Voyages Développement Solidarité

The VDS Association (Voyage, Development, Solidarité) plans trips abroad within the framework of each host country's environment, local customs and traditions.A partner of Caritas Internationalis (the Caritas International confederation) of 162 members, VDS has the similar goals of aid, development and social services on the behalf of the world's poorest peoples.

The unique concept of VDS is its program of connecting small groups (no more than 10 persons) with community groups in host countries to further mutual understanding and cultural exchanges. Each traveller knows that a percentage of the total travel expenses will be donated directly to local community groups in order to facilitate development projects carried out by the villagers themselves.

VDS strives to attain a symbiosis between travel to new horizons and various forms of development; and, has established working relationships with like-minded NGOs.

The years 2004 and 2005 saw VDS groups travel to Brazil, Bulgaria, Benin, Djibouti, Cambodia, Vietnam and Madagascar. Those trips contributed from 4% to 10% of the travel price to local development organisations.