As Team Insanire, we love road trips, rallies, and the freedom of traveling by car. However, the Dresden–Dakar–Banjul Rally is different from most adventures we’ve done before—because this time the journey ends with something very concrete: our red Land Rover Discovery will be auctioned in Gambia, and the proceeds will support local development projects.

That’s why we want to introduce the organization behind this “second part” of the rally: the Dresden‑Banjul‑Organisation (DBO). You can find their official website here: dbo-network.org/dbo.

Who is the DBO?

The Dresden‑Banjul‑Organisation (DBO) is a registered NGO in The Gambia (West Africa). According to their own description, the DBO has been officially recognized as an NGO in The Gambia since 14 December 2007 and is registered under the identifier A 119.

In addition, the DBO explains that the registration must be renewed regularly through reporting, and that projects are monitored locally.

What does the DBO do?

The DBO supports educational, medical, and social/community projects in Gambia. At the same time, their declared goal is “help for self‑help”—support that enables longer-term independence rather than short-lived relief.

To keep supporters informed, the DBO also publishes updates about progress and the use of funds via its news and project sections.

Concrete DBO Projects

Two examples illustrate very well how the auction proceeds are turned into practical impact on the ground. First, the Sukuta Health Center is described by the DBO as a medical facility that is not a hospital in the European sense, but a place where nurses provide broad frontline care; only in more difficult cases a doctor is called in or patients are transferred to a hospital. In addition, the Health Center handles common conditions such as flu‑like illnesses and stomach problems, and it also treats malaria cases that are diagnosed in its own laboratory—a crucial detail in a region where early diagnosis matters. According to the DBO, the Sukuta Health Center has been supported for years through the proceeds of the Dresden–Dakar–Banjul Rally.

Secondly, the Interior Academy School in Brusubi reflects the DBO’s long‑term focus on education. The DBO explains that the project started in April 2012 as a nursery school (kindergarten/pre‑school) and has since been expanded step by step, including additional classroom buildings so students can continue into higher grades. As the DBO notes, the school is located opposite their “Blue Kitchen” restaurant, and updates and documentation are provided through their project and news sections. Together, these two projects—healthcare and education—show the range of initiatives that the vehicle auction is designed to support.

How is the DBO funded – and why the rally matters

One of the key funding mechanisms described by the DBO is the economic result of the Dresden–Dakar–Banjul Rally, which takes place twice a year (typically early March and early November).

Most importantly, the DBO explains the core concept that makes this rally unique:
vehicles driven to The Gambia are auctioned shortly after arrival, and both the auction proceeds and donated goods are distributed by the DBO to support their projects.

This is exactly why our Discovery will not return to Europe with us.

The vehicle auction – what happens in Gambia

The rally roadbook describes that, upon arrival in The Gambia, vehicles are handled through an organized process (including re-registration) and are then prepared for the auction.

The DBO also reports about real auction outcomes. For example, in the context of the 37th Charity Rally, the auction took place at the Independence Stadium in Bakau, raised 5,785,000 Dalasi (approx. 74.160 EUR), and that the proceeds were used for the DBO’s charitable projects in The Gambia.

Why this matters to us (Team Insanire)

We’ve always believed that travel is about more than collecting places—it’s about people, encounters, and responsibility. Therefore, the DBO aspect of the rally matters to us just as much as the driving.

In other words: the rally is not only a route from Europe to West Africa. It also creates a way for vehicles (and the resources behind them) to continue doing something meaningful after the finish line—through projects that are organized and implemented locally by the DBO.

The motivation is best summed up in the following statement:

Want to learn more?

If you’d like to explore their work in more detail, the DBO provides updates and project information on their website: dbo-network.org/dbo.