Welcome

I began learning about Ghana in 2013. First it was in a consulting role, learning about the existing businesses and contributing where I could from a training perspective. Over time it became something else entirely. I was learning about how things worked. I was learning about the tourism sector, and all the businesses that contributed to it. I was meeting students and educators, leaders within the community, and getting involved in events. I then decided to make Ghana the focus of my doctoral program.

 

After three years of research, I believe there is a low-tech solution to a problem facing communities all over the world - how to develop a strong tourism ecosystem. My research suggests it starts with the youth and involves domestic tourism education. It's about helping them to recognize the things that are beautiful or interesting in their backyards, and how to develop revenue streams for them. These young men and women, given the tools to think differently about what's around them, can grow up to be tourism entrepreneurs and in some cases make an immediate impact.

 

The low-tech solution comes in the form of a MicroSD chip loaded with video, pictures, texts and challenges designed to engage young people. I call these 'HospiPods.' My thesis is that young people are incredibly resourceful, and with access to the simplest Android phone they can interact with the chip's content. No data or Wi-Fi required. They can learn alone or in groups, working on challenges collectively or individually. What they come up with will eventually be uploaded and shared, each time benefitting the next individual. The chips can be passed on indefinitely.

 

I am very excited to announce the first distribution of HospiPods this June in Accra, Ghana. It seems only natural to start in the place where the idea emerged. While there is some tourism in the country, the percentage of GDP has not met expectations in recent years. The young people I interviewed reinforced a need for increasing domestic tourism, and entrepreneurship is a great solution when 95% of college graduates have no job prospects.

 

I don't want to sound like countless commercials out there for great non-profits. But here is what you need to know... I have funded each of my six trips personally. Hospitalented is not a 501(c)(3) organization - it is a social good enterprise. To buy and distribute the chips, I must depend on funding that comes from individuals, organizations and companies. This is me asking you to fund five, ten or one hundred HospiPods, and to trust that I will get them to where they need to go.

 

Thank you in advance,

 

Damien L. Duchamp, Ed.D

Executive Director

Hospitalented