettes made from compressed groundnut husks available purchased from GreenTech Gambia.
5g. Specific programme for children: None...other than an end of season pool party for our staff children and extended family.
5h. Academic Research and Academic Publications produced or assisted by the property so far: No.
5i. Is the local community at all involved in the operation of the Lodge and how? Our staff all come from the immediate locality (within walking distance) Laundry is done in the neighbouring compound, fruit and vegetables are grown for us in the community gardens. Surplus produce is often brought for us to buy.
5j. Anything else you would like to mention in this section? We promote the excellent bird watching in our area at the National Bird Fair in Rutland every year (a 3-day event) while we are in the UK. Our guides are all Gambians who are fully trained and qualified and have years of experience.
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Please sign to indicate your agreement with the following:
I hereby declare that all my answers are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and understand that I and/or my company will not have the right to veto or 'hide' our ECOCLUB.com Rating, which will be decided in the manner specified at http://ecoclub.com/ecotourism/rating. I also understand that this rating application is valid for a minimum of 1 Year and that I may request a new Rating only after 1 Year from the day that my previous rating application was published online according to the then applicable ECOCLUB.com Rating procedures, provided that we have taken improvements at the Lodge. By submitting this questionnaire I indicate acceptance of all ECOCLUB.com Rating terms, conditions and procedures as stated at http://ecoclub.com/ecotourism/rating, and understand that these may be modified at any time without notice. (Please enter (paste) your signature below or type your initials to indicate acceptance )
Your Name: Heather Roberts Date: 24 July 2013
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| ECOCLUB.com Rating: 4.2 out of 5 / Rating Date: 5 August 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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