GUÉPART’s humanitarian work with local communities
A journey towards recovery.
A contribution to the communities who welcome us.
With GUÉPART, a supported journey away from daily routines means more than a change of place. Participants spend several days with welcoming local communities, sharing daily life.
This hospitality inspired a reciprocal approach:
supporting participants as they work towards recovery;
making a practical, meaningful and lasting contribution to the community.
We focus on healthcare, water, energy and essential infrastructure—priority needs in many countries on the OECD’s list of official development assistance recipients.
Why include humanitarian work in our therapeutic journeys?
GUÉPART’s humanitarian work creates a two-way relationship
At the heart of GUÉPART’s programme is a supported therapeutic journey abroad, together with a commitment to human connection and solidarity
During the 15 days of immersion in a different culture, community activities remain carefully supported and balanced:
they preserve the therapeutic purpose of the journey,
they do not turn the trip into a humanitarian mission,
they complement the expertise of local organisations,
they are based on respect, joint planning and practical value and designed to respond to the actual needs of the communities who welcome us.
This adds to the therapeutic experience:
everyone becomes part of a wider shared effort bringing together care, solidarity and purpose.
For participants
Working together can support:
personal rebuilding,
a sense of making a useful contribution,
self-esteem.
For communities
Every country, area and community has distinct circumstances and needs.
GUÉPART works only with communities that:
agree to welcome us and the programme;
wish to develop a community project together, respecting their culture and ways of organising;
take part in shaping the project.
in GUÉPART programmes
working with us locally
Community projects form part of each therapeutic journey and directly involve participants in the GUÉPART programme.
GUÉPART contributes to practical activities that aim to improve living conditions, based on needs expressed by the communities themselves.
For people experiencing addiction
For the communities who welcome us
Our local community partners often identify essential needs relating to:
Access to healthcare and basic medical care,
Drinking water or irrigation systems,
Energy
(solar panels, batteries and storage systems),Everyday infrastructure
(sanitation, school equipment, footbridges, bridges and community facilities…)
GUÉPART works only on projects requested by the community, agreed with the local authorities.
Activities are developed with communities and residents, based on their priorities, and carried out with local professionals.
The work is designed to be useful, realistic, lasting and respectful of local cultural practices.
Contributing to a community project during a therapeutic journey can help strengthen:
a sense of purpose,
self-esteem, which may have been affected by addiction,
the ability to cooperate, commit and trust,
a sense of one’s role as an active member of society, beyond the experience of illness.
Solidarity can therefore become an integral part of the therapeutic approach, adding to the experience of the therapeutic journey.
Why take action?
Benefits for participants and communities
Connecting care and solidarity
GUÉPART believes that taking part in something beyond ourselves can also help us rebuild our lives.
Bringing together care, travel and solidarity can support recovery through purpose, cooperation and responsibility.
How do we work?
A 3-stage approach
Before the journey
joint planning and preparation
Identifying local needs with an NGO based in the country
Working with a trusted local organisation
Discussions with traditional authorities, community leaders, teachers and healthcare professionals
Selecting one or more priority activities
Budgets, quotations and schedules prepared by local professionals
Preparing participants to understand the purpose, ethical framework and responsibilities of the community activities
During the journey
a supportive, respectful role
The therapeutic journey remains focused on recovery.
Participants may occasionally contribute to simple parts of the community project, while construction, specialist work, engineering and technical operations are always carried out by local professionals.
This approach supports the local economy and the quality of the work.
Medical support
Each journey is accompanied by a French emergency doctor who:
offers free consultations in agreement with the community,
brings medical equipment and medicines,
and leaves some supplies locally, according to the needs identified.
Regular project follow-up by our local partners
Sharing photographs, videos and reports
Assessing the impact on the community
Reflecting on the therapeutic experience with participants
Support beyond clinical care to build lasting local connections.
After the journey
follow-up and transparency
Who do we work with?
Committed, experienced local partners
for medical support (the hospital services working with us).
This collaboration rests on three principles:
respect, joint planning and practical value.
Community organisations
Local organisations
associations and village committees
working in education, health, access to water or conservation
Operators and logistics coordinators
based in the country
Local healthcare providers
local clinics, nurses and doctors
French partner organisations
Local partners
Kenya 2026 - Loita Hills & Shompole
A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE
For the 2026 programme, GUÉPART is working alongside Maasai communities in the Loita Hills, in south-western Kenya.
Mwitu Na Watu Charitable Trust
Established in Kenya over 30 years ago, the organisation works in conservation, education and support for vulnerable communities. Its projects include schools, an orphanage, refugee programmes and community infrastructure.
It identifies priorities with residents and oversees local implementation.
African Latitude
An operator and logistics coordinator based in Kenya, with whom we have worked for more than 15 years.
They manage logistics, safety, relationships with communities and the smooth running of the therapeutic journey.
Needs identified by the communities
Building a clinic
Upgrading Shompole school’s electricity with solar panels, a battery and a charging system
Creating or improving a drinking-water network
Building sanitation facilities
Longer term: community infrastructure, such as a bridge for children to reach school during floods, or a community building.
Several priorities have been identified:
Projects can be adapted according to the funding secured and residents’ priorities.
For GUÉPART participants
For local communities
Practical improvements in living conditions: health, water, energy and education.
Projects designed and chosen by residents.
Support for the local economy through employing local professionals.
Support for conservation or education initiatives.
Opportunities to build self-esteem and a sense of purpose.
First-hand experience of solidarity.
Support for working towards lasting recovery.
Openness to different experiences and perspectives on what matters.
What difference can it make?
How can you support our humanitarian work?
Fund a project or contribute
Fund all or part of a project, such as building a clinic or sanitation facilities for a school and the community, purchasing and installing solar panels, setting up a drinking-water network or providing school equipment…
Become a donor to GUÉPART’s humanitarian work and support its medical and therapeutic activities.
Become a donor
Legal framework and registration
GUÉPART is registered as a travel and holiday operator with Atout France (IM094260001), in accordance with the French Tourism Code.
This official registration provides the legal framework for our therapeutic journeys and reflects our commitment to a safe, transparent and professional setting for participants and partners.
We also hold:
a financial guarantee provided by FMS-UNAT (Fonds de Mutualisation du Tourisme Solidaire),
and professional liability insurance with MAIF.
These arrangements support reliable organisation, protection for participants, and the long-term continuity of GUÉPART’s innovative therapeutic programme.
Useful information
GUÉPART is a non-profit association supporting recovery from addiction through therapeutic travel. Professional guidance and human connection help participants rebuild their lives.
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Registration and insurance
Registered with Atout France — IM094260001 (in French)
Financial guarantee: FMS-UNAT | Professional liability insurance: MAIF