Learning from the People Brings a New Perspective
Wars hopefully end. Military and the private armies come home. But historically, rebuilding the devastation and helping with the medical needs are rarely part of the reality with the exception of the Marshall Plan.
our developing world(odw) EcoReality Tours sometimes visit the countries the US has invaded or held proxy wars in: Central America, Southeast Asia.
When we first went to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam we expected to experience at least some anti-American feelings. We didn't! Not at all. Part of it probably was because we were there to see what the people were doing to make life better for their communities that we had come to learn from them. And very possibly the very strong Buddhist influence played a role. Focus on today and move forward!
We learn new things every time. And now we find we can even play a unique role. We've brought local people together who hadn't met before and they were able to learn from each other and collaborate. As we tell our tour participants what it was like three and six and nine years ago we've given our hosts a perspective they were too close to to see.
July 11-25 $2,100 not including air, we hope to take a small group back to Cambodia and Laos with an option for 5 extra days in Vietnam as an add-on cost and days. We urge everyone to use at least one checked bag for donations to organizations. This time we're looking for pre-school kindergarteners used flip flops for children in Kampot province who are working with CCAF(Cambodian Children's Advocacy Foundation), and grade school and middle school used washed tied together tennis shoes that will be used as soles for prostheses for landmine and polio survivors at the Rehab Center. If you're involved with a pre-school could you ask parents to donate outgrown flip-flops?
And if you're involved with an elementary or middle school we'd love to do a little lesson for classes to encourage them to organize a tennis shoe collection drive.
We always return energized and full of hope that we get from the people we meet. You will, too. Join us. Call us or check our website. 408-379-4431 google our developing world(odw). We come up on top as Non profit.
Click here for Landmines Lesson
our developing world(odw)
Venezuela Reality Tour
Where Does the Oil Money Go?
$1793 not including air
June 18-28, 2007
A non-Hilton adventure for ten flexible travelers who want to see for themselves,
focusing on people: social, health and economic development.
A Tour of Hope
The Hope of the People
Focusing on people: social, health and economic development
Come home energized!
our developing world(odw)
a tax-exempt education nonprofit provider approved by the California Board
if Registered Nursing, Provider # CEP14397
for 20 Contact Hours RN fee $100
University credit also possible
$200 deposit saves your place!
Ecotours use local guides and locally owned accommodations that support their communities.
BRN approval extends only to continuing education providers & does not include tour arrangements.
Venezuela:
Where is the Oil Money Going?
Tuesday June 19?8, Hotel Avila
-Orientation, historic tour including Bolivar's birth and burial sites, school where Jose Marti taught, Puente Laguna where violence broke out in the 2002 coup, and Miraflores Presidential Palace.
--A visit to a Caracas barrio
--A visit to a community center: cooperatives, a Mercal store and a health center
Depending on the interests of the group, we can meet with representatives of the oil industry, human rights organizations, government officials, and opposition groups Bolivarian schools and adult education programs sponsored by the government and visit the studios of Telesur—the Latin American answer to CNN.
Saturday June 23, travel to Barquisimeto, Hotel Principe
-Visit a community radio and TV station and an info center (where computers are available for teaching barrio children how to use them) and a health center.
Sanare, June 24-26, Posada El Cerrito
-A farming community in the mountains about an hour from Barquisimeto in the midst of coffee production fields:
-A farming cooperative producing its own natural fertilizers
-A women’s co-operative producing jams, pickled products, etc.
-A community high school in a remote area about 45 minutes from Sanare, the result of years of struggling on the part of the parents
Wednesday June 27, travel to Caracas (near airport) Hotel Santiago, Macuto
Thursday June 28, return to the U.S.
The tour includes double rooms ($270 extra. single supplement),
breakfasts daily (9 breakfasts), facilitator, translator, transport throughout &
to and from airport (for those arriving on June 19 and departing on June 28.
Charlie Hardy is our facilitator. His book Cowboy in Caracas, A North American's Memoir of the Democratic Revolution in Venezuela is recently published and a great intro through its vignettes of the little people there.
Options:
Angel Falls, the tallest falls in the world. It is a beautiful trip of 4 days and 3 nights costs about $850.00 in a double room, including airfare. Few Venezuelans have ever been there due to cost. If you want to go there after your trip this can be arranged.
If you want to stay longer:
-A gondola to the top of Avila Mountain
-A visit to the little tourist village (that is now a part of Caracas), El Hatillo, that is something of an art and dining center.
We encourage travelers to use at least some of their checked baggage allowance for donations to local organizations who will get them to those most in need.
Time will allow for reflection and sharing, questions and analysis. The diversity of the group will enrich the experience for us all.
Tour Inquiry
Tour design is for ten flexible people who want an in-depth grass roots, non-Hilton adventure.
Application and $200 deposit ($50 refundable unless tour is canceled) will hold your space and you will receive Travel Tips, readings and a reading list.
Final payment deadline is February 1st. The light meal of the day and airfare aren't included.
No visa is required. Entry & Departure tax are $1, subject to change. Carry Tourist cards, issued upon arrival, and return tickets along with a US passport valid at least six months after entry.
Taxes and tips not part of tour cost. A cancellation schedule will be given to participants.
our developing world(odw) is designed to bring realities of the "third world" and the richness of diverse cultures to North Americans through programs in churches, schools, and community groups, teacher training, a free teacher lending resource lending library, a three times a year newsletter voices, material aid and reality ecotours.
our developing world(odw) has led tours since 1975 to China, Cuba, Tanzania, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala Southeast Asia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa and the indigenous of Hawaii.
"I have never had such a marvelous tour! I learned so much" Freda Crum, South Africa 2005.
"It was a life changing experience." Rita Neely, South Africa 2005.
"I've gone on two odw tours and would go again" Susan Vieira, Southeast Asia and South Africa.
our developing world(odw) is a leader in responsible ecotourism with a focus on people and development.
our developing world(odw) is an all volunteer nonprofit educational project. Tour costs (not air) are tax deductible. Donations to the odw scholarship fund are also deductible and can be in the name of someone you want to help go on a reality tour.
**Click here for downloding the Application form (pdf file)
| 13004 Paseo Presada, Saratoga CA 95070-4125 |
| Phone: | 408-379-4431 |
| Email: |
odw@magiclink.net |
>>Click here to see reality eco tours in 2009
>>Click here to see reality eco tours in 2008
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