{"id":5068,"date":"2018-04-16T14:42:47","date_gmt":"2018-04-16T14:42:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/?p=5068"},"modified":"2019-07-28T20:22:01","modified_gmt":"2019-07-28T20:22:01","slug":"demystifying-philanthropic-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/demystifying-philanthropic-travel\/","title":{"rendered":"Demystifying Philanthropic Travel"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p5\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>by GoPhil Co-Founder, <strong>Lydia Dean, <\/strong>Author of<\/i><\/span><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/who-we-are\/jumping-the-picket-fence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Jumping the Picket Fence:<\/strong> <em>A Woman&#8217;s Journey from the Suburbs to the Slums<\/em><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\" style=\"color: #993366;\">&#8220;I would like to do more on my next trip. I want to do something that matters. <strong>I want to give back.<\/strong>&#8220;<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">This is a common sentiment capturing an ever-expanding trend for meaningful travel. Typically, the next thought that comes to mind is to look for a volunteer vacation, which may include building a school or helping to teach English in a developing country. In response to the mounting demand for more purposeful travel experiences, thousands of volunteering agencies have sprouted in the past two decades, contributing to what is now a multi-billion dollar \u2018voluntourism\u2019 industry.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Philanthropic travel is the lesser known, lesser understood version of a give-back holiday. This type of travel, often confused with a volunteer vacation, also combines exploring the world and \u2018doing something good.\u2019 GoPhilanthropic Travel has over a decade of experience in this very special space and we thought it would be helpful to remove some of the mysticism around the term and share what it means to us. We also hope to highlight that having a desire to give and travel can come from a very beautiful and very sincere place, but is not something to enter into lightly. Despite what may look dead simple (give where there is need), our intention to offer our resources while we explore the world requires careful planning, ample thought and cautious execution.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Q2PxydQgTAQ\" width=\"1000\" height=\"561\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong><span class=\"s1\">Philanthropic Travel: <em>What Is It?<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">We would love to offer one definition, yet the reality is that there are as many interpretations as there are companies offering it.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"s1\">Our definition of philanthropic travel is: <strong>a journey that offers an opportunity for travelers to engage with, learn from and be a partner to\u00a0people and programs committed to positive change in their communities.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">These visits allow us to consider the context and challenges involved in \u2018development work\u2019 and then make informed philanthropic decisions. In simpler terms, we invite people to the doorsteps of inspiring change-makers and organizations who are courageously responding to some of the world\u2019s greatest problems. They are fighting gender discrimination, child labor, human trafficking and a desperate lack of access to basic healthcare and education. Our form of philanthropic travel involves sitting down and being in the moment with these amazing human beings\u2014 to feel their positive energy and to learn about their approaches. The resulting philanthropy, which can come in many forms, flows organically from this.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-5075 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog2-958x719.jpg 958w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog2.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><em>A mother and daughter travel with GoPhilanthropic Travel to Southeast Asia where they learn about the critical need for educating girls in impoverished rural communities.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">GoPhilanthropic was born from an enlightening yet disturbing volunteer trip I took to India \u2014 a trip that begged more questions than it answered. Donated items disappeared to a back room, our volunteering \u2018fees\u2019 were pocketed by the travel company organizing the trip, and the children we \u2018served\u2019 received disorganized, ill-prepared English lessons from a jet-lagged group of foreigners who hadn\u2019t a clue where they were or what to do.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">GoPhil was designed to be the antithesis of this. When we started running philanthropic trips in 2007, we began with a very basic goal &#8211; create trips that connected travelers with small grassroots programs so they could learn about their work and support them directly. We hoped to offer an alternative form of do-good travel much different from voluntourism &#8211; one that ensured funding made a clear impact and went to where it was supposed to go, where the people and programs visited truly benefited from the exchange and where a visitor came away more knowledgeable about solutions being applied to important world issues. There would be no buffer between a traveler who wanted to contribute and an organization that was helping people in need. We would facilitate direct person-to-person connection. End of story.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">While these seemed like rather simple objectives, we quickly discovered that delivering this would be much more complex than we ever had imagined.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">After many years facilitating philanthropic tours across SE Asia, India, Africa and Central America, we have learned some incredibly significant lessons &#8211; from the most euphoric to the most humbling, to shocking realizations of how uninformed giving (both from philanthropic and volunteer travel) can encourage horrific unforeseen abuses to human rights while we bask in the glow of our altruistic getaways.