Travel with Purpose

Hear from Susan Fenske, the President of Rotary, Ambergris Caye, Belize. This Rotary Club supports many community initiatives, including a variety of school projects. They are supporting an initiative for a new community center, as well as school literacy projects. Join a Rotary meeting while you’re on the island and discover ways you can support them, donating  children’s books, and volunteering....

Listen to Abby, a 17 year old share how volunteering to support kids with their English skills was a highlight of her family trip to Cuba. Hear how the Cuban community impacted her, as she realized how connected people are. She also reflects on the beauty she experienced through cultural excursions.

Hear from Julie, a physician from Florida, who took her family on a “Travel with Purpose” trip to Cuba. She highlights the perspectives she gained on the basics, like having electrical power! Hear how her family enjoyed a Cuban cooking class; a ‘finca’/farm visit; and gained perspectives from volunteering with English, impressed by their English levels. As a mom, she loved the opportunity to parti...

Now it’s time to hear from Lexi (the daughter of Elizabeth, who was last week’s interviewee). Currently a university student, Lexi has been very involved with the refugee community in Jacksonville, FL during her high school years. Now she shares her perspective of working with foster children at Hope Haven Belize. As part of a family vacation, Lexi shares the impact of engaging in the communities...

Hear from Elizabeth , a Belize & Cuba volunteer, share her experience volunteering with Hope Haven Children’s Home on Ambergris Caye, Belize. Listen to the unforgettable impact of spending time sharing stories, reading, and STEM activities with the foster children. She highly recommends this experience for all ages of  volunteers. She was so inspired that when she returned to Florida, she chal...

Camila Cooper is the Founder and Executive Director of la Fundación Fruto Bendito , a non-profit organization working to support and protect early childhood. The foundation offers cribs and supplies for newborns, as well as workshops for new mothers.  They believe that everyone, regardless of their life circumstances, deserves to be educated with love and opportunities. Participate with donations...

Greg Meletta, the Founder of SWAP - Surfing with a Purpose, came to volunteer for 2 weeks with Amigos Del Mar. The SWAP Foundation provided surfing, skating, art, and English workshops, as well as donated top-of-the-line surfing and skateboarding supplies to children participating with Amigos del Mar.  Learn ways people partner to make a difference in the world and how you can participate - bring...

Lila Lopez, the Founder and Director and Sara Medina, Communications Director of Fundación Julie. They share the foundation aims of lifting up the quality of life of teenage girls in vulnerable situations. They offer a holistic program of leadership development and academic support, to prevent teenage pregnancy and empower girls through educational workshops. Volunteers can support girls with thei...

Lavinia Fiori is the Director of Mejor Planeta = A Better Planet . Based on the Rosario Islands, off of Cartagena, this foundation is dedicated to education for sustainable development.  It is inspired with the principles of learning by doing, to make and live the difference you want to see in the world. Stay at their Eco-friendly hostel: El Hamaquero ( https://elhamaquero.com ….) to experience th...

Based in Bogota, Natalia Jimenez, started as a volunteer 8 years ago, and is now the Director of the Somos CaPAZes = we are capable of making peace.  Somos Capazes works in marginalized communities to educate youth with conflict management and resolution skills. They use experiential methods, recreational activities and reflection, to bring about peace in their environment and develop future leade...

Traveling to Roatan for her husband to get a divemaster certification, Ashley discovered PIER, Partners in Education, Roatan. She volunteered with English and bilingual literacy programs. Hear how she connected at a deep level with the community. https://www.pierroatan.org

Timna Varela, the Executive Director of  PIER, Partners in Education Roatan,  shares aspiring ways to bring quality education to the youth of the island.  They offer reading and afterschool programs for youth as well as professional development for teachers.  While visiting Roatan, volunteer for an hour to support educational needs. Dive into the local culture while enjoying marvels of the underwa...

Following up on last week’s interview, you can hear ways to Support Utila (an island off the coast of Honduras) through medical donations. Bring over-the-counter medical supplies in your suitcase or donate online through Amazon and they’ll take care of the rest! Visit a clinic while you’re there and see how easily your donation can make a substantial impact! @vagabondartist on TikTok; https://supp...

Join us to hear how Heath Miller, Founded Support Utila https://supportutila.org , a nonprofit assisting a small island off the coast of Honduras. Heath had planned to move to Utila to take over the family resort: Coral View Beach Resort https://coralviewutila.com , but he had to pivot when the island shut down during the 2020 pandemic. While waiting, he started Support Utila , knowing some of the...

Jenny Linares Founder & Director - works with Fundación Lideres Monarca / Monarch Leaders Foundation , a non-profit organization seeking to transform the lives of children and young people in vulnerable conditions. Established in 2020 this nonprofit develops and applies pedagogies seeking to transform the lives of children and young people who are in vulnerable conditions.  Volunteer your tale...

Lala Lovera is the Executive Director of Comparte( por una Vida Colombia), a non-profit organization that contributes to the stabilization of mixed migratory flows and host communities. Their comprehensive model focuses on education, human rights, welfare, inclusion and social integration of Venezuelans in Colombia.

As a follow up to last year’s interview (*S2 E4), Ariana shares with us the growth of their preschool: A Brighter Tomorrow . Hear how the support of Rotary and others has enabled them to restore the preschool playground and increase their enrollment to 29 students. They are now envisioning a primary school. Donations of educational supplies are very welcome. Come for a visit and consider sponsorin...

https://www.peacework.org Listen to the Founder, Steve Darr, share the fascinating history of Peacework, a nonprofit organization working globally. Peacework started in 1989 with a belief in the power of collaboration to build a better world.  Join us to hear the inspiring history of this organization and its global impact.  Steve differentiates ways in which they come alongside communities in dev...

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https://www.reefrenewalbonaire.org/about-us/who-we-are/ Our mission is to help protect, replenish, and restore the biodiverse coral reefs of Bonaire. We focus on implementing innovative, science-based programs that expand and strengthen populations of keystone coral reef species. We do this so that the reefs of Bonaire can gain the necessary scale, genetic diversity, and resilience to thrive today...

Robert Graffam, a Board member with Caring for Colombia, shares his experiences supporting numerous Colombian foundations. Caring for Colombia is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that creates connections and mobilizes resources between donors and the needs of the foundations. They empower vulnerable communities through  providing health and educational services. Additionally, they invest in lea...

Hear from 3 Volunteers- 1 from Switzerland, 2 from Germany Want to live on an island and make a difference? Hear from volunteers from Europe describe the impact on . Amigos del Mar https://amigosdelmar.org/

Here how Pedro was touched by the realities of life in Tierra Bomba, such that he felt driven to make a difference. Seeing the challenges lives of the children motivated him to found Amigos del Mar, providing before and after school programs  -  English, art, surf classes, motivating them to stay in school They also have a great recycling program, where community members collect plastic caps, conv...