World Orphan Week 2006, between 2 and 8 October, highlights the plight of orphans around the world. Small group adventure travel specialist Explore reports significant progress with the…
World Orphan Week 2006, between 2 and 8 October, highlights the plight of orphans around the world. Small group adventure travel specialist Explore reports significant progress with the building of the Mufindi Orphanage in the village of Igoda, Tanzania. Work started last year, the first house has already been completed and funding is in place for a further two.
Part funded by Explore, the Orphanage will consist of six individual houses sleeping around 70 children plus a house mother in each building, along with a main building and a training school. It will house children who have been left without relatives due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Only workmen from Mufindi village are employed in the construction, to ensure maximum benefit to the local economy. This has slowed progress a little but the economic benefits are very important to the local community.
Fran Hughes, Responsible Tourism Manager for Explore, comments: “This is an extremely important and worthwhile project that we are proud to support. A vital part of Explore`s philosophy is to work with and help local communities that we visit, and the Mufindi Orphanage allows us and our customers the opportunity to help these children. Such Responsible Tourism commitments will always remain at the top of Explore`s agenda. In addition we are pleased that AITO (The Association of Independent Tour Operators) – of which we are a member – has donated a further £1,000 to the Mufindi Orphanage”.
World Orphan Week is organised by SOS Children, a charity that works in more than 120 countries to provide homes for orphaned and abandoned children. Launched last year, World Orphan Week seeks to raise awareness of the world`s 18 million orphans.
In Peru, Explore`s donations help to support seven SOS Children`s Villages, while The Sunshine Project in Egypt provides a home and schooling for abandoned children thanks to Explore funding.
At the recent TravelMole Web Awards 2006, was named Best Responsible Tourism Site, in recognition of the site`s efforts in keeping visitors up to date with the company`s latest environmental work. Explore has been awarded the top three-star status by AITO as a leading specialist in Responsible Tourism.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