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span class=\"s1\">You can <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">learn more<\/span> in our recent blogpost,<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><a style=\"color: #993366;\" href=\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/funding-orphanages-helping-hurting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"s2\">Funding Orphanages: Is it helping or hurting?<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Some experiences from our earlier, less experienced days, we wish we could completely redo \u2014 erase from the travel log, pretend they never happened. They normally involved handing \u2018things\u2019 out onsite \u2014 placing unnecessary focus on the exchange of something material, be it a water well, a classroom, a pair of shoes. What inherently hovers in the air during these situations, whether intended or not, is an expectation of gratitude. We now know that <i>good<\/i> philanthropic travel, goes well beyond any financial contribution or need for recognition. We now know that despite the best of intentions, we can actually do a great deal of harm when we inject money and influence in a delicate ecosystem that involves regional complexities we couldn\u2019t understand looking from the outside in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The following are some of GoPhil\u2019s most significant philanthropic travel learnings \u2014 those that we hope will help amplify the possibilities for more global care, goodwill, and collaboration in a world that needs much more of it, while also avoiding the dangers not so commonly understood when one sets out to give back while exploring this beautiful planet and its people.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"664\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5079\" src=\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog3.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog3-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog3-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog3-958x636.jpg 958w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog3.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><strong><span class=\"s1\" style=\"color: #993366;\">How Can You Ensure You Are Connecting With The Right Programs?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span class=\"s1\"><i>Identification takes time and experience.<\/i><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">In order to properly navigate and identify honest, transparent and effective programs within the sea of NGOs in any given region, you have to be willing to commit <i>a lot<\/i> of time identifying who to assist. In some areas of the world, such as Siem Reap, Cambodia, Kathmandu, Nepal, or Antigua, Guatemala, there are hundreds of NGOs working in a small radius reportedly meeting the needs of communities lacking health and educational resources.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Unfortunately, some of these programs are not as forthright as one might want to believe. They can be managed by corrupt people or organizations accustomed to visits from foreigners \u2014 and hoping for funds, conduct a well-rehearsed song and dance to solicit donations. The layperson rarely has the ability to see through this charade.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Logically, most travel companies are forced to focus more on profit to stay competitive \u2014 the lengthy process of identifying and then building trusted relationships with NGOs is simply too time consuming to make sense. We know this first-hand because GoPhil initially started out as a travel company that offered philanthropic experiences. We thought finding \u2018great people doing great things\u2019 would be easy and that weaving visits into itineraries would be even easier. <strong>Once we figured out that identifying authentic programs required an immense amount of research and relationship building (not to mention monitoring of funding afterwards), we made an early decision to put GoPhil Travel aside for many years to develop GoPhilanthropic Foundation, a 501c3 grant-making organization devoted to creating the proper processes and systems needed to achieve this.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">In the early days our core team worked full-time on a volunteer basis and paid for all of our own travel expenses to make this happen. Why? Because we were passionate about facilitating meaningful philanthropic relationships. Finding the right people and programs was a non-negotiable essential. It still is. <strong>Now, by the time we are guiding a traveler to an NGO, we have typically spent anywhere from twelve to eighteen months working alongside that program to ensure that funding will have a positive impact long-term.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"614\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5082\" src=\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog4.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog4-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog4-768x472.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog4-958x588.jpg 958w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog4.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"s1\" style=\"color: #993366;\"><i>GoPhil Regional Development Manager, Emily Bild, working alongside partner program SMS Center who cares for children of women trafficked into the red light district of New Delh<\/i>i.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><strong><span class=\"s1\" style=\"color: #993366;\">Philanthropic Travel is Not About \u2018<em>Doing For<\/em>\u2019<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Our values are deeply rooted in the belief that people are at their best when they are realizing their own potential, when they are doing for themselves and where they can feel the joy and dignity that comes from their own accomplishments. As a result, our journeys do not involve \u2018doing for\u2019 anyone.