SANKOFA WELLNESS PROJECT
The Sankofa Wellness Project presents
Retreat
Recharge
Reconnect
A Family Wellness Retreat in Barbados
December 16 - 22, 2024
Are you busy raising black children
and need to take a break from the States
so you can reclaim your time,
strengthen your family relationships,
and replenish your mental health?
Then join us in Barbados where you'll deepen your family bonds while immersing yourselves in the island's African Diasporic heritage, so you can return to the US revitalized and unified.
Retreat, Recharge, Reconnect
Imagine standing on the shore, swaying to the rhythmic melody of the sea as the boat approaches. You smile and step into the water, feeling the soft sand ease beneath your feet and the playful tickle of tiny colorful fish. You close your eyes and exhale. You've made it to the Caribbean.
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Your children are already on board, and you're completely in awe of how courageously they've approached each new adventure on this trip. You proudly listen to the excitement in their voices as they chat with their new Barbadian friends, challenging one another to touch the sea turtles and snorkel all the way to the sunken ship! Your heart skips a beat at the thought of them swimming in the open ocean until the lifeguard on board shoots you a reassuring smile, handing each passenger a colorful life jacket and covering the rules for staying safe. You exhale again, reminding yourself that you came all this way to relax and release all stress and worries. You've brought your family to one of the safest islands in the Caribbean, and it's already working. You look around and breathe in the sight of them all being fully present in this experience, without even a mention of their cell phones!
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With a burst of energy, the engine roars to life and the young kids shriek in excitement while the older teens join the collective laughter of the adults high-fiving one another. As the boat glides towards the horizon, you realize this is just the beginning of an extraordinary journey - for you and your loved ones. You settle into your seat in the warmth of the Caribbean sun, basking in this magical moment and the memories that will fuel you all for a lifetime."
Benefits of Joining Our Retreat
Can you imagine how rewarding it would feel to dedicate a week to strengthening your closest relationships, proving that the people you love are more important than your busy schedules and to-do lists?
This retreat is designed intentionally for your family to support one another and practice real-world problem solving techniques through team-building activities, so you return home united and ready to face any challenges life presents.
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How perfect would it be to embark on an international journey to a predominately black country that offers authentic cultural exchange experiences far more meaningful and lasting than the ordinary vacation?
YES, YES, and YES! On this one-of-a-kind family wellness retreat, you'll be able to genuinely get to know members of the Bajan community (our Caribbean cousins), so that you gain a more authentic connection to life in the Caribbean far beyond what you'd experience on a cruise or resort.
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How calm would your nervous system feel after practicing daily meditations for a whole week with your family in absolutely breathtaking environments?
On this journey, your number one priority is to relax and destress while immersing yourselves in the laid-back island culture of Barbados, experiencing the mystical bonds between humans, animals, and the natural environment.
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How impactful would it be to instill a deep appreciation for mindfulness activities in your kids in a setting that centers their rich African heritage instead of hours of screen time?
On this retreat, you will enjoy nature experiences that improve your mental health while detoxing from digital distractions which will lead to lots of unforgettable family moments and deeper family connections.
Reinforce Family Ties
Rejuvenate in Nature
Reconnect with Your Roots
Why Barbados?
Barbados is an oasis of peace and calm.
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Some attribute this favorable reputation to its lush greenery, tropical forests, and sprawling botanical gardens.
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Others point to its tranquil beaches and soothing shores.
But what truly sets Barbados apart is its people.
Barbados shares deep historical and cultural connections with African Americans and all members of the African Diaspora, offering much to uncover and explore. With a majority of its population being of African descent, Bajan people form the heart of the island's charm with their rich culture and laid-back way of life.
CHOOSE YOUR HOTEL
Rostrevor Hotel:
Option A
The Rostrevor Hotel is a charming beachfront property with stunning ocean views.
This gem is Black-owned and operated, and is perfect if you're looking to make the most of your budget. Located in the heart of St. Lawrence Gap, you'll find restaurants and lively bars directly across the street from the hotel.
The property also has a cute little secluded beach that is accessible only from the hotel grounds or by sea. Talk about exclusive! You and other hotel patrons have your own private beach with your own resident turtle family! What?!?!?
This is truly one of the best hotels on the South Coast where you can experience luxury without breaking the bank.
Southern Palms Beach Club & Resort Hotel:
Option B
Southern Palms is known for its pastel pink architecture, its tranquil ambiance, and it's position along Dover Beach's breathtaking stretch of the Southern Coast.
