Why?

We have learned that if tourism is to be truly sustainable and beneficial for indigenous peoples, it is important for to give back to the communities we work with in a way that goes beyond basic cash payments. Many economically and socially vulnerable communities lack access to the resources, education or experience to help them make positive, long-term changes to their situation and cash payments alone are simply not enough.

We are living through uncertain times and the pandemic showed us all that the tourism market, although resilient, is also volatile. Our community partners need the additional buffers that come from projects, big and small, which the tourism industry can help to finance.

Through these environmentally responsible, community-based projects, in keeping with or directly using traditional knowledge and skills, we are able to help create long lasting benefits for the people we work with.

Aims

• To provide our indigenous partners with alternative sources of income.

• Improve access to essential natural resources where they are lacking (e.g. water).

• Support improved access to broader forms of health care and education.

• Women's empowerment.

• Preserve Indigenous Knowledge.

• Promote conservation.

• Enhance ecotourism.

Evidence has shown that one of the best ways to ensure the family unit as a whole benefits is to centre women at the heart of grass-roots projects, since in many communities women still do not share the same social or economic status as men. By centring our projects around women, through their gradual, increasing empowerment and continuing support, communities as a whole stand the best chance of flourishing.

How?

We are strong advocates of bottom-up grass roots organising as opposed to top down planning and fund distribution and are not afraid to start off small but aim big!

However we believe it is vital to work with other partners, affiliates or individuals in a coordinated effort, whether they be organisations, community members, other companies, students, educators or researchers in order to get new projects off the ground, make them successful and keep them that way! In our view the more we can work together whether it be through giving donations, expertise or advice, the more likely we are to create successful, sustainable projects that will help local communities for generations to come.

Some of the greatest help and support comes directly from the groups who visit the local communities where we work. They often leave with an indelible mark and strong desire to help in whatever way they can after being fundamentally moved by their experience.

If you, either as an individual, or part of an organisation, institution or indigenous group elsewhere in the world are interested in the communities, projects and work that we do please contact us directly. We would love to hear from you!