History & Methodology

In 2013, the idea for JRNY/ElRehla was born out of a realization that personal connections are the foundation of building communities. We wanted to create an experience that allowed people to connect on a deeper level, fostering networking and collaboration. By escaping the city and traveling together, we believed individuals could reconnect with themselves, recharge, and become more open to listening, sharing, and learning.

Originally a side project between ElMashrou3's reality TV show and MQR's coworking space for Egyptian entrepreneurs, JRNY/ElRehla became an independent organization in 2016. With over 15 years of experience facilitating retreats, our founding team has built a track record of creating effective networking platforms.
And our aspiration, similar to what TED did with building a viral format around 'ideas worth spreading’, is to do the same with 'communities worth connecting’.

Through the collective insights of our alumni, we have developed a fusion of customized methodologies reflected in the three dimensions of Mind, Body, and Soul as ways for people to peel back the layers between them. The MENTAL component focuses on deeply connective conversations and peer-to-peer learning. The PHYSICAL activities include various wellness activities that involve movement and sports, while the EMOTIONAL component is a mix of Self-reflection, empathy building, fun, and artistic expression. This variety in the program created an authentic atmosphere with everybody contributing and sharing stories and space.

THE STORY OF DOTS
Mid-way into our journey we realized we wanted to be able to reach more people than just the retreat attendees so we launched DOTS Planner (www.dots.design). It is a productized version of the wellness component in our retreats where it serves not only as a planner but also as a personal coach and toolkit to empower a more focused, healthy, and well-balanced individual.