In Search of
Unsung Heroes
Africa 2009
A Journey Across a Continent
What Took You So Long Foundation

In 2009 two young travelers will cross Africa as the
locals do, in search of people who are making a
difference to young people in need.
The journey will mark the start of the What Took You So Long Foundation, a
movement of and for young people who want to make a difference.
This journey is the Foundation’s first fundraiser.

What we can achieve
Discover
Staying with the communities, we will be able to experience first hand the issues they face and get to
know the people they feel are making a real difference to their lives.
Document
Our experiences and the stories of those we meet will be documented online, on film and in written
diaries, and distributed through local and international media platforms and through our sponsors.
Deliver
Through the WTYSL Foundation, information, knowledge and skills can be shared and reviewed by
experts in humanitarian work and sustainable development, and specific community projects funded.
Inspire
Africa is only the start. We hope our journey will inspire other young people to travel with the community
in mind, and through the WTYSL Foundation be able to achieve something that will really make a
difference to the lives of those they meet.

Route
by land
by air
NGOs
From Marrakech to Cape Town.
14,200km on public transport.
Buses, bush taxis, tro-tros, trains
and a short ride in a small plane.

Schedule
stay
PLACE
NGO visit
traveling
flights
June - August 2009
Travel 14,200km
in 10 weeks
documenting the stories of 13 NGOs.
*Note: this is a provisional schedule
and given the uncertainties of traveling
through many of these places the
schedule may be modified en route.
Back-up routes have been prepared.

Stage 1: Morocco to Senegal
bus/bush taxi
train
places visited
NGOs visited:
1. Atfalouna (Marrakech) - a local charity
with international backing providing
Dakhla
support to vulnerable street children.
2. La Fondation Moktar Ould Daddah
(Nouakchott) - a political foundation Nouadhibou Atar
promoting community values.
3. SOS Environment (Dakar) - a local
charity dedicated to urban poverty
reduction.

Stage 2: Dakar to Lome
bus/bush taxi
train
places visited
NGOs visited:
1. Association Relais Jeunes de
Bobo-Dioulasso - funds a shelter
that educates young homeless
Wa
girls.
2. Child Support (Wa) - provides
support for children in need.
3. Light for Children (Kumasi) -
providing support for children
and their families affected by HIV.

Stage 3: Lome to Luanda
bus/bush taxi
internal flight
places visited
Lagos
NGOs visited:
1. Community NGOs working in Lagos
providing support to child victims of
witchcraft.
2. Goodness and Mercy Missions (Bamenda)
- a faith based NGO and orphanage
providing community support.
3. Hope Foundation (Yaounde) - promoting
poverty alleviation through sustainable
development.

Stage 4: Luanda to Windhoek
bus/bush taxi
train
places visited
NGOs visited:
1. Beautiful Kidz Orphanage (Windhoek)
- a community orphanage for HIV-positive
orphans.
2. TOV Centre (Namibia) - a centre
providing support to children with HIV. Tsumeb

Stage 5: Windhoek to Johannesburg
bus/bush taxi
train
places visited
NGOs visited:
1. Hoops 4 Hope (Cape Town) - a local
organisation helping children through
sport.
2. Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers
(Johannesburg) - working with needy
Upington
children in Soweto.

Travelers
SEBASTIAN LINDSTROM
Formerly attached to Swedish special forces,
Sebastian is an experienced traveler and co-founder
of a grassroots NGO in Ghana providing support to
children in need. He is currently pursuing studies at
Hong Kong University.
EVAN FOWLER
Born and raised in Asia and the UK, Evan is an
experienced traveler and documentary film maker.
He currently resides in Hong Kong where he
founded Mirror Productions, a multimedia company
specialising in raising social and environmental
awareness.

What Took You So Long?
A Foundation and a Movement for the Young and Adventurous
WTYSL seeks to inspire young people around the world to travel whilst making a lasting contribution to
the places and people they visit and meet.
WTYSL is both a youth movement and a registered foundation, funding grass-root community projects
that are either too small or have yet to be scouted by international development organisations.
WTYSL hopes to create a network of like-minded young travelers and supporters who can share skills,
experiences and knowledge directly with grass root NGOs.
www.whattookyousolong.org

Make a difference
Be Inspired
Follow us online. Be inspired by the work and life stories of grass root NGOs, and think what you can do
to help those less fortunate.
Join WTYSL
Join the movement. Add your skills and experience to our community, and share them with others to
make a difference. Join the travelers*. Work with us on future travels. Be part of the team supporting the
travelers. Help us fundraise. Whatever your skills, go to our website to see how you can help.
Sponsor
Make a donation to the foundation or sponsor our journey. We accept both private and corporate
sponsorship. Different sponsorship options can be viewed on our website.
*contact us first to make arrangements.
www.whattookyousolong.org

Help Support
Real Heroes.
What Took You So Long Foundation