Help Build Libraries in Zambia
This is the time of year where you are making lists, checking them twice, fighting the shopping crowds, and accumulating big credit card bills. This is also the time of year where websites, like ours, try to convince you to shop more; we tell you about all of the travel items you need to have to make your career break great.
However this year we are skipping the Career Break travel holiday shopping list. Because truth be told, it doesn’t matter what you carry with you on your break, it will still be great; don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise. Instead of a shopping list on where you can spend your money, we are focusing this year on philanthropic ways to give back; and our sole focus is Passports with Purpose.
Before I tell you about Passports with Purpose and why you should consider a donation; I want to remind you that you are travelers. As travelers who move from place to place in an epic journey, you will see many beautiful and many disturbing things. You will most likely realize how lucky you are for being born where you were with certain rights and possessions already provided you. As a female traveler, I think about how lucky I am to have been born in America, a country with many rights and opportunities for women compared to many other countries I’ve traveled through. I feel that as travelers we have a responsibility to give back to this world in which we explore. You have been given a gift of travel, freedom, education and I encourage you to celebrate that gift you’ve been given by working with the overall travel community in giving back.
Passports with Purpose
Passports with Purpose is an annual Travel Bloggers’ fundraiser. In 2010 they raised $64,128 to build a village in Southern India providing homes for 25 families. In 2009, travel bloggers raised almost $30,000 to build a school in rural Cambodia (complete with a school nurse). In 2011, they have set their sights even higher. With your help, they will raise $80,000 to build two libraries for children in Zambia through Room To Read.
Give and Receiving
It’s not just about you giving, it’s about what YOU can receive in return. This is a TRAVEL fundraiser; therefore your donation will not only help you feel warm in fuzzy inside, but it will help you travel.
Here’s how it works:
For a mere $10, you can enter to win a number of amazing travel prizes ranging from travel gadgets, gift certificates, gear, accommodation, and tours. For each $10 you donate, you choose what you’d like to enter. Donate $50 and enter 5 times for the same prize, or 5 different prizes.
There are many great prizes to win for career break travelers such as:
• 15-day 1st class Eurail pass worth $1160
• A private Florence Italy Market Tour for 4 worth $665
• Kindle Fire worth $200
• 1 year Boingo Internet global account worth $708
Oh Barcelona
However there is one that I’m very excited about because it is one that I have secured through my travel blog, Ottsworld. I think it’s perfect for career breakers as it is a way to really ‘get local’ when you travel. Oh Barcelona has donated a $500 voucher for an apartment stay in Barcelona, Paris, Rome, Florence, or Berlin in 2012! The voucher will provide you with an approximate 3-night stay for 2 people in one of these historical cities.
So – that’s $500 worth 3 nights of lodging for $10. Even Wal-Mart can’t beat that!
Oh Barcelona is not just any company – it’s a company I used when I traveled in Europe this year. I have met the people there, I love how they do business, and I believe in the many benefits of staying in apartments when traveling. Namely it’s a way to travel slow and integrate into local neighborhoods equaling a more rewarding travel experience.
As you do your holiday spending this coming month, take a moment to think about your future career break travels and consider helping the future of kids in Zambia.
See all of the prizes and donate now!
If you won the Oh Barcelona $500 prize, which city would you visit to use your voucher? Barcelona, Paris, Rome, Florence, or Berlin? Share in the comments!
Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am
I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂
Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am
Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).
In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!
Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm
Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!
Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm
Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.
Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm
Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!
Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm
merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!
shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am
you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!
Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am
[…] how badly I want to go to Paris… If only we could afford living there for an extended period of time during our travels! Any […]
G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm
I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.