Make your travels meaningful - Pack for a Purpose

in travel •  7 years ago  (edited)

Have a big impact in the communities you visit. Simply use a small amount of space in your luggage to pack supplies needed by community projects around the world.

A blessed moment in Nicaragua - Medical supplies and well repair

One time when we were traveling in the Dominican Republic we were on an excursion with other couples. When we visited a school in a very impoverished area, this couple pulled out a backpack full of school supplies and started handing them out. We were able to help handout supplies and be a part of the sharing. We were also a bit embarrassed that we hadn't thought of it ourselves. Ever since that day whenever we travel we always take supplies to a group that needs them in an area we are visiting.
And, it's surprisingly easy. All you need is to save some space in your suitcase, or if you travel light like we try to do, you could take an entire suitcase full of supplies. The best part is that you can enlist help from your own friends to gather the supplies and allow them to join in on the giving with you.

All you need to do is:

Visit their website, https://www.packforapurpose.org/

Then select your destination....

You will then be presented with list of accommodations and tour companies who are working with Pack for a Purpose. Select one that you are either using or that is close to where you will be.

Next you will see all the details for the project supported by that hotel, tour operator, or etc.

You will be given information on the location to deliver your supplies / donation and how to pack. Now you have everything you need in order to bring meaningful impact to the place you are visiting.

Your involvement can be as much or as little as you like. You can be involved in working with the group, meeting them and handing out supplies, or you can just drop off your supplies at a drop-off location and be on your way quickly.


Here's some pics from times we were lucky enough to work with groups or deliver supplies while traveling.


Vietnam2011 141.jpgProviding toiletries in Vietnam

School supplies in Nicaragua

DSC02683.JPGToys at an orphanage in Africa

20151122_122723.jpgVet supplies to a group in Guatemala providing free shots and fixes

DSC00850.JPGToys and school supplies to an orphanage in Ecuador

Vietnam2011 134.jpgSchool supplies in Vietnam

DSC02119.JPGSchool supplies in Africa

DSC03599.JPGSome manual labor at a children's camp in Greece


One thing is for certain, we always get much more from these adventures than what we bring.


All the pictures here are my own original work. #steemitusa #homesteadersonline

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These are great projects to be part of! Thank you for sharing.

Thank you, and thanks for the resteem!

most welcome

Very nice great to see people helping each other. We have not been on vacation in a number of years but the last couple of times we brought empty soccer balls we used a small hand pump fill them there. Make nice gifts to give to the kids and maids that cleaned our rooms for us. They were very happy with the soccer balls and one ball gave a lot of kids a chance to play and have fun. Something so small for us can mean so much more to others.

So true. Soccer balls are a great gift, especially since it's the number one sport everywhere in the world but the U.S. Great idea.

Well done! Thanks for sharing this. It looks like your travels became all the more meaningful by doing all these community work.

Thank you. Indeed, we really enjoy it so much that in reality it is as much for us as those we visit. Would love to visit the Philippines some day!

Will be pleased to host you. Keep in touch and let me know when you finally decide to come this side of the world. Maybe you'd even get to join us in a community work event or a meet up with other Steemians in PH.

It would be incredible to spend time with a local while there and really understand the culture. Thanks for the offer!

This is great

Thanks!

Great job.

WOW. Is this you in all these places?

Yes, my wife and I. But, that's over the last 10 years.

Amazing. What a catalogue of aid work!

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

Thank you for saying that. However, I would want to be clear that those were all vacations for us in which we just took some time to serve while there. It's very easy and something everyone could get involved in with no experience. We took much more from the experience than those we we're supporting I'm sure. Thanks.

WOW! Well put dear @qberry.

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