<\/span><\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\" style=\"color: #993366;\">Our philanthropic relationships are about <strong>discovering, respecting and helping to expand the work that is already present and underway.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">When we partner with an NGO, it is because they have found an innovative way to combat or prevent a certain problem or issue. We help programs scale their projects and ideas through an investment of funding, capacity building and in cross-learning\/networking so resources can be leveraged. We have found a particular niche in being helpful during incubation stages where tools and seed money are critical in putting wind in the sails. Our belief is that this type of investment encourages more sustainable, longer-term growth at the local level where it matters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">This isn\u2019t to say that helping others by volunteering our time is not beneficial \u2014 of course it is. Many of us at GoPhil are volunteers ourselves. The tricky part is when we venture to another country for a short period of time, where we don\u2019t know the language, culture or have a grasp on the realities of the economics, political, social or environmental factors that could be driving everyday life challenges. <b>Philanthropic travel involves gaining an understanding of these elements before inserting any help, financial or otherwise.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">*<b>N<i>ote: <\/i><\/b><i>If you know for sure that volunteering is the experience you are looking for, we encourage you to connect with an organization that matches placements with needed skill sets, conducts background checks &#8211; one that doesn\u2019t involve placements in orphanages or charges big fees for your stay, and preferably a volunteer experience that handles long- term (3 months or more) commitments required to really make a significant impact. A great place to start is <\/i><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><a style=\"color: #993366;\" href=\"http:\/\/learningservice.info\"><span class=\"s3\">learningservice.info<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"567\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5083\" src=\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog5.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog5-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog5-768x435.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog5-958x543.jpg 958w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog5.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"s1\" style=\"color: #993366;\"><i>During our Journey to Guatemala, Julio from ASSADE explains the difficulty in providing adequate healthcare to marginalized Mayan villages.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><strong><span class=\"s1\" style=\"color: #993366;\">The \u2018Giving\u2019 Component \u2014 <em>Our Priorities Or Theirs?<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">A few years ago we were so excited to learn how one inspired traveler wanted to help a partner program in Kenya. He had a particular affinity for technology and wanted to offer $20,000 to create a computer lab equipped with up-to-date desktops and all of the trimmings. He was very motivated about the prospect of adding the much needed IT element to a rural school that rescued girls from FGM and early marriage. But there was just one problem&#8211; the school didn\u2019t have electricity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\" style=\"color: #993366;\">Looking outside in with our foreign eyes, what we think an organization might need, might be very far from their priorities. Often referred to as \u2018donor-driven\u2019 philanthropy, we have to be very careful with our assumptions about what we think is lacking.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><iframe src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SsW2zx0DB84\" width=\"1000\" height=\"561\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">How do we help? What can we do to make a difference? These questions get to the very source of our desire to go and to give in the first place. The answer to these questions though lies in a thorough understanding of an organization itself, how it functions internally and a holistic perspective of its unique needs for the future.\u00a0 And what we mean by &#8220;unique&#8221; needs has to do with their own visions, desires and hopes for their work.\u00a0 How could we possibly appreciate the nuances of what this might be from a 2 hour visit.\u00a0 The most pressing needs are at times not the most obvious physical ones \u2014 like food, classrooms, computers, and books, but instead less tangible yet critical things like skill development and training workshops.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">GoPhil Travel has the luxury of working in sync with GoPhilanthropic Foundation whose staff communicates regularly with partner programs to get a realistic understanding of the elements at play that affect these priorities. We then communicate these needs to our travelers who in turn have the opportunity to become partners in a carefully developed granting process. Funding is then monitored and evaluated and reports are shared with our donors so they receive a transparent view of the impact of their contributions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"555\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5086\" src=\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog6-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog6-1-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog6-1-768x426.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog6-1-958x532.jpg 958w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog6-1.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><em><span class=\"s1\">GoPhil Co-Founder, Tracey Morrell, working on the basics of budgeting with many of GoPhil\u2019s smaller partner programs in their early stages of development.