Explore every episode of the podcast Travel with Purpose

Ms. Daine Wood Etches, a 5th-generation islander, founded the West End Community Center to meet critical community needs. She describes how this Center provides after-school programs, including English, science, and computer lessons, for children in need of extra support. Her family has donated land for the Community Center, as well as a baseball field, volleyball, and pickleball courts! Listen to ways you can engage in the community, making a difference on your next trip! https://weccroatan.org/ 

Amy & Windsyr, volunteers, Roatan, Honduras

Hear from a mother & daughter, Amy & Windsyr, who participated in our Roatan Dive and Community Engagement trip. Windsyr shares her experience gaining scientific diving skills around Roatan’s amazing reef, while recognizing the benefits of giving back to the island community. Amy shares how the opportunity to engage in the community gives more meaning and purpose to the trip and expands your world. “What made it so unique was the marriage of the diving with the service – I’ve never seen it before.”

Listen to Dr. Connie Duke, the Executive Director of the Art Creation Foundation for Children in Haiti. Dr. Duke brings products created in Haiti back to the US to sell, generating funding support for the Art Foundation. You can sponsor a student by donating backpacks and school supplies, sending holiday boxes, or providing art supplies. If you live in Jacksonville, attend an art market to see their products for sale! Your purchase makes a huge difference in students’ lives. One small gesture sends ripples across the world!

Hear from Leslie Ramos, Chief Experience Officer with Blue Missions, in the Dominican Republic. BLUE Missions empowers the youth to advocate for a world where there is water for all, forever. Through service projects and sustainability education, BLUE connects families in Latin America to clean, fresh water and inspires young people to lead the way to a water-secure future.

https://www.bluemissions.org/

Hear from Caitlin McHale Floreal as she shares her story of Co-founding Project Esperanza (Project Hope). As a young entrepreneur, Catitlin saw a need for Haitians in the Dominican Republic 

Project Esperanza primarily (but by no means exclusively) serves the Haitian refugee and immigrant population of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, in the areas of education, social aid, and community development. 

Participate in a summer camp, supporting kids’ English skills

Project Hope  https://esperanzameanshope.org/

Hear from Celeste Bundy, Founder of Education Equals Hope: exists to provide education for students in desperate and difficult situations around the world. They currently work in 7 countries, (Haiti, Ecuador, Uganda, Madagascar). Their motto is to surround students with a community to make sure they have all the tools necessary to complete their education. They frequently includes supporting students with before and afterschool programs. Students range from 3-30 years old! Relationships are a key part of their service. 

https://educationequalshope.org/our-story/ 

Hannah shares ways to get involved with Faithful Servant Missions, helping children get out of poverty through education and ministry programs. She encourages listeners to consider serving on a trip to Costa Rica, incorporating your skills and passions with the needs of the community. Supporting their English program is one great way to plug in; bring your talents and a heart to serve, they’ll do the rest to facilitate a life-changing experience for you and those you serve. 

https://www.faithfulservantmissions.org/

Hear from Sara Hernandez, a Missionary with Faithful Servant Missions (FSM), share how she was drawn to this organization’s collaboration with the local community. She emphasizes how they take time to build relationships to learn about and help address the ‘felt needs’. They have before and after school programs, working alongside local schools. Bring your expertise and they will facilitate the rest…prepare for a life-changing experience! https://www.faithfulservantmissions.org/

Hear from Cheryl Bradford, the Co-Founder of Faithful Servant Missions (FSM) focuses on breaking the cycle of poverty through education and recognizing the importance of education and English for future employment opportunities for those in the community. FSM welcomes volunteers, individuals, or teams to come alongside in support of the local schools. They offer lodging and local cuisine for an authentic experience, fostering relationships and making a positive impact.

https://www.faithfulservantmissions.org/ 

to improve the spiritual, educational, and physical health of those we serve

Christopher Hill - Hands Up Holidays https://handsupholidays.com/belize/

🎧 Episode Title: Expanding Horizons: Travel That Transforms with Christopher Hill of Hands Up Holidays 🌍

Podcast: Travel With Purpose

In this powerful episode, Aileen sits down with Christopher Hill, the visionary founder of Hands Up Holidays — a luxury travel company with a mission to change lives through purpose-driven travel.

