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https://reasonstobecheerful.world/timbuktu-tour-guides-develop-postcard-program/>
"For years, Nialy and the other residents of Timbuktu saw their livelihoods
drain away and slide towards ever-greater desperation. But in 2016, Phil
Paoletta, an American owner of a legendary hostel in Mali’s capital Bamako,
The Sleeping Camel, and Nialy, now 34, agreed on a plan to deliver the people
of Timbuktu a new form of income.
The result was Postcards from Timbuktu, a project that cannily plays on
Timbuktu’s image as a faraway land at the edge of the earth. Through it,
customers can order a personalized, handwritten postcard sent from Timbuktu to
an address of their choice anywhere around the world. The project allows
would-be tourists to support these former guides, who remain deeply attached to
their hometown despite the conflict."
Punchline:
"Beyond the promotion of slower living, Postcards from Timbuktu has potentially
found a way to circumvent the barriers usually posed by violent conflict: it
allows income to flow into local communities, perhaps providing a model for
others to follow. A contact in Agadez, Niger — another place that has suffered
from the collapse of the tourism sector — has gotten in touch with Paoletta to
discuss the launch of something similar.
“This same project could be done in all sorts of places,” says Paoletta.
“Places that have become inaccessible for whatever reasons. It could be a
lifeline for them.”"
This is a great idea, and I’d love more places to start copying the example.
Imagine collecting postcards from all around the world, or even having a book
to fill like a stamp collection!
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