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Many first time travelers and donors deepen their relationships with a particular program even<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>further by providing subsequent funding and by taking the opportunity to visit regularly. Eventually, the person-to-person connection that we dreamed of at the beginning was successfully realized, but the building blocks needed to be put in place first for this to happen. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p7\"><strong><span class=\"s1\" style=\"color: #993366;\">Onsite Engagement \u2014 <em>The Sensitivities<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Once we have found an amazing program ticking all the boxes in terms of transparency, mission, and accountability, how can we possibly go wrong in inviting visitors to see their work first-hand? Unfortunately, there are lots of ways.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span class=\"s2\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-5096\" src=\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blogbeward.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blogbeward-70x70.jpg 70w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blogbeward-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blogbeward-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blogbeward.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/>The Right to Privacy and the Protection of Children:\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"s1\">Philanthropic travel can involve visiting people in extremely vulnerable situations or people who have lived through traumatic experiences. Entering into their villages, homes or newly found places of safety and protection should be treated with thoughtfulness so people do not feel as if they are on display. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Unfortunately, philanthropic travel can quickly enter into the realm of being voyeuristic and self-serving. <strong>Slum tours<\/strong> for example, have become a marketing ploy that is nothing short of exploitative. These areas reflect people\u2019s real lives &#8211; their homes, families, and businesses and a visit to them with no other purpose than to see the difficult conditions within which people live should be avoided at all cost. It is in places deemed as \u2018slums\u2019 that we at GoPhil have encountered some of the most innovative and passionate people, and collaborating with them is at the heart of our mission to go.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The <strong>frequency of visits<\/strong> to programs should be also taken into account and managed carefully with program staff. Over the years we have learned to take great care not to disrupt daily activities by parading through with groups of visitors or asking questions that compromise one\u2019s right to privacy such as encouraging people to recount their of stories of abuse or pain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"486\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5085\" src=\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog7.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog7-300x146.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog7-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog7-958x466.jpg 958w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog7.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">When it comes to visiting programs with children, we maintain strict policies that adhere to an NGO\u2019s <strong>child protection policy<\/strong>. Playing with or engaging with children associated with any visited program should be vigilantly monitored. One major criticism of volunteer trips is that they commonly offer a traveler direct access to vulnerable children with very little experience required or proper background checks. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>Photography and video<\/strong> can be a powerful way to share inspiring stories from around the world \u2014 stories that need and should be heard on a much greater scale. But in the moment, the camera can also be invasive and a barrier to listening. We have quite strict guidelines around taking pictures, especially with children, while we are engaging with programs on our journeys as it has the potential to draw attention away from the importance of what is being communicated, not to mention the compromise to a person\u2019s right to privacy and dignity in story telling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Last but not least, we advise against any models of philanthropic travel that center around <strong>offering material things<\/strong> during a visit. Handing out gifts or money can promote a concept of \u2018haves and have nots\u2019 and can also create a savior-like moment that undermines a person\u2019s sense of worth. This is not to say we don\u2019t provided essential materials to programs in need of them. We do \u2014 all of the time, from vehicles, to computers, to solar and water systems and school buildings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">But, when the <i>onsite<\/i> interaction is focused on the exchange of these things, the fundamentals of philanthropy quickly get lost \u2014 listening to the background and inspiration behind the need for the program, the strength it has taken to fight against injustices, the daily challenges a program might face, their stories of success despite the odds and their dreams and vision for a self-reliant future.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"431\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5089\" src=\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog8.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog8-146x64.jpg 146w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog8-300x129.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog8-768x331.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog8-958x413.jpg 958w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog8.