Sustainable Projects
Our style of travel has led to the creation of a number of giving back efforts around the world. Here are three strong examples of sustainable and culturally sensitive philanthropy programs with which we are directly involved:
The Patacancha Project
PATACANCHA, PERU—For 10 years, we have supported the small Andean community of Patacancha, Peru along with our guides and our guests. The primary project was to construct an elementary school dormitory for the children. The project has raised over $13,000 to date and continues to grow. The school children of Patacancha now enjoy a two-story, five-room dormitory with facilities for 20 students. Complete with a kitchen and electricity, it serves as a Community Center as well.
In 2008, we were surprised when we received a package from the school children of Patacancha. Each child had drawn a picture of their village and school as a ‘thank you’ for this initiative. We proudly have several hanging on our office walls, and they were the inspiration for our 2008 holiday greeting card. The story of Patacancha is encouraging—read more about it.
We are proud of this grass-roots project, and enthused that it is included on the Travelers’ Philanthropy website—providing a portal for guests to donate.
“What we left with was not only the spiritual beauty of Machu Picchu but also a better understanding of Peru and its wonderful people. This trip took us up into the Andes Mountains to visit a school—incredible! It left such an impression on me that I donated money to the Patacancha Dormitory Project in my children's names and gave it to them for Christmas this year. Now, my girls want to travel there and see the school and its people. It is such a privilege to be able to travel, giving back, leaving something positive to these children and their families that opened their homes and lives to us. I love that CW has this available to its clients. I hope to be able to contribute in more ways in the coming years.”
-S. Strang, California
Nepal Good Farming
DAHARAMPANI, NEPAL — Nestled in the forested hills above the Seti River, the small community of Daharampani has welcomed our guests for over 13 years. In December 2008, CW initiated a giving back program, called the “Good Farming Project.”
Much like the inspiration for the Patacancha Project in Peru, our guests were moved to give back to the villagers of this small community. Working with the local “Mother’s Group” (the women of the village who oversee all community projects) and our Nepalese guides, we identified a sustainable project which supports their agricultural heritage. Since the village, located in the Tanuhan district of Nepal, is quite remote and only accessible by a steep, 1.5 mile path from the river, it does not benefit from mainstream tourism. Set on a beautiful mountain top, the village enjoys views over the entire valley and the Seti River. While the lifestyle is quite simple, there is a strong focus on education (the village boasts both a primary and high school) and a strong community spirit. With approximately 300 residents, the community’s main income is derived from farming. The residents sell crops at local markets located three and six hours distance. Since many of the men of the village work in nearby cities, the majority of the farm work is done by the women and children.
“Good Farming Project” funds are used to purchase and raise goats for the village; the villagers breed and raise the goats for milk, meat, and hides. Additionally, the funds are used to purchase fencing materials, feed, vaccinations, and animal husbandry training for the “Mother’s Group.” Families in need (families with one parent, an ill parent, or a disabled child) were the first recipients of the goats. The families are expected to breed the goats and “pay back” a goat to the “Good Farming Project”, thus maintaining the program’s sustainability. The project is closely monitored by our local guides and our guests who visit during our Nepal tour.