Community Partners

Traverse Journeys partners with local NGOs and non-profits around the world who are dedicated to improving their communities and the environment. Each Traverse trip includes a visit to the local Community Partner to learn about the important work they’re doing in their community. A donation of 1% of the base price of each trip goes to directly to that partner. We visit these organizations year after year, trip after trip in order to provide a long-lasting impact while engaging you the traveler with on-the-ground insight and local experience during your travels.

We’re passionate about supporting these organizations who are working hard to enhance conservation, support community healthcare, mitigate homelessness, provide education, create job opportunities and engage in myriad other social and environmental causes.

BY REGION

africa & middle east

**Jordan -** **BEIT KHAIRAT SOUF**
Beit Khairat Souf is the first and only productive women's initiative in the remote village of Souf. By drawing tourists and donors to this village, it has become a new tourist destination in Jordan and allowed many local women to succeed by marketing their products and improving their socio-economic conditions.
Beit Khairat Souf aims to provide a safe space for women in Jordan to learn new skills and market their products as well as create a positive economic impact on their families.

Meet the women of Beit Khairat Souf and support their work by joining us on our next trip to Jordan!

**Morocco -** **BERBER WOMAN’S CO-OP**
This all-female weaving co-op, located in the Moroccan south region of Taznakht, is home to over 250 female weavers, specializing in three different varieties of Moroccan carpets: Tuareg, Berber, and Haratin. The majority of the women that make up this association are widowed, divorced, or unemployed - thus making it difficult for them to find a secure means of steady income. The "boss" of the co-op, Lalla, is over 75 years old and has been weaving since the age of 12.
We're super excited to learn and share with these incredible women on our Morocco Adventures adventure.

asia / pacific

**India -** **IKAKI FOUNDATION**
The Ikaki Foundation is working hard to improve the quality of education for children and communities who are underserved and lack access to basic resources.
The primary goal of this NGO is to create a holistic environment for the development of young minds that will help them to secure gainful employment or pursue entrepreneurial activities in the future. Through their educational support project, they provide classroom infrastructure, help maintain the health and hygiene of students, and provide resources such as personnel, stationery, and uniforms.
We are very proud to partner with the Ikaki Foundation for our Eco Tour in Northern India.

PROJECT JONAH - New ZealandProject Jonah is a New Zealand charity, working to inspire Kiwis to care for and protect marine mammals and the oceans these animals call home. Their work falls into 3 key areas. Rescue: delivering essential first aid to s… — **New Zealand -** **PROJECT JONAH**
Project Jonah is a New Zealand charity, working to inspire Kiwis to care for and protect marine mammals and the oceans these animals call home. Their work falls into 3 key areas. **Rescue:** delivering essential first aid to stranded or injured animals. **Action: t**hrough their public education and awareness campaigns they inform and educate people, and encourage them to get involved. **Protection:** acting as a watchdog to expose marine mammal suffering and help create and enforce laws that will protect these animals.
We love our time with Projact Jonah aboard the Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari on our A New Zealand Fantasy trip, where we learn about marine life while hopefully spotting a few!

**Nepal -** **RIGHTS4CHILREN**
Right4Children (R4C), based in Pokhara, is dedicated to improving the lives and living standards of disadvantaged children, youth and their families. Established in January 2013, R4C's actions are oriented towards assisting such children and young people, through programs and services that they feel RIGHT for them, in making their hopes and dreams come true.
R4C strives to make sure that disadvantaged young people have a voice and access to practical education to build skills and job opportunities for their transition into sustainable livelihood. Their goals include creating an environment for the children to go to school regularly and increase the students' retention rate in community schools, as well as contributing to the reduction of the poverty level of the disadvantaged groups by enhancing their livelihood condition.
Visiting these game-changers on our Discover Nepal trip, and donating to their cause is a highlight for our travelers.

EUROPE

**Croatia -** **GREENSAIL**
Green Sail is an initiative promoting environmentally conscious practices and the responsible use of our seas and oceans in order to achieve a prolonged and positive impact and help to maintain Croatia as a sustainable tourism destination for future generations. They assist Marinas by motivating and advising on appropriate recycling management practices and support charter companies in their effort to prevent sea and coastal area pollution. Green Sail believes education is the first step to implementing and achieving sustainability, and therefore they offer free courses are aimed at anyone interested in responsible tourism and marine protection.
Traverse is super excited about our engaging Eco Walk & Talk with Green Sail in Split on our Escape to Croatia itinerary.

