The BTOR retreat has been a magical, transformative, and reflective positive moment in my healing journey. I always felt an ancestral call to return home [Africa] but never imagined that my first trip would be to Benin. After spending 10 days healing, learning, connecting, and evolving I know exactly why my first trip back home had to be Benin. Carefully curated, each we arose in an opulent house and gathered for group meditation. This was a necessary start to our day. It helped me to center and be present. It also united me feel united to the sisters in our group. We ate traditional breakfast and dinners prepared by a local chef. The food was everything! Oozing with flavor and filled with the love and joy by the delightful sister who prepared them. The conversations that we shared over a fulfilling meal were food for the soul. Each day we explored the culture and traditions of Benin, working to unlearn, learn, and relearn the stigmas of Voodun. The most impactful lesson being that the Voodoo Festival, in many ways, is a call to return home to the diaspora from the people of Benin. Who would have thought that this whole time Benin had been cultivated a space specifically for us. You feel grievance from the complex history of the slave trade in the museums and monuments created in honor of our ancestors. Walking the path of the slave road step by step with a local guide who breaks down the significance and the story behind each stride. I felt overwhelmed with emotions. The days prior had been filled with a serendipitous trip to a village to learn about herbal medicine. I watched the gratitude on each of our faces as we watched the herbalist fly from one plant to the next. Explaining the benefits of every succulent he could while joy radiated from his presence. We had a workshop held by Laurance, who skillfully took us through balancing our chakras through the use of essential oils. An impromptu workshop on Connecting Through Self Through Ancestry by author and one of the sisters participating in the retreat, Anike. We’d experienced the get down as we turnt up in Benin’s nightlife. We paraded in the streets in honor of our ancestors during the Voodoo Fest. There were so many memories being created and bonds being formed between the women on this trip. Too many to mention, but much to be explored for yourself. I urge anyone interested in discovering more about their roots to start your year off right, through this magical retreat. Wilize was the perfect guide. Her love and passion for the diaspora are clear and pure. I felt personally supported and cared for during my retreat which was really a time of healing. I have a tremendous amount of gratitude for Wilize and the women I shared this time with.

My trip with Awura experiences was absolutely life changing. On the BTOR Retreat we participated in a series of workshops and adventures. Starting with learning about history from and about our ancestors in West Africa, engaging in sacred traditions to learning about black health and nutrition. Want to share and highlight the nutrition experience that has been very healing for me in particular. We spent some time with a popular herbalist - healer at her family's healing/ nutrition center in Benin . First off, this was a life long wish that came true. Left with more knowledge and insight on how I would like to continue living my life in the most reasonable homeopathic way possible in a westernized world/culture that relies entirely too much on manufactured food and pills. Prior to this trip, had been having issues with my digestion, IBS, losing weight and diabetes. After this one of many powerful and positive experiences on this amazing trip, was inspired to adjust my diet to one that consisted of less gluten and incorporated various mixtures of herbs that had healing properties for my health issues. Since January, I've lost over 20 pounds , lowered my A1C and have had no ibs or digestive issues. Overall , something minor, like having the opportunity of being able to sit down and have a clear and concise conversation with someone who looks like you, knows common issues that affect people like you and understands your body- DNA and it's functions ; as well as knows your history and details of your lineage definitively is such a undefined experience in its self. In addition to healing physical health issues, this experience has had profound healing affects on my mental health. One take away, was finding true confidence in my blackness, ancestors journey and really understanding my worth and purpose from a new perspective and narrative. Since gaining new clarity, been making more progress within my career endeavors here in the US . Things are seeming to align differently for me. Spending time in Africa with Awura experiences has further helped me be more assertive, clear and focused on getting my needs met . Would recommend Awura to any black woman - WOC searching for new culture filled experiences and looking to achieve a breakthrough in their lives.