Source: Yourtravelchoice.org
August 18, 2011
Projects in Kenya, Peru, Sri Lanka and Brazil have been announced as the winners of the first Travel2change idea challenge. Since its launch late April 2011, over 500 members joined the travel2change online community, and submitted around 60 innovative project proposals. The submitted ideas were evaluated based on creativity, effectiveness, impact, feasibility and sustainability. The four winning projects were awarded on July 17, 2011 by a jury of experts and will be realized in the coming months, thanks to the support of the travel partner Kuoni. Each winning project receives financial support as well as the help of volunteer travelers, who will collaborate with the local communities to bring the projects to life.
Travel2Change First Challenge Winners
SEP – Soccer, Education and Prevention (Oyugis, Kenya)In Oyugis, Kenya, travel2change, together with the Society Empowerment Project (SEP), hosted a 4-day football event for around 300 children. Along with teaching life skills, teamwork and football skills, the travelers will train the children in proper hand washing techniques and the importance of basic hygiene. The production of soap from locally sourced materials will also be part of the program.
WAVES for Development (Lobitos, Peru)This project aims to create life enriching experiences through education programs to develop healthy and empowered adults. The traveler will join local staff to teach local children water safety, beach management and environmental conservation among other events, and of course, surfing classes. Cultural exchange, through activities to increase healthy living and teaching skills for life, is another great benefit of the program.
Getting Kids Pumped for School (Horana, Sri Lanka)The aim of the project is to connect a local school to its well so the children will have access to running water for drinking and sanitation, which will help improve the children’s health, thus reducing the risk of dengue and other communicable diseases. This will be achieved by installing pumps, water tanks and pipes, as well as expanding the depth of the well. The traveler will contribute to the project by assisting with installing pumps and water tanks.
AmazonArt at the Combu Education Centre (Combu Island, Brazil)AmazonArt aims to employ music and the arts to inspire the children and local community. Its goal is to create awareness and understanding of the importance of protecting the rainforest, river and its local communities. Together with the staff of AmazonArt, travelers will assist with music and art classes and provide English lessons along with a cultural exchange to local children. Travelers will have a chance to improve the infrastructure of the school through basic construction projects and educate the children on the importance of safe drinking water and hygiene.
All travelers will provide frequent updates to give all community members the opportunity to monitor the realization of the projects.
Projects in Kenya, Peru, Sri Lanka and Brazil have been announced as the winners of the first Travel2change idea challenge. Since its launch late April 2011, over 500 members joined the travel2change online community, and submitted around 60 innovative project proposals. The submitted ideas were evaluated based on creativity, effectiveness, impact, feasibility and sustainability. The four winning projects were awarded on July 17, 2011 by a jury of experts and will be realized in the coming months, thanks to the support of the travel partner Kuoni. Each winning project receives financial support as well as the help of volunteer travelers, who will collaborate with the local communities to bring the projects to life.
Travel2Change First Challenge Winners
SEP – Soccer, Education and Prevention (Oyugis, Kenya)In Oyugis, Kenya, travel2change, together with the Society Empowerment Project (SEP), hosted a 4-day football event for around 300 children. Along with teaching life skills, teamwork and football skills, the travelers will train the children in proper hand washing techniques and the importance of basic hygiene. The production of soap from locally sourced materials will also be part of the program.
WAVES for Development (Lobitos, Peru)This project aims to create life enriching experiences through education programs to develop healthy and empowered adults. The traveler will join local staff to teach local children water safety, beach management and environmental conservation among other events, and of course, surfing classes. Cultural exchange, through activities to increase healthy living and teaching skills for life, is another great benefit of the program.
Getting Kids Pumped for School (Horana, Sri Lanka)The aim of the project is to connect a local school to its well so the children will have access to running water for drinking and sanitation, which will help improve the children’s health, thus reducing the risk of dengue and other communicable diseases. This will be achieved by installing pumps, water tanks and pipes, as well as expanding the depth of the well. The traveler will contribute to the project by assisting with installing pumps and water tanks.
AmazonArt at the Combu Education Centre (Combu Island, Brazil)AmazonArt aims to employ music and the arts to inspire the children and local community. Its goal is to create awareness and understanding of the importance of protecting the rainforest, river and its local communities. Together with the staff of AmazonArt, travelers will assist with music and art classes and provide English lessons along with a cultural exchange to local children. Travelers will have a chance to improve the infrastructure of the school through basic construction projects and educate the children on the importance of safe drinking water and hygiene.
All travelers will provide frequent updates to give all community members the opportunity to monitor the realization of the projects.
Are You Ready to Travel2Change?Travel2Change is now offering the chance for you to participate in the Sri Lanka project and the Peru project this fall (September – October). Travelers will be an active part in carrying out the activities to help successfully implement the goals of these projects. To learn more about the Travel2Change Join This Trip Contest and to apply, please go to review the contest details here: http://www.travel2change.org/blog/720
About Travel2ChangeTravel2change is a non-profit organization connecting travelers, local communities and organizations to create change through purposeful travelling. An interactive website is the starting point for this collaborative effort and the hub for ideas as well as the exchange of experiences. Travel2change shall illustrate that tourism can make a difference in the lives of travelers and local communities alike. Leveraging this potential and creating projects that will have an impact and foster sustainable change in destinations is the goal of the organization. While Travel2change is rooted in Austria, the organization acts worldwide and seeks to make an impact globally.