**Greece -** **LIGHTHOUSE RELIEF** **- Greece**
Formed in September 2015 on the shores of Lesvos, Greece, Lighthouse Relief began by offering emergency aid to people arriving to Lesvos, as well as long-term psycho-social support to children and youth in Ritsona Refugee Camp, mainland Greece. Today they continue their work in Ritsona and also provide support to refugees and asylum seekers experiencing homelessness in Athens. Their mission is to provide a dignified, respectful and empowering humanitarian response, with a focus on supporting vulnerable populations such as children and youth.
Traverse is very excited to partner with Lighthouse Relief for our Sail Away to Greece trip.

**Ireland -** **IRISH SEED SAVERS**
Irish Seed Savers focuses on the preservation of heirloom and heritage food crop varieties that are suitable for Ireland’s unique growing conditions, maintaining the country’s public seed bank with over 600 non-commercially available varieties of seed. In a picturesque setting in rural County Clare, their 20 acres of land are put to great use as they lead the charge in Ireland for seed saving as well as further sustainable, eco-friendly, and educational goals.
Traverse is excited about the education and awareness regarding agricultural biodiversity in Ireland during our community exchange day on our Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way itinerary.

**Italy -** **ANAPOO: NAT'L ASSOCIATION OF OLIVE OIL PROFESSIONAL TASTERS**
ANAPOO is a non-profit located in Florence. The professional qualification of extra virgin olive oil tasters is at the core of ANAPOO’s mission and in order to do so, it organizes updates, meeting, tastings, guided visits and aspiring tasters training and selection.
The Association also works with private and public organizations to provide olive oil sensorial analysis and classification. It defines and sets quality standards and carries out investigations and studies for the improvement of olive oil production, competition and tests. All people working for ANAPOO are volunteers and include university professors, farmers, tasters and olive oil lovers alike. On our Iconic Italy trip we support all they do with our donation.

Image: The Carnation Revolution by Obey (aka Shepard’s Fairey)
**Portugal -** **YES YOU CAN SPRAY**
Yes You Can Spray started as a sequence of street art tours in Lisbon that engaged local artists and community participants to (legally) paint a wall and teach the tricks of the trade in interaction and experimentation with our audience.
They strive to connect international and local artists with one another and to embrace this art form and recognize its historic role as a political voice and its current impact for social inclusion. Their popular Urban Art Walk that is part of our Taste of Portugal Trip is a highlight for us and we are able to show our appreciate for their art through our donation.

LATIN AMERICA

TORRES DEL PAINE LEGACY FUND - ChileThe Torres del Paine Legacy Fund is a non-profit initiative dedicated to enhancing the long-term health of Torres del Paine National Park and its surrounding communities. The Legacy Fund spearheads collective stew… — **Chile -** **TORRES DEL PAINE LEGACY FUND**
The Torres del Paine Legacy Fund is a non-profit initiative dedicated to enhancing the long-term health of Torres del Paine National Park and its surrounding communities. The Legacy Fund spearheads collective stewardship of one of the world’s most cherished and spectacular natural wonders. It engages local and international tourism businesses, municipalities, park authorities, fellow NGOs, and visitors in an effort to raise funds, awareness, and execute sustainability projects. Currently these initiatives include include conservation, trail restoration, and visitor management initiatives in the park, and a community tourism initiatives with indigenous communities.
We love supporting the work they do on our Chile & Patagonia trip!

**Costa Rica -** **CEPIA**
Since 2005, CEPIA has been helping children in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica by offering educational opportunities in reading, math, English, social skills, sports, arts and more. They also provide nutritional support, legal support, medical and psychological care, as well as further work with parents.
CEPIA is active in 23 communities, helping over 1000 kids yearly. They provide arts, mindfulness & sports activities, and school supplies for 700 kids, and counseling for 250 kids. We’re happy to engage with their work on our Costa Rica Adventure!

