Our guests at Enchanting Travels always want that extra something from their vacations: a unique experience, meaningful interaction with local people, or the opportunity to give back to the communities they are traveling with.
We’ve just tied up with a great non-profit called ‘Pack for a Purpose’ to help our guests to understand how they can use their luggage allowances smartly to benefit local communities.Pack for a Purpose was begun by Rebecca Rothney, an American, after what she terms an “aha” moment whilst on safari in Africa with her husband Scott. She realized that the airline baggage allowance was far greater than what was permitted while on safari. Why not use the extra allowance to benefit local communities?
By tying up with sensitive lodges and hotels around the world and putting them in touch with local children’s groups and non-profits, Pack for a Purpose allows travelers to pack strategically to meet the needs of communities that they are visiting. The luggage is delivered directly to the participating lodge, making things easier for guests who want to help.
The luggage is delivered directly to the participating lodge, making things easier for guests who want to help.Many of our partner hotels and lodges are already enthusiastic partners to Pack For a Purpose. For instance if you’re on safari in Kenya and staying at the Base Camp Masai Mara you might want to pack supplies that benefit the Big Cat Conservation project. At Elephant Pepper Camp, you could stick to their list and take school supplies such as dusters and particular educational charts for children at the local schools. At Lewa Safari Camp and Lewa Wildnerness you would contribute to a local eco project or you could bring in school supplies (check out their very specific lists!).
Similarly in South America and Asia, there are several partnering lodges who work both with Enchanting Travels and Pack for a Purpose. In Peru, at Aqua Expeditions, you would help communities living along the Amazon River. In Nepal, staying at Tiger Mountain Pokhara, you would be bringing in supplies to the Amar Jyoti Gaun Pharka School including compasses and school bags.
Here is our Top Ten list of items you might like to take when you travel! Remember to check if your lodge is a partner to Pack For A Purpose. If so, you will be handed a detailed list of what to bring; the list below is merely indicative.
Pack For A Purpose: What to take when you travel:
1. Soccer balls (check what kind of pitches are in use!)
2. Medical supplies
3. Donations for school books/text books
4. School supplies: crayons etc.
5. Clothing
6. Educational CDs
7. Bath towels and bed linens
8. Wall charts
9. Musical instruments
10. Games
If you’d like to know more about how you can contribute to the development of local communities by packing smartly and sensitively, get in touch with us.