You'll enjoy a daily buffet breakfast with the hotel pool on your left and the glistening ocean on your right. Your family will also have access to complimentary water sports like boogie boarding, snorkeling and windsurfing, all courtesy of the hotel.
You'll also be a short walk away from a collection of restaurants, bars, shopping areas and the lively St. Lawrence Gap nightlife.
Relax under a swaying palm tree while the hotel's own steel pan band provides the acoustic vibes.
The Cuisine
And what about the food?!
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Get ready for a mouthwatering adventure designed to introduce you to the rich blend of African, English, and Caribbean flavors that define Bajan cuisine.
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Kick off each morning with a delightful breakfast featuring fruits, pastries, and baked beans (?), courtesy of the English's influence. For lunch, recharge with Caribbean classics like rice and peas, rotis or curry with meat, fish and/or veggies. And as the sun sets, enjoy freshly caught fish, seafood and hearty ground provisions. Vegetarian options may include soups with local spices, or Rastafarian "Ital"-style dishes. Prepare your taste buds for authentic Bajan favorites like roasted breadfruit, fish cake, macaroni pie (a cousin of mac n cheese), flying fish and cou-cou.
And because your American host, Rufiena, is an absolute FOODIE, we'll make a game of scouring the island for the best rum punch, rum sours, bread pudding with vanilla rum sauce while in Barbados, the birthplace of rum (sorry, kids!).
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If you have any specific dietary needs, let us know in advance, so that we can make sure your culinary journey is unforgettable!
YOUR ITINERARY
1) VISUALIZATION
During this retreat, you will enjoy a nature excursions, Mindfulness workshops, and leisure time with your family.
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When you arrive in Barbados, the scenic drive across the island and the stunning views from your beachfront hotel will set the tone for the life-changing experience you and your loved ones are going to have.
You'll meet your facilitators, Leah and Rufiena who will introduce you to the other families during a very special Welcome Dinner. Then, you'll engage in a visualization activity that sets the tone for the rest of our week together.
What do YOU desire to experience on this journey?
2) AFFIRMATIONS
Once you have your vision, now you get to decide who you need to be in order to make it a reality. Your facilitators will leade a group workshop in creating powerful affirmations which you will put into practice during our first excursion to Harrison's Cave Eco-Adventure Park. There, we will journey into the active crystallized, limestone cave that reveals the unique makeup of the island. Families can enjoy the Challenge Course, Zipline and other features of the theme park that provide multiple team building opportunities for the adventurous at heart.
3) MEDITATION & PRAYER
Have you heard of "forest bathing?" Kick off your digital detox in an agroforestry site overlooking the island's eastern coast to practice "Shinrin-Yoku," the Japanese art of sitting / meditating in a forest. The calming sacred practice of silence amid nature's symphony of bird songs, monkey calls, and the distant sounds of crashing waves will continue with a scenic sunset snorkel dinner cruise. After your facilitators lead you on a guided group meditation on a luxury catamaran riding the shimmering sea, you can put your goggles on and jump in for an afternoon of snorkeling and swimming with turtles. This incredibly liberating experience will deepen your connection to the marine world and revitalize your spirit.
4) EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE
Embrace the mindfulness practice of intentionally expanding your knowledge as we focus on the generations of African ancestors who've paved the way for our journey. Your facilitators Leah and Rufiena will guide you through techniques to connect with your ancestors so that you always feel supported and connected to those who came before you as well as those who will come after you. During a visit to a former sugarcane plantation and rum distillery, the group will consider the similiarities between African descendants around the globe, shifting our attention to learn about Bussa, a Barbadian national hero credited with helping to end slavery on the island. A university professor of History & Philosophy, and author of the first book on Pan-Africanism in Barbados, will conclude our tour, ending at the Newton Slave Burial Ground, the oldest known burial grounds of enslaved Africans in the Western Hemisphere, uplifiting our collective stories of struggle, resilience and liberation,
5) MOVEMENT & EXERCISE
How does sunrise yoga on the beach sound?
As we guide you through the mindfulness practice of daily exercise & movement, you'll learn several early rising routines which serve as the foundation for a productive day and healthy life. In addition to daily swims in the hotel pool or crystal blue ocean, and available watersport for an addtional fee, you'll engage in a grounding activity that highlights the therapeutic benefits of caring for horses. Led by a dedicated equestrian, Bajan community leader and member of a multigenerational Rastafarian family, your guide and facilitators will lead you on a hands-on activity that begins with grooming and connecting with the horses, and for those of you who are comfortable and/or experienced riding horses, the session may conclude with a sunset horse ride.