**Dominica -** **JUNGLE BAY COMMUNITY FUND**
The Jungle Bay Community Fund consists of donations from guests, staff who generously give 10% of their gratuities, and other local business owners who commit to supporting community needs. From healthcare and literacy to sports development, entrepreneur mentorship, education and more, the fund supports initiatives that bolster the community ensuring that Jungle Bay is a meaningful contributor to the betterment of the island.
A sample of their many projects include: *Open Books, Open Minds*, a literacy program; social programs such as bringing water to underserved community members'; health programs and supporting a home for those with disabilities; sports programs for youth; and environmental clean-ups to support conservation. Our Dominica Retreat supports the fund and all their amazing efforts.

**Mexico -** **VÍA ORGÁNICA**
Vía Orgánica’s mission is to promote healthy food and a sustainable future through the promotion of knowledge and the practice of organic regenerative agriculture, fair trade, social justice, sustainable life and the protection of the planet. Via Orgánica, formed in 2009 as a sister organization of the Association of Organic Consumers (OCA), is one of a kind because they educate people about healthy nutrition, taking care of the environment and an economical ecosystem.
The founders of Vía Orgánica, Rosana Álvarez, a native of San Miguel and president of Vía Orgánica, along with Rose Welch and Ronnie Cummins founders of the OCA, decided to open the doors of Vía Orgánica Tienda y Café in Colonia Guadalupe in 2009, in order to connect small local farmers with consumers looking for delicious organic food produced locally and in a healthy way. Their vision is of a Mexico in which organic agriculture, social justice, local commerce and sustainable living are available to all inhabitants. Our Mexico Yoga & Cooking Retreat is proud to donate to this amazing organization.

**Guatemala -** **WELLKIND**
WellKind Guatemala provides leadership training and ecological and economic resources from a perspective that recognizes local leadership, systems thinking, and our inherent connection to nature. They look at the entire system, intentionally designing programs that work towards community resilience - helping communities build the capacity to meet their own needs.
WellKind has many programs from Ecology Programs that advance reforestation, water conservation, and organic food production, to Economy Programs provide trainings and start-up materials to help Kaqchikel women establish sustainable local businesses. They have planted over 35,000 trees that sequester more than 644 tons of CO2 each year and have 140 women organize a cooperative of artisan crafters to make beaded and crochet products, earning fair-trade wages to support their families. Just to highlight a few ways they’ve impacted their community. We are overjoyed to give these transformative programs during our Guatemala Yoga Retreats.

Image: @kuska_school
**Peru -** **KUSKA SCHOOL**
The Kuska School is a learning community dedicated to accompanying generations of global citizens capable of transforming their environment for common well-being. The pillars they stand on are focused on inter-culturality, environment and inter-learning. Located at 2,800 meters above sea level between Cusco and Machu Picchu, between the Andes mountains of Peru, the Kuska School has been developing various educational programs that seek to contribute to the improvement of the learning experience in children in the district of Ollantaytambo for more than 10 years.
The Kuska School provides a suitable environment for children to develop autonomy and independence, empathy, critical thinking, free choice, creativity and a conscience of peace to live in harmony with their surrounding environment. Visiting this school is one of the highlights of our Peru Trip.

Past Partners

BARRIO PLANTA PROJECT - NicaraguaBarrio Planta Project provides supplementary education to kids in the San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua community. Born out of a local desire to offer English, art, music and other educational opportunities to kids within … — **BARRIO PLANTA PROJECT** **- Nicaragua**
**Barrio Planta Project** provides supplementary education to kids in the San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua community. Born out of a local desire to offer English, art, music and other educational opportunities to kids within the area, BPP helps young local residents excel in education while empowering them with cultural and life skills that they can apply at home and afield.
Traverse supported Barrio Planta Project during the Yoga + Surf Nicaragua retreat. BPP has since closed in the best of ways that allowed for new local initiatives to take place in San Juan del Sur.

SANI WARMI - EcuadorSani Warmi (warmi means "woman" in Kichwa) is a community-driven project born out of the desire to revitalize traditional artisan handicrafts and provide a new income stream from sustainably sourced forest materials.We absolutely… — **Ecuador - SANI WARMI**
Sani Warmi (*warmi* means "woman" in Kichwa) is a community-driven project born out of the desire to revitalize traditional artisan handicrafts and provide a new income stream from sustainably sourced forest materials.
We absolutely love our community day with Sani Warm where we learn about permaculture, cook a traditional Amazon meal, enjoy fresh coffee & cacao right from the source, and chat with the ladies. Our visit with this organization is definitely a highlight of our past trip, Rainforest Encounter Ecuador!