Christopher shares how Hands Up Holidays blends five-star experiences with meaningful volunteer opportunities, creating journeys that enrich not just the traveler, but the communities they visit. From building homes in Zambia to protecting sea turtles in Costa Rica, these trips are about leaving the world better than you found it.

💬 Together, Aileen and Christopher also unveil an exciting new collaboration: a transformational retreat to Roatán, Honduras — marking a brand-new destination for Hands Up Holidays! 🌴✨

This upcoming trip will offer travelers a chance to connect deeply with local communities while experiencing the stunning Caribbean beauty of Roatán — all with purpose and heart at the center.

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your wanderlust into something lasting and impactful, this conversation will inspire your next journey.

🧳 Ready to travel with meaning? Hit play now

Luxury Family Volunteer Vacations: see amazing sights as part of a luxury vacation, and also experience authentic interaction with local people and give back in a hands-on way.

Start planning your family’s life-changing adventure.

Tara Patten W.

A founding Board member with Soles by Grace shares her story of traveling to Kenya as a volunteer. Here her 

Aileen Hale introduces Tara Patten Weisner, a founding board member and volunteer for the non-profit organization, Souls by Grace. Tara shares how she got involved with the organization after being inspired by the founder's trip to Kenya and desire to help provide shoes and other necessities for children in need.

Tara explains the core mission of Souls by Grace: to provide $10 monthly sponsorships that deliver shoes, socks, and other essential supplies to children in Kenya who often lack access to necessities, such as proper footwear. She emphasizes the importance of protecting the children's feet from infection and injury when they must walk long distances without shoes.

Tara describes her transformative trip to Kenya with Souls by Grace, sharing how the joy and gratitude of the people she met there deeply impacted her. She was struck by the children's happiness despite their lack of material possessions and was inspired to find ways to continue supporting the organization and its work.

Tara encourages listeners to consider sponsoring a child through Souls by Grace or even joining a mission trip to Kenya. She highlights how these experiences can be life-changing, helping people discover their unique gifts and passions while making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need.

Aileen and Tara wrap up the discussion, with Tara reiterating the organization's tagline, "Smooth walking is a blessing," and encouraging listeners to stay grateful and recognize that even small contributions can have a big impact. Aileen thanks Tara for her time and enthusiasm.

Solesbygrace.com

Shannon Farley, the Founder of Soles by Grace, shares her story of how she discovered the need for shoes to make a tremendous difference in children’s lives. They are partnering with Badda Shoes, a shoe company in Kenya, to grant Soles by Grace 175 pairs of shoes to reinvest in their community.  Not only do shoes allow kids to attend school, but they also gives them dignity. Join in, for just $10, you can make such a difference in changing the trajectory of a child’s life

Solesbygrace.com

“You go down thinking you’re going to help, but what you see is the contentment that they have …”

If you get a chance to go…GO!! Go with an open mind. You’ll say you’re doing it for them, but it’s the best thing you’ll do for YOU!

It’s one thing to go on a vacation, its so much more to go with a purpose- of doing something for someone else – you learn so much about yourself and you gain so much more for yourself when you help others.  

https://www.manosdefe.org

Listen to Julie Proctor, a Founder of Manos de Fe, share her journey of starting this nonprofit organization, supporting an indigenous people group in Panama. She describes the extreme conditions of poverty and the need for an orphanage. Your involvement can make a huge difference in these childrens’ lives, bringing hope and encouragement for their futures.  

They will use your gifts and passions to pour into these children; all talents are incorporated. Have your life transformed as you give. https://www.manosdefe.org 

Recording minute 5.31 “What’s the change that we see? It’s to see the hope that’s instilled in these girls….” ; “They come from not being able to read and write to graduating high school.” 

“If you’re a teacher, in the medical field…whatever your skills or passions, you can apply them at the orphanage.”

