Every Papillon Reizen journey contributes to two funds that keep a small but meaningful portion of your trip in the communities that welcomed you: an Emergency Fund and a Project Fund.
This is part of how we try to keep the exchange balanced — travel that leaves something real behind, in the places that hosted it.
Papillon Emergency Fund
The local community can request a contribution from the Papillon Emergency Fund in urgent situations when a family cannot raise the necessary money in time. Typical examples include:
- Unplanned medical treatment
- Contribution to funeral expenses
- Rebuilding a home damaged during the rainy season
Every request is reviewed and verified by our local contacts before a disbursement is made.
Papillon Project Fund
The Project Fund supports small, locally-driven initiatives — projects designed by and for the community, usually with a focus on environmental awareness or economic independence through small business.
Initiatives currently supported include:
- Fanga schools — monthly salary for a carpentry teacher and ongoing school construction in the Ségou region
- Tree-planting project — partnering with local activist Souleymane Diakité to restore tree cover
- Microloan programme — a long-standing scheme prioritising financial independence for women
- GiveBackWednesday — educational river trips and village visits for local youth
- Scholarship fund for Malian girls — school fees for underprivileged girls
If you'd like to give directly to one of these initiatives — or start a conversation about a project close to your heart — send us a message and we'll put you in touch.