Blogs - Giving back to the Community - Community Forum

Luxury Travel Blogs

Giving back to the Community
4 Comments

, 09-15-2007 at 03:43 AM (36211 Views)

We love to travel and love to learn more from many different cultures. I always appreciate ideas in order to better improve my giving back to the community. These are some things we have done:

1. Contact the property you are staying at and seeing if there is anything missing in their community. (For example, some have schools that could use books.) Some communities might be having a drive to raise funds for their improvement and are seeking donations in the form of giveaways.

2. School supplies such as pencils, paper, flash cards, etc. We love doing this in Nicaragua. The schools are pretty bare bone. The local property there will tell you what is missing.

3. Buy from a local person. Definitely ask at your property who might be a local artisan, etc. Try to support the community by supporting the local artisans.

4. Try the local food. Yes, take a little risk if you are up to it and purchase food right from the street vendors in order to get a more authentic tasting experience.

These are some ideas. Would love to know what else people are doing?

Tags: None

Categories: VIP Blog

Email Blog Entry

Comments

claassenam - 09-18-2007 05:10 PM
Thanks for this, Bonniejoy. It's always important to think of those around you, I've often wondered what to do when staying at a nice hotel and walking outside to encounter sheer poverty. You seem to have covered the really great ways to help, there are definitely some ways that you end up not helping at all even when trying to help!

I've been reading more and more about voluntourism, which seems to be a hot area of travel right now. It would be great to hear more about that from anyone who has experienced that kind of travel.
claassenam - 09-18-2007 05:14 PM
I forgot to mention when in Cambodia recently my husband and I spent a few hours one afternoon sponsoring a lunch for some local schoolchildren. It was all handled by the most wonderful local tourguide, we did so little except give her some money to arrange it. In fact, Cruisinred gave me her name and suggested we contact her. What impressed me the most (besides her determination to make life better for the local kids) was that she had two young American high-school boys staying with her for two weeks to teach English at the school. That took a lot of courage for them (and for their parents for letting them go!) - very inspiring. If anyone is interested in learning more about the guide, Ponheary, you can read about her at her foundation's web site, www.theplf.org
two2go - 09-19-2007 07:24 AM
Hats off to all three (bonniejoy3, claassenam & cruisinred) for being such an inspiration. You have opened my eyes to something I never really thought of doing while on vacation. Many times we do witness poverty, feel sorry, then get back on the plane home...and forget. We should all try to do our share for less fortunate people. A little kindness can change someones life in a very positive way.
curtiejoe - 12-13-2007 01:34 PM
Hi bonniejoy

I commend you for your thoughtful blog and the very helpful things you've done for the local people in the places you've visited. My wife and I have also tried to do our best in similar ways. On all four of our trips to Cuba, we have packed bagfuls of medicines, like Polysporin and Aspirin, cartons of toothpaste and other personal health products, as well as educational supplies for local children. These have always been very welcommed by the Cuban people we;ve met on our walks through towns we've visited. Unfortunately, the need is great and our efforts but a drop in the bucket. Hopefully, other travellers will also help out.

Curt