Finland Makes a Difference After Tsunami Survival
Most people love this country and come back year after year. Eeva is no exception. She has been coming to the island for 14 years and has made great friends. She had just come in from and early morning swim when the Tsunami hit. She wasn’t on the beach for long, because her Sinalhese friend was going to be here soon. But she was hot and went for only a quick dip in the ocean before running up to have a shower. The next minute everything was destroyed.
Cycling is Such a Great Idea – But can Everybody Have a Bike
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.
Giving Back: 12-Weeks of Inspiration
As the time of our travels draws near, we want to reflect on our giving Back Series. The diverse stories that we gatherer over the past couple of months have been inspiring and touching. It is a reminder to us to be more responsible in our travels and to revisit the incredible stories. For those of you who are new to our blog, it gives you the chance to meet some incredible travelers that have given back to thes world while they explore it. We are greatful for everyone’s contributions and we learned a great deal about different ways that one can contribute to the communities that they visit.
Your Own Two Hands
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.
Volunteering Global, a Valuable Resource
Type “volunteer vacation” into a search engine and jot down how many hits you get. Now look at the first page of results and note how much those trips cost. Wait – they cost something? You’re willing to give your time and effort to a community project, but you’re expected to pay? And at $1,000 for a week, they’d better give you backrubs and ice cream, because your airfare isn’t even included.
This is what I encountered four years ago as I looked for a summer project. It was confusing and frustrating; these groups assumed volunteers had disposable income.
Villas Tranquilas: A Vacation Property Gives Back
While the global economic downturn may be affecting private aid in terms of total dollars, some travel/tourism businesses continue to offer partnerships with their clients and the indigenous peoples to the benefit of all. Villas Tranquilas, a Costa Rica Vacation Rental Property is one such company that offers adventure travelers several opportunities to practice these new brands of tourism.
Make a Difference with The Global Volunteer Network
I love my job, and I feel so lucky to be able to say that. There’s no doubt, it’s a fantastic personal experience to take part in a volunteer program abroad, and through my work I feel even more privileged to be involved in and stay connected to our partner projects and volunteers each and every day.
Giving Back, Teaching Monks in Nepal
There’s one question that crops up with seemingly every new person I meet along my travels: What’s my favorite country? The simple answer, Nepal. Though there are several countries that have touched me, really it’s the people along the way who have impacted me the most; they have shared with me moments, view points and perspective and altered my perceptions of the world.
Giving Back: ARCAS, Guatemala – A One in an Only!
Every move we make in our lives is based on a decision. That decision can be of minor importance, or like in my case the one that changes the path of my life forever. When I hopped on a bus to take me from Belize to Tikal, Guatemala I had no idea what was awaiting me!
Giving Back, Support Local Art and Help Communities Thrive
Ngwenya Glass is a great example of how one can help people in poor countries learn a new skill and contribute to poverty alleviation whilst embedding in them a greater awareness of the environment. I’ve visited many eco community projects around the world but the Ngwenya Glass story is one that I found particularly inspiring, probably because I’m a big fan of projects that stimulate and promote local arts and crafts. I have yet to make the trip to the factory in Swaziland though it remains at the top of my list of things to do on my next trip to South Africa. I can’t wait!
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Posts
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- What’s With All the Hatin’ in Travel Blogging? on October 29, 2011 by debndave - 127 Comments
- So You Want to Be a Pro Blogger in The Travel Business on November 14, 2011 by debndave - 126 Comments
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