With you, we are creating an inspirational garden in Senegal where people can support each other to become aware of their inner essence and discover creative ways to stay in their own country.

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This is how it works

The «all or nothing» principle applies: The project only receives the funds if the funding target is reached or exceeded.

1 backer

34 days to go

Who are we?

We are Thiaka (Senegal) and Joël (Switzerland). We met in 2023 in Mauritania, on the Moroccan border. We were both looking for a ride to Senegal. Joël was on a trip to West Africa, and Thiaka was busy with his tedious sales work. Thiaka had a terrible cold, could barely walk, and was burdened with tons of boxes and bags. Thiaka wanted to go back home (Louga, Senegal), and Joël wanted to go in that direction too. We met on our journey to Senegal. Thiaka let Joël stay with him, with trust and goodwill. An acquaintance turned into friendship, and shortly thereafter, we envisioned a garden for self-sufficiency and inspiration. Thiaka already owned a piece of land at the time. With Joël’s financial help, we quickly built a new home for Thiaka, where the vision of the learning garden took root. Thiaka already lives on this property. What’s still missing, however, is a garden, the infrastructure, and the opportunity for Thiaka to become self-sufficient.

What knowledge do we bring to this project? Thiaka knows the local people and has extensive networks. Through his buying and selling trips, he’s familiar with the trade and knows what people need. His brother is a teacher and offers the opportunity to accompany school classes to creative workshops. Thiaka, as a griot, knows how to inspire others and ignite the fire in their hearts. It’s the knowledge of the heart!

Joël is a trained carpenter and works seasonally as a dry-stone mason and farmer. His passion for gardening began at the age of 5 and is now manifested in permaculture on the nature farm in Waltwil 4. Through experience, courses, and workshops, he expanded his self-sufficiency knowledge and even offers nature courses in Switzerland with Tomahawk (a nature connection school).

Joël will only be involved with Thiaka in Senegal occasionally in the future. Therefore, Thiaka will be tending the garden and conducting workshops with his family and a community. It’s important to us to be able to provide a space for people to experience new things for themselves on-site.

In collaboration with Assane Sylla, who works with the FESFOP (Slow Food Community), we offer each other the opportunity to share knowledge, plants, and gardening materials.

  • So much has already been built. Thiaka already lives in this house with his chickens and his dog, Tina.
    So much has already been built. Thiaka already lives in this house with his chickens and his dog, Tina.
  • Under construction in 2024.
    Under construction in 2024.
  • Shortly before I left for Gambia, we invited a group of children to visit us. They all wanted to help us in our garden for some money. They eagerly and happily loaded the wheelbarrows and played soccer at the same time.
    Shortly before I left for Gambia, we invited a group of children to visit us. They all wanted to help us in our garden for some money. They eagerly and happily loaded the wheelbarrows and played soccer at the same time.
  • Thiaka, on his already acquired land. About the third time we sat there to feel the energy and allow our vision to flourish. In the background, you can see the barrel we filled with water from the neighbor to then make bricks.
    Thiaka, on his already acquired land. About the third time we sat there to feel the energy and allow our vision to flourish. In the background, you can see the barrel we filled with water from the neighbor to then make bricks.

Our project

Creating an organic, fruit-bearing, and meaningful garden is a dream of many Senegalese, but the knowledge and energy to do so have been lost. With this project, we want to offer solutions and inspiration so that they can remember pre-colonial times and live more self-sufficiently and empoweredly. A large portion of people’s financial expenses is food. Money becomes less important with their own permaculture gardens.

Emigration can be reduced because violence or war are no longer a reason for it. If the population succeeds in taking the step of leading a more self-sustaining life, this would trigger a chain reaction of communal consciousness and offer a better quality of life. As a side effect, health could improve enormously. Current events in the world show that migration is becoming increasingly difficult. The separated family life often caused by migration presents a rather sad living situation.

We are building a house with a garden that can be used for future class visits and workshops or courses. At the same time, a living space is being built where Thiaka and his family will live.

Thanks to the donations, we can complete the space and equip the garden with all the necessary installations and plants. We plan to install green facades and roofs, plant fruit trees and perennials, and provide facilities for a horse that will also move in. The rooms need plastering, painting, and electricity and water connections. We want to offer a seed bank with organic seeds, which will be available to the entire city and beyond.

There are already numerous examples of people creating artistic community gardens in arid regions. But this garden is intended to be a symbol of normality, naturalness, and simplicity. Vertical greening and roof greening, in particular, play an important role in plant cultivation. The shade they provide for the house serves as air conditioning, which is of great benefit in this area. Certain plants are particularly suitable, producing additional fruit and providing food for people and animals. The simple adaptation of these facilities could potentially create new jobs, which would certainly benefit the common good.

Thiaka grew up with a leg disability, lost his right eye sight, and suffers from severe asthma attacks. People in Senegal don’t have a social disability system. Nevertheless, he has an admirable desire to show people what all the people living here are capable of.

The implementation of the goals with this crowdfunding campaign will begin immediately after receipt of the proceeds. Every contribution will be documented and will be visible online on Instagram and TikTok. Specifically, we expect further work to begin on August 20, 2025.

In January 2026, Joël and his partner Annina will be in Senegal and will be able to provide project-related assistance.

A trip to Louga, to the Inspiration Garden, is possible at any time and can also be arranged as accommodation. Please contact us for details (j93thoma@gmail.com).

  • Thiaka and a good friend of ours, Assane Sylla, who introduced us to his garden. He produces organic grains, vegetables, and fruits with his community and the Slow Food Foundation.
    Thiaka and a good friend of ours, Assane Sylla, who introduced us to his garden. He produces organic grains, vegetables, and fruits with his community and the Slow Food Foundation.
  • Aerial view from Google Maps
    Aerial view from Google Maps

This is what I need backing for.

Step by step:

  • Purchase and humane care of a horse for Thiaka (CHF 1,500)
  • Purchase of a horse-drawn cart (CHF 1,000)
  • Completion of the self-sufficiency center (CHF 15,000)
  • Planting the garden (at least CHF 1,500)
  • Implementation of the facade and roof greening (CHF 500)
  • Well construction and gardening tools (CHF 2,000)
  • Seed collection for the community (CHF 1,000)
  • Purchase of the adjacent land (CHF 2,500)

Fortunately, building this entire infrastructure is a much more cost-effective option for us Swiss in Africa. That’s precisely why it’s worthwhile to get things moving with little money here, where it’s so urgently needed. Considering the entire budget to accommodate all the ideas, we’re talking about an amount between 50,000 and 70,000 Swiss francs. If we receive a higher donation than planned, we can then cultivate additional land next door and create more space for the nature school.

Joel filling the room floor with sand.
Joel filling the room floor with sand.