Since last November the apartment rental company Rent4Days, is aiding the Guné Foundation, an NGO committed to the transformation of the Kolda region, one of the poorest areas of Senegal, Africa.

Rent4Days is a company which is in the market of renting accommodation for short to midterm stays. It was founded in Barcelona in 2002. The firm planned to continuously expand beyond the city of Barcelona and quickly entered the market in Madrid. When this project turned out to be a success the evolvement went beyond the borders of Spain and the third office opened in Lisbon. Regular expansions through the acquisition of Barcelona Madrid and Lisbon apartments and continuous expansion lead the firm to international awareness and global responsibility.

It is therefore no surprise that Rent4Days decided to help the Guné Foundation to fight poverty. The “check-in for Africa” campaign is has a simple system. Every client who is renting a holiday or corporate apartment in Barcelona, Madrid or Lisbon is asked to donate just a single Euro to the foundation online, or via phone. While it seems little, taking into consideration the number of bookings and therefore donations and the impact that even a little money can have on a poor Region like Koldo, the campaign can actually make a difference.

Senegal is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the north and east. It inhabits about 13 million citizens in 200 000 square kilometers. The per capita GDP income averages about only $1,024 and with the ever growing population and weak economic structure, this figure is not going to improve if no aide is being provided. Kolda is one of the 14 sub-regions and by far the poorest and weakest area. Education and basic medicine are only available here for a few lucky ones.

The word Guné means children in “Wolof”, the official language of the country. The aims of the Foundation are to protect what, like children, is most precious to the people. This means supporting and improving education, community health and women’s empowerment in this weakly structured region. A courageous and dedicated team is actively trying to improve the everyday life of the inhabitants while improving education and health standards.

Definite projects include a training centre for professional skills and abilities, a centre for empowerment for women which supports so far about 1.500 women in problematic environments, 10 common housing for homeless projects, facilities for easy and secure access to clean food and water, clinics and medical facility to improve common health problems and decrease new-born mortality rates and the construction of school and education centers to decrease dyslexia. All of those vital projects are partly to completely funded by donations and depend on the graciousness of others. To learn more about the foundation and its tasks, contact Rent4Days Spain and Portugal or Guné directly at: http://www.fundaciogune.org/es

Due to the 100% selfless and non-profit oriented nature of this project, and to maintain its independent NGO status every little donation is needed to support the Guné team in their noble actions. Rent4Days and its clients gladly support the cause and give little to achieve much. If you want to book a self catering apartment in Madrid, Barcelona and Lisbon you can do so now, while doing your part in making the world a better place.

Far too often we see only our subjective point of view, formed by our individual environments. Due to the rise of international trade and the importance of foreign relations, global awareness is a must though. We must learn to stop seeing only personal matters and look beyond to analyze the pleasures and problems of foreign cultures to learn from them, and to support them in the name of humanity. The Guné foundation has taken many great steps toward this direction and Rent4Days is actively supporting them, but in the end it is in our hand; the hands of each individual to start caring and work toward a better tomorrow.