UnXpected

Thank you, again, for your interest in The VolunTourist!

And a BIG Thank You to all who send us some great comments!

This Issue's Reader Comments & Other Mail

David,

I am Robin Shackell, a former British Diplomat and founder of Volunteer South America. We are dedicated to identifying volunteer positions with small to medium size local organisations in South America. We work with responsible non-profit organisations that offer structured volunteering work in properly managed volunteer programs. These organisations are doing good work, but really need help. Most do not have the out reach to find volunteers and lack the resources of larger multi-lateral organisations to attract project funds. We are constantly trying to find more volunteers for these organisations. Our programs are very low costs.

Is there any way that I can exchange links with your site or make people aware of what we offer?

Robin

Dear Robin,

Thank you for your email.

I appreciate and understand the position that you find yourself in as you explore ways for generating interest in your program and that of others. VolunTourism.org does not offer link exchanges. It is a tedious task, at best, and requires maintenance and follow up.

Photo by Cameron Grant, Copyright © Developing World Connections, All Rights Reserved

However, after visiting your website, I note that you are also running an adventure travel outfit: Specialized Adventure Travel. If you are really attempting to integrate what you are doing with Volunteer South America and what you do with Specialized Adventure Travel, I would suggest that you reach out to Shannon Stowell or Chris Doyle at the Adventure Travel Trade Association. Or you may want to speak with Christina Heyniger, Founder of Xola Consulting and Off The Radar. Either of these resources may be able to offer you some additional exposure for what you are doing.

Sincerely,

David L. Clemmons, Publisher/Editor

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Dear Sir/Madam,

Greetings from the Heritage city of Jaipur!

I learned about your programs through your website and decided to contact you with our proposal. I am writing this on behalf of Tazurba International, a Rajasthan (India) based  organization, which was founded by a dedicated group of intellectuals, educationists, and artists of Jaipur.

We are now running an “Insights Abroad for Global youth” program in Rajasthan.  This is a program for people world over who desire to experience India at a grassroots level.  We facilitate a three-week experiential learning program for these individuals, centered on the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan.  This immersion experience would include an exploration of the region’s living traditions in crafts, visual and performing arts, and architecture.  In addition, part of the program would be focused on exposing these participants to rural development in the countryside of South Rajasthan (please visit our webpage for details).

Our ultimate goal in this program is to give students an opportunity to step outside of their 'comfort zone' and learn about life in India by really living it themselves for at least a short time. (Also, to hopefully learn much about themselves, and who they are, or more importantly who they can be. This, in relation to a broader understanding of the world and alternate ways of thinking.) At the same time we want to give them an opportunity to give something of themselves back by doing volunteering work to the communities that they visit.

In brief, that is our focus as a program. If you find these ideas interesting and compelling, I would be happy to hear from you.  I invite your suggestions on this matter, and look forward to collaborating on this initiative.  This is a unique opportunity to provide a transformational experience to youth, and a chance to be involved with an innovative cross-cultural learning experience.

Thanks and best regards,

Rishi Chaturvedi Director

Email- chaturvedirishi@hotmail.com

Webpage-http://worldstogethertravel.com/india/insights-intro.htm

Dear Rishi Chaturvedi,

Thank you for sharing information about your organization. Glad to know that there is another resource for entities looking for partners in destinations like Jaipur.

As VolunTourism.org is dedicated to education and information dissemination, we are not involved in running projects or partnering with other organizations to develop programs. We do receive numerous inquiries for links and exchanges, and are grateful to hear about the wonderful work that is occurring around the globe. But, we have determined that the service we will provide is strictly focused on education as it relates to VolunTourism.

You may want to review the International Volunteer Programs Association website and contact some of the organizations listed there in an effort to create a partnership with them. Or you may want to select some of the entities that are featured under the "VolunTourism Trips" section of the VolunTourism.org website to try a similar approach.

Good Luck in your efforts.

Sincerely,

David L. Clemmons, Editor/Publisher

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