See also
Tumani Tenda Camp
Introduction:
 The Jola village, near Kafuta, operate a conservation project area part of
which is cultivated and the project is centred round the camp (see
link above).
Concept:
This is a community that is working together to make best use of all
its resources - natural and human. Over the past 10 years, the
villagers of
Tumani Tenda have established one village enterprise
after another. Their first was a community forest and that maturing
plantation is now a sure supply of construction timber and firewood.
And, densely planted to discourage grassy undergrowth, it is also a
fire break, which protects their houses and 89 hectares of valuable
mature trees from the sudden dry season bush fires that can sweep in
from the interior, destroying everything.
 Later the villagers established a community vegetable garden. Covering
more than three hectares it is divided into three parts. One third is
planted with cassava, which is worked by the whole village. Another
third grows banana; plots are owned individually but ten per cent of
any sales are given to the village garden fund. The remaining third of
the garden is a mosaic of colourful and carefully-nurtured vegetables.
 The area's other resource is the river: the creek is a steady source
of small fish as well as oysters, which cling to the roots of the
mangroves along the banks. Buoyed up by their success with trees and
vegetables, the community now has its own small trawler, which
recruits a volunteer crew to venture further downstream fishing deeper
waters.
The villagers give visitors the chance to experience their local
cuisine, traditional Jola dances, sacred rituals and sometimes invite
guests into their compounds.
The villagers give you the chance to experience the rich complexity,
self-sufficiency and tempo of village life. Opportunities are
available to visit women's projects, the school, the poultry, the
horticultural garden and community forest. Visitors are encouraged to
absorb themselves in the atmosphere of the village through asking
questions and participating in certain activities in order to gain
understanding of life in a rural Jolla Community. In essence visitors
can experience a unique blend of education, vacation, recreation,
relaxation, adventure and learning. Opportunities are available to buy
products made by the people of
Tumani Tenda which visitors may take
home as distinctive souvenirs of their experience, such as soap,
baskets, batiks and tye and dye material. Day trippers to
Tumani Tenda
will be able to experience the special relationship that the villagers
have with the natural environment and witness the many examples where
the villagers conserve and preserve the environment from which their
living depend on.
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