6) JOURNAL REFLECTION
Throughout your journey, we guide you to reflect on your experiences in writing, recording any major epiphanies, self-discoveries or ground-breaking clarity you experience. This mindfulness practice of SCRIBING or JOURNALING will provide you the opportunities to process through the life you're living back home, the experiences you're having in Barbados, and the kind of future experiences you want to create more of. We'll also create opportunities for you to share heartfelt moments with the group during the special closing meal we have planned for you.
What's Included?
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Six days of activities in nature that will calm your nervous systems, deepen your spiritual capacity, and provide better family moments than any social media post could capture
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Seven nights accommodations right in the center of the vibrant St. Lawrence Gap area
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Beachfront luxury in a prime location near Dover Beach, one of Barbados' highest-rated beaches
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A special welcome dinner and a memorable closing brunch, including six breakfasts, four lunches, and five dinners
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Free time for to explore some local cuisine of your choice in St. Lawrence Gap
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Expert guidance from two facilitators & wellness practitioners - one American and one Bajan
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Daily mindfulness sessions designed to provide you with tools to heal your own mind, body and soul
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Daily unity circles that amplify the power of community when WE intentionally come together in love
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Ground transportation to and from the airport, and all scheduled excursions
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A balance of activities and leisure, ensuring you have plenty of time to relax & enjoy the beach so that you well-rested and rejuvenated!
What's NOT Included?
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Roundtrip airfare to and from your home
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Alcoholic beverages - although you can buy your own
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Transportation outside of scheduled activities
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Events or activities that exclude children (get on our mailing list for our summer Adults-only trips)
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Personal expenses including but not limited to incidentals, spa services, meals or beverages during free time, or other activities not explicitly mentioned
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Personal, medical, or trip cancellation insurance (highly recommended).
This Journey Is
For You IF:
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You go on regular family vacations and cruises, but deeply desire more culturally-relevant and enriching travel experiences for your family.​​
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Your entire family (including you) honestly needs a week long digital detox that helps improve your mental wellbeing and refocuses your attention on spending quality time with each other.
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You want to instill the spirit and joy of international travel into your children while connecting with other members of the Global African family outside of the US.​
This Journey Is NOT
For You IF:
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You want to drop your kids off.
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This December retreat is designed for families to participate in activities together, but our upcoming summer camp will have drop off services. Join our mailing list for details.
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You have crippling fear/anxiety of being in nature.
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We understand, especially considering the generational trauma we as African descendants have faced. Our retreats are designed to support your healing, but if your fear is overwhelming, you might prefer to start with our virtual mindfulness sessions. Join our mailing list to learn about our virtual gatherings that may prepare you to join us on future retreats.​​
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Your health prevents you from walking at a regular pace for periods up to 20 - 30 minutes.
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If you or a loved one may have trouble with physically demanding activities, contact us directly to discuss details. We may be able to make special arrangements. ​​​​
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About Us
The Sankofa Wellness Project is a cross-cultural partnership between Cultural Capital, LLC (a US-based company) & Nzuri Holistic Wellness (a Barbadian charity).
Together, we offer deeply healing, eco-conscious wellness programs designed to equip youth and families of African descent with tools and experiences to heal generational trauma.
Our vision is to facilitate healing among African descendants by intentionally retracing the path of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, honoring our ancestors' resistance and resilience, while learning about, experiencing and being recharged by the enduring cultural connections and legacies that have been passed down through cultural practices and genetic memory.
Our current destinations are:
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Barbados
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South Carolina/Louisiana (2025)
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Ghana (2026)​
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Subscribe to our mailing list for updates about our 2024 Barbados trip, and to learn about our future international retreats and virtual programs.
A note from American Facilitator
Rufiena Jones
Life in the US can be hectic, especially for African American mothers juggling our health and professional careers while raising children. Like you, I’ve worked tirelessly to provide a great life for my kids, only to find myself in a losing battle with electronic devices and negative cultural influences. Add on the stress from work and a broken marriage and I was done. Carrying the weight of this draining routine led to crippling anxiety..and worries that I still wasn’t doing enough.
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Then I began attending international women’s retreats with like-minded women processing our traumas and grounding in nature. I experienced a profound shift - only to return home to find my children stuck in the same rut, glued to their devices. Although Black women’s retreats have become extremely popular, there’s a huge gap in healing experiences for families, especially Black families. So I teamed up with my Bajan sister and co-facilitator, Leah Clarke of Nzuri Holistic Wellness, to offer cultural wellness experiences designed specifically to facilitate healing in people of African descent. We guide you to unplug from the barrage of society's digital distractions and instead reprioritize and repair your family bonds like I've begun doing with my own family.