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><strong><span class=\"s1\" style=\"color: #993366;\">A Conduit for Global Good<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"407\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-5097\" src=\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blogpotential.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blogpotential-300x271.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blogpotential.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/>When the proper due diligence is taken from all angles \u2014 from identification of programs to careful management of onsite visitation, to supporting what programs want for themselves, philanthropic travel experiences can be a powerful catalyst for global good.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"s1\">Our differences as people melt into the ground and our common humanity becomes so evident that we can come away questioning why we place so much time and effort on building our individual lives as opposed to helping each other.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Something palpable seems to float in the air during these exchanges \u2014 a currency that far exceeds anything we can calculate or measure. The experience for both the individuals within the program and the travelers themselves can be profoundly moving, even life-changing experience.<b> It\u2019s within these moments, which we have found to be nothing short of transformative, that the giving and receiving naturally flows in both directions.\u00a0 A sense of synchronicity, not often found in our daily lives, is felt and we are left with a desire for more of it.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"p9\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong><span class=\"s2\"><a style=\"color: #993366;\" href=\"http:\/\/gophilanthropictravel.com\/\"><i>GoPhilanthropic Travel <\/i><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><span class=\"s1\"><i>is a socially conscious travel company encouraging a deeper understanding and connection to the world through travel.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>GoPhil Journeys offer a platform for global learning and involve engaging with a collection of effective small grassroots non-profits, committed to long-term work within their communities. The journeys give us each the opportunity to become active members of our global community. Join our upcoming trips to Guatemala, Costa Rica, SE Asia, Nepal and India. <\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p9\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong><span class=\"s2\"><a style=\"color: #993366;\" href=\"http:\/\/www,gophilanthropic.org\"><i>GoPhilanthropic Foundation<\/i><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><span class=\"s1\"><i> is a US based non-profit that helps small community-based organizations provide access to education, health and human rights in impoverished regions round the world. GoPhil provides both financial grants and capacity building and so that programs can scale their work and do more. The foundation was borne out of a desire to redefine the traditional check-writing charity model to one that reflects a more active, engaged and collaborative philanthropy.\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by GoPhil Co-Founder, Lydia Dean, Author of Jumping the Picket Fence: A Woman&#8217;s Journey from the Suburbs to the Slums &#8220;I would like to do more on my next trip. I want to do something [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":5069,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[135,290,213],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Demystifying Philanthropic Travel &#8226; GoPhilanthropic Foundation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/demystifying-philanthropic-travel\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Demystifying Philanthropic Travel &#8226; GoPhilanthropic Foundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"by GoPhil Co-Founder, Lydia Dean, Author of Jumping the Picket Fence: A Woman&#8217;s Journey from the Suburbs to the Slums &#8220;I would like to do more on my next trip. I want to do something [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/demystifying-philanthropic-travel\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"GoPhilanthropic Foundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/GoPhilanthropic-111034825665225\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-04-16T14:42:47+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2019-07-28T20:22:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"637\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"GoPhilanthropic Foundation\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@gophilanthro\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@gophilanthro\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"GoPhilanthropic Foundation\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"15 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/demystifying-philanthropic-travel\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/demystifying-philanthropic-travel\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"GoPhilanthropic Foundation\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/#\/schema\/person\/88a2aa76a993dd02106062d2baf02021\"},\"headline\":\"Demystifying Philanthropic Travel\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-04-16T14:42:47+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2019-07-28T20:22:01+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/demystifying-philanthropic-travel\/\"},\"wordCount\":2985,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/#organization\"},\"articleSection\":[\"GoNews\",\"Popular\",\"Travel\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/demystifying-philanthropic-travel\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/demystifying-philanthropic-travel\/\",\"name\":\"Demystifying Philanthropic Travel &#8226; GoPhilanthropic Foundation\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2018-04-16T14:42:47+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2019-07-28T20:22:01+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/demystifying-philanthropic-travel\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/demystifying-philanthropic-travel\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/demystifying-philanthropic-travel\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Demystifying Philanthropic Travel\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/\",\"name\":\"GoPhilanthropic Foundation\",\"description\":\"Reimagining Philanthropy\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/#organization\",\"name\":\"GoPhilanthropic Foundation\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/logo_final.