The year was 2002 and I had turned twenty of age. As soon as
the calendar changed from 2001 to 2002, my life was upside down. Every day was
a torture. Since then I vowed to myself that I would never be a weak
person anymore.
As I was trying to get rid of the pain from being a sexual
harassment victim, one of my dreams came true. It was the turning point of my
life. I was to embark on a journey that will forever change my life. Just
before 2002 ends, I had the most memorable journey of life. Travel means so
much and little that I knew of how that voyage had redefined my current life.
SSEAYP – the Ship for Southeast Asia-Japan Youth Program was
a God sent gift. Not only it gave me the opportunity to set foot overseas, it also brought me special friendships; during that said program. In addition to that, it
completely changed the way I see travel and people all together.
Perhaps the biggest lesson of traveling on Nippon Maru, with
over 300 youths around Southeast Asia, for me is ‘the realization’ of that giving
back is better than receiving. Thus, upon returning from that meaningful
journey, I promised myself that I would do my best to always give back. Hence, every time I embark on a travel expedition, my main intention has always
been “to reach out and enjoy”.
**************
Since 2002, there have been numerous opportunities for me to
contribute while I enjoy traveling. I cannot remember of when and what had I
contributed, but it was certainly never money (unfortunately, I am just as
average person like most of you). Nonetheless, each occasion that I spend time
and energy often is rewarded with much satisfaction and a big smile on my face.
If your idea of traveling equals to luxurious hotel stays,
service pampering as well as lazing around doing nothing, then travel with a
cause is not your cup of tea. However, for those who wish to expand their
travel experience to be something very special for you and (at least one) more
person, then you should start considering to travel with a cause.
Like travel agents, do you know that there is an
organization that helps travelers at finding opportunities for you to travel
and volunteer at the same time?
When I heard about Ecoteer,
I was ecstatic. Ecoteer allows you to travel with a cause. Choose any
destination in Asia, Africa, Australia or even an exotic location you have in
mind, you probably ends up paying so much less for an extended stay in your
chosen location. The whole concept of ecoteer responsible travel is
matching traveler to a meaningful volunteering project.
“Ecoteer is a unique volunteer opportunities agency -
offering a directory of cheap volunteer work opportunities, volunteer jobs
abroad and working holidays. Our volunteer opportunities are cheap because we
have eliminated the middleman slashing the price to volunteer abroad for
gapyears, careerbreaks and working holidays. Ecoteer is changing the volunteer
and working holiday industry.”
As someone who loves to mess
around with the locals while I explore a new place, a chance to be part of
wildlife conservation would allow me to get up close with the animals rather
than seeing them in the fancy cages; or a chance to participate in a community
development activity will surely brought me closer to the people of a different
culture and country.
Want to know more about what have I written above? Check out
Ecoteer homepage for more info. Also, if you are looking for immediate travel
volunteer opportunity in Asia, scroll down this page to see what’s available
from Ecoteer responsible travel program.
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