I bring into this work my experience as a Fulbright Fellow and Cultural Arts Ambassador with years of involvement in prominent African American family organizations like Jack and Jill of America, Inc. as well as the Los Angeles African Dance and Drum community.
I am honored to offer you this carefully curated retreat and hope that you, too, will benefit from the relaxation, toolbox of mindfulness techniques, and meaningful immersion experiences intended to soothe your soul for many years to come.
A note from Barbadian Facilitator
Leah Clarke
For the past 8 years, Leah has been working with charities and NGOs that have been promoting and working in sustainable agriculture, youth education and empowerment, economic development and our African culture and heritage. She worked with the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Empowerment, helping to manage The Sojourner Foundation’s “Youth Farming and Leadership Programme” for two years with young people from the Barbados Youth Advance Corps. She served in several capacities, including providing oversight of overall programming, designing curriculum and supervising classes in organic farming, culinary arts and sustainable living. Most days, Leah worked alongside the students, planting, maintaining and harvesting crops, cooking and building with natural materials. She also conducted sessions in entrepreneurship and holistic wellness.
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In Summer 2018, Leah participated in a very similar, successfully run cultural exchange programme with 8 young people, 4 from North Carolina and St. Croix and 4 from Barbados. During the 2 weeks, the students and mentors visited similar sites, including Cole’s Cave and St. Nicholas Abbey and they explored food security and sovereignty, environmental stewardship, our shared culture and heritage and took part in 2 exciting service days on 2 farms, during which they rotavated the land, planted trees, painted doors and baked pizza.
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Leah is a wellness coach and consultant and the Founder of Nzuri Holistic Foundation, a charity set up in Barbados to promote holistic wellness, including physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and financial wellbeing for individuals, organisations and communities. Included in its mandate is to provide education, resources and support to enhance overall wellbeing and advocate for the integration of holistic practices into our mainstream healthcare systems. Leah encourages wholesome, plant rich meals, daily movement and the pursuit of balance, peace and joy. She has a background in business, finance and credit risk management and brings strong skills in administration and coordination to the Sankofa Wellness Project.
Cancellation Policy & Insurance
A non-refundable $297 deposit is required at time of registration.
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Any cancellation will result in a total loss of the $297 USD deposit.
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Any cancellation made between August 1st, 2024, and August 31st, 2024, will result in a loss of 50% of the trip price.
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Any cancellation made between September 1st, 2024, and the trip departure will result in a total loss of funds.
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We reserve the right to cancel the trip if it does not meet the trip minimum (if we do so, your deposit will be refunded in full).
Trip cancellation insurance
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Trip cancellation insurance is highly recommended. You can use our suggested Travel Guard insurance online and choose from several policy options.
Still have questions?
Want to book a call with our team?
Send a message below
Frequently Asked Questions
Due to the adventurous nature of the excursions, we prefer children to be ages 12 and up . Safety is our top priority. If you have a younger child who follows directions well and has had experiences similar to what you will encounter on this retreat, contact us so that we can evaluate. All children 12 and up are charged the same rates as adults.
A large portion of this retreat was designed to be a sacred space to facilitate healing in African descendants. Anyone who is mission-aligned and comfortable dealing with these themes is welcome to join this journey. This includes African descendants, non-African descendants, mixed race and multi-cultural individuals and families
Yes! While the itineraries are similar, our summer retreats highlight the Crop Over festival, a six-week cultural celebration that ends with Grand Kadooment Day.
Yes, just let us know as far in advance as possible, but no later than 60 days before the retreat starts. We will do our absolute best to accommodate your dietary needs. We also recommend packing some familiar snacks as it might take time to adjust to the local cuisine.
Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI).
Barbados boasts lower crime rates compared to other Caribbean islands, making it a safe travel destination for families. As with any travel destination, always be aware of your surroundings. Check the state department’s website for more details.
Two things come to mind.
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First, camouflage clothing is strictly prohibited on the island. No camouflage shoes, hats, dresses, pants, etc. If you’re wearing camouflage, you’ll be asked to change (trust me, I learned this the hard way on my first visit!) or you might have to deal with the police. So, just don’t do it.
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Secondly, while Barbados is a welcoming place, open homosexuality is still frowned upon in some areas. Although a law criminalizing same-sex acts was repealed in December 2022, it is important to be mindful and respectful of the local culture.
Barbados is warm and sunny year-round with an average daytime high of 86 degrees F. Occasional rain showers pass quickly. Barbados has not experienced a major storm since the 1950s.