Four months before I turned 31, I was thinking of something different to do on my birthday.The mere mention of “indigenous tribe” was so appealing I organized a team of 22 individuals for this adventure to the Philippines.
It was at the last Toronto Travel Massive meet up that Katy of Intrepid Travel announced an amazing initiative for the Intrepid Foundation. They will be giving away a trip to India to the person who raises the most money for Depalaya
One volunteer and intrepid traveler is taking part in the GVN Foundation’s Cycling Challenge in Vietnam. Biking over 500km to raise funds for orphans, medical care and salaries for physical therapists who work with the severely disabled children.
We were drawn to Rawai Muay Thai in Phuket because they give back to the community. The owner is an ex boxer and true success story. What sets Rawai Muay Thai apart from other gyms is that it is owned and operated by a Thai Boxer that employs Thai Boxers and trainers.
Have you ever met an honest Tuk Tuk Driver? We did, and we never let him go. His name is Ajith and we lucked out on our first day back to Hikkaduwa. What is so special about this meeting? We have since gone to two charities with Ajith, had dinner at his house and watched him donate shoes to a school from money that he has raised with his friends from Italy. We talk to him everyday on the telephone.
When Mariellen sent us her story about volunteering as an art therapist in Dharamsala we were eager to include her in our Giving Back Series. Although it is a copy of what she has on her site, she wanted us to share the story as it is written from the heart and impossible to write any other way. It is beautiful and we are happy to get word out and to raise more awareness for great projects like Art Refuge.
Cycling is such a great utilitarian activity many of us take it for granted. And there are people that have one or two bicycles for each different kind of activity. Many of us are so fortunate, living in an affluent society like Europe or North America, to find so many bicycle stores and other suppliers of bicycles in every neighbourhood. Yet we fail to realize how lucky we are. Many of us simply don’t know how hard it can be for a person living in most parts of the third world to have access to a simple two wheeler. People who earn about one-tenth of our hourly wages in a whole week will have to pay the same price as we do to buy the same bike in their places. It is simply not fair.
wasn’t born in Bangladesh. I was born in a developed country as a member of the racial majority. I’ve had amazing parents and friends who have always supported me. I’ve received educations among the best in the world – both practical and academic [not that I exhibit it
]. I have the opportunity to travel! And I’ve realized at a young age that happiness stems from being a good person, not making stacks of money. I humbly say all of this, but I say it to point out a basic assumption – that I’m one of the luckiest people in the world.
Today’s post comes from activist Tendai Sean Joe founder of the Trail of Hope Foundation. In the coming months, Tendai is planning a motorcycle tour Starting in South Africa and ending in Europe where he will be raising awareness about the plight of children around the world. Last year, Dave and I cycled from Cairo to Cape Town where we rode for Plan Canada; another charity that focuses on helping children live a better life. We are happy to be able to help spread the word about this enormous undertaking and to let people know about the great work that is being done by an inspiring human being.
I am a strong believer that travel can be done better, as can anything else, if we come up with new and creative solutions to the negative impacts that come as a side product of the actions that we take. I think tourism can and has been a negative force in many areas and I feel the same way about Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) yet I have my feet in both of these worlds.
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