New York. Japan. Prague. Zanzibar. We see these places on television, read about them and hear about them, but most people have never been there.
Often, we believe that we’ll never be able to visit these places because we’re limited by funds and other circumstances. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
The Global Cultural Exchange Foundation (GCEF) is an organisation that is attempting to bridge the gap of travelling and experiencing new cultures, communities and countries. Initiated by youth from various countries, the GCEF wants to “communise and popularise essential previously exclusive knowledge by facilitating its reach into generally ‘inaccessible’ pockets of the world”.
And they are currently hosting a competition where N$10 could win you a trip to Paris for five days. Read more to find out what this dynamic group is all about.
The GCEF is in fact an umbrella non-governmental organisation of Smart Investment Solutions, a Namibian-owned company. However, the GCEF is an informal social club where, according to Azania MoKoena, co-founder, director and communications officer of the Global Cultural Exchange Foundation, “different people from different backgrounds collaborate, get together and socialise”.
Starting off with discussions with those in the US and other countries around the world, it became a dream come true when the project was extended to Namibia.
MoKoena insisted that there are a lot of advantages in travelling for both the youth and adults as we are truly living in a globalised world where millions of people have become accustomed to globetrotting.
Who said that you can’t be one of those people too?
“We realised how important it was for the African youth to travel to first-world countries. We are living in a world where we stay in our societies but we need to go out in the world and see what is out there to bring back home. With the hunger and drive within African, people who have never travelled will absorb information and incorporate new ideas into their homes,” MoKoena said.
Speaking on the birth of the organisation, she had this to say: “Travelling is not prevalent. There is a huge disparity between the social classes. There are people out there who don’t think they are capable. And sadly, people who have money have more access to the opportunities and knowledge abroad.
“We decided to brainstorm ways to give people an equal opportunity from the man in the office to the meme on the street”.
Francisco Kumiku, who is also part of the GCEF, said that the group came up with strategies and ideas. “It’s a new concept, but we want to bring it to the people. You no longer have to stress about travelling.”
Ever wanted to see the City of Love? Well, if you’re over 18 years old, you have the chance to go to Paris thanks to the ‘N$10 Ticket To Paris’ competition. “It’s as simple as N$10. Purchase your ticket and you could win two return flights to Paris with five-nights accommodation including breakfast and dinner.
You get to travel with whoever you want. That’s essentially what we’re trying to build – a chance to travel,” MoKoena said. Winners will depart on 12 February until 17 February.
“It’s more like an awareness campaign,” Kumiku said. “It’s an entirely new concept that we want to bring to the people.” You can be anywhere in the world in order to enter the competition, but all you need is a valid passport.
The organisation is working with PayToday’s application in order to get your ticket or you could visit today.com.na. Raffle tickets are also available at Airtime City vending kiosks and the competition closes on 2 February. You do not have to be present for the draw which is scheduled to take place on 3 February.
The organisation will facilitate the visa process, so you don’t have to worry about that. Looking for more opportunities like this? The GCEF is welcoming members, both young and old.
“We want a global community of people who travel. We also do cultural exchanges for businesses.” Interested in volunteering? The GCEF also acts a facilitator within non-profit organisations to give those a chance to help communities.
Sharing some good advice to the youth, MoKoena said that it’s important not to limit yourself if you are interested in going abroad.
“You can. Right now, you can. If you do the research though. Go online, look at study abroad programmes. And that’s why GCEF exists. We can do the research for you, especially if you want to study abroad and look at summer programmes, etc.”
