Om̐ Sweet Om̐ is some kind of guesthouse that offers meditation, yoga...
If Madagascar legal options had allowed it, it would be a "social enterprise", in place of that it is a (very) small sustainable, social, conscious and ethical tourism enterprise.
Just for the record, the World Conference on Sustainable Tourism has defined some elements of this alternative tourism: ‘’ Sustainability; Development and respect for local balances; Attention to the effects induced on local populations; Solidarity, mutual respect and participation of local actors; Improvement of the quality of life of local population ".
Local "fair trade" purchases, local labor, local service providers, participatory and inclusive management, free activities for residents who don’t have sufficient financial means ... are the first axes of the "community aspect" of Om̐ Sweet Om̐ .
Then, apart from the benefit drawn by the community through selling in "fair trade" the goods and services they offer, our aim is to facilitate for the guests of Om̐ Sweet Om̐ an encounter with the culture and the villagers that is deep, friendly and respectful.
Our guests are neither greedy consumers in front of sellers of indigenous exoticism nor preys to the "vola adala tompo / volan’ny tsisy jery *". Our guests do not come to experience a stay in a sealed bubble to enjoy sunny weather and generous nature, keeping untouched by the harsh reality of cultural differences and huge economic gap. Our guests do not quickly throw out a small banknote or some candies to get rid of the guilt (which is not only useless but unfair) of having more, of having "too much". Our guests don’t naively live in the dusty "myth of the noble savage" who befriends the civilized explorer-traveler (whether the latter is Malagasy or from abroad).
Our guests come to meet Ambatozavavy inhabitants, to exchange with them as equals, human to human with joy and lucidity. They are ready to face their shadows and those of the other: The shadow of fear of the stranger, the shadow of envy and greed, the shadow of superiority and inferiority complexes…
But do not worry, the wise and serene surrounding nature and I will be there to accompany you in this beautiful and conscious meeting with the Other and with yourself 🙏
* the expression means "a fool's or an idiot's money", meaning it is okay to rip her/him off since s/he isn’t wise enough to give value to her/his money 🙄
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