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/logo_final.jpg\",\"width\":336,\"height\":60,\"caption\":\"GoPhilanthropic Foundation\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/GoPhilanthropic-111034825665225\/\",\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/gophilanthro\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/gophilanthropic\/\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/#\/schema\/person\/88a2aa76a993dd02106062d2baf02021\",\"name\":\"GoPhilanthropic Foundation\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"\/\/www.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c91d057119ded6cf433302176d2bbf44?s=96&#038;r=g&#038;d=mm\",\"contentUrl\":\"\/\/www.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c91d057119ded6cf433302176d2bbf44?s=96&#038;r=g&#038;d=mm\",\"caption\":\"GoPhilanthropic Foundation\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/author\/gophil\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Demystifying Philanthropic Travel &#8226; GoPhilanthropic Foundation","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/demystifying-philanthropic-travel\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Demystifying Philanthropic Travel &#8226; GoPhilanthropic Foundation","og_description":"by GoPhil Co-Founder, Lydia Dean, Author of Jumping the Picket Fence: A Woman&#8217;s Journey from the Suburbs to the Slums &#8220;I would like to do more on my next trip. I want to do something [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/demystifying-philanthropic-travel\/","og_site_name":"GoPhilanthropic Foundation","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/GoPhilanthropic-111034825665225\/","article_published_time":"2018-04-16T14:42:47+00:00","article_modified_time":"2019-07-28T20:22:01+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1000,"height":637,"url":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/philtravel_blog.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"GoPhilanthropic Foundation","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@gophilanthro","twitter_site":"@gophilanthro","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"GoPhilanthropic Foundation","Est. reading time":"15 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/demystifying-philanthropic-travel\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/demystifying-philanthropic-travel\/"},"author":{"name":"GoPhilanthropic Foundation","@id":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/#\/schema\/person\/88a2aa76a993dd02106062d2baf02021"},"headline":"Demystifying Philanthropic Travel","datePublished":"2018-04-16T14:42:47+00:00","dateModified":"2019-07-28T20:22:01+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/demystifying-philanthropic-travel\/"},"wordCount":2985,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/#organization"},"articleSection":["GoNews","Popular","Travel"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/demystifying-philanthropic-travel\/","url":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/demystifying-philanthropic-travel\/","name":"Demystifying Philanthropic Travel &#8226; GoPhilanthropic Foundation","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/#website"},"datePublished":"2018-04-16T14:42:47+00:00","dateModified":"2019-07-28T20:22:01+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/demystifying-philanthropic-travel\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/demystifying-philanthropic-travel\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/demystifying-philanthropic-travel\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Demystifying Philanthropic Travel"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/","name":"GoPhilanthropic Foundation","description":"Reimagining Philanthropy","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/#organization","name":"GoPhilanthropic Foundation","url":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/logo_final.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/logo_final.jpg","width":336,"height":60,"caption":"GoPhilanthropic Foundation"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/GoPhilanthropic-111034825665225\/","https:\/\/twitter.com\/gophilanthro","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/gophilanthropic\/"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/#\/schema\/person\/88a2aa76a993dd02106062d2baf02021","name":"GoPhilanthropic Foundation","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"\/\/www.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c91d057119ded6cf433302176d2bbf44?s=96&#038;r=g&#038;d=mm","contentUrl":"\/\/www.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c91d057119ded6cf433302176d2bbf44?s=96&#038;r=g&#038;d=mm","caption":"GoPhilanthropic Foundation"},"url":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/author\/gophil\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5068"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5068"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5068\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6334,"href":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5068\/revisions\/6334"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5069"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5068"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5068"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5068"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}