3 Pillars: Education, Family Outreach, and Orphan Transition

Hi! this is the description for tomorrow's episode: Hear from Natasha, the President of Stella, a nonprofit organization based in N. Macedonia. Natasha shares ways Stella advocates for women’s empowerment and safety. Several co-founders are Fulbright Alumni, involved in organizing educational workshops and overseeing their flagship mentorship program.  Learn ways you can get involved and become a mentor. https://stella.mk/

Listen to Salija, the Founder of the Roma Women’s Rights Initiative in N. Macedonia share ways they are helping the Roma women and girls with education and advocating for their rights. She shares the challenges many face, living in poor conditions without electricity.  They work to counteract such systemic problems. Listen and learn ways you may support their vision for basic human rights and empowerment of the Roma women and girls.https://zenisutoorizari.org.mk/

Roma Women Initiative’s vision is for every Roma girl and woman to have basic human rights, such as health care, social rights, and economic rights, on the same level as every other human.

Roma Women Initiative’s mission is to be the leading Roma women organisation who is going to represent, educate and impower Roma girls and women. We as an organization are completing our mission by informing Roma girls and women, with social services and with legal aid aimed at Roma girls and women.

Donor Guidance Director Dora Zuniga   ; Project Amigo helps students in the state of Colima, Mexico achieve the education necessary that improves their quality of life and that of their community.        Education and literacy are powerful keys to enabling a brighter future for the world’s children, who in turn benefit the nations they live in. For nearly three decades, Project Amigo has helped rural children in Mexico continue their formal schooling up to and including college level.

In existence since 1984, and formally as a U.S. 501 (c) (3) non-profit charity since 1996, Project Amigo provides educational scholarships, material support, enrichment activities and preventive and remedial health care to disadvantaged children and youth in Colima state.  Volunteer Work Weeks based at our head-quarters in the beautiful hillside village of Cofradía de Suchitlán allow volunteers from developed countries to engage in humanitarian service and become both friends and sponsors of Mexican children and youth seeking the many advantages of education.

https://www.projectamigo.org/

@projectamigo

Hear from George & Will, volunteers from the UK, working in Roatan through Project Trust. They share their experience volunteering for a year with PIER: Partners in Education Roatan. The school where they’ve been volunteering models the impact of teaching English over the year to the kids. “You grow so much personally, while meaningfully impacting others. I’ve learned more in 1 year than 5 years in my own country!”

They encourage volunteers to join in https://www.pierroatan.org/

https://projecttrust.org.uk/volunteering-opportunities/

https://www.wavesfordevelopment.org/

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Projects that Rotary is doing on island - with Book distribution to schools and renovation of Hope Haven (orphanage); delivery of wheelchairs.....more to come

• #RotaryInternational; #Rotaryclubofambergriscaye

As a musician, Rachel offered to host a concert, as a fundraising effort for hurricane victims. The funds raised through Episcopal Relief and Development will be distributed to hurricane victims who are still struggling - months later - to rebuild their lives. Listen to her powerful story of “saying YES” to make a difference with the gifts you are given. 

Event: January 18, 2025 at Ch

Episcopal Relief & Development is the compassionate response of The Episcopal Church to human suffering in the world. Hearing God's call to seek and serve Christ in all persons and to respect the dignity of every human being, Episcopal Relief & Development serves to bring together the generosity of Episcopalians and others with the needs of the world. Episcopal Relief & Development provides relief in times of disaster and promotes sustainable development by identifying and addressing the causes of suffering. For the full statement, please visit www.episcopalrelief.org/who-we-are/mission-and-mandate

https://www.episcopalrelief.org

https://www.episcopalrelief.org/press-resources/photo-gallery/

https://www.episcopalrelief.org/what-you-can-do/volunteer/great-ideas-to-help-make-a-difference/

Steve Frantzich, President of Books for International Goodwill (BIG), shares the history, purpose and milestones of this organization. Books for International Goodwill's primary purpose is to provide books to underserved populations in the U.S. and abroad. They send "a library in a box" with 16,000 books in a container. The ultimate goal is to increase literacy and improve living conditions. They’ve shipped 10 million books around the world over the past 30 years! Join their efforts https://big-books.org to make a local and global impact with literacy.

#Rotaryclub #literacy

https://big-books.org/

Ms. Torres shares the socio-economic challenges that this school addresses. 

The school was built over marshes and lagoons in support of a community that had no access to school. She shares how volunteers play a vital role in supporting students’  academic progress in their community. They welcome volunteers, so join us in a retreat or on your own, to make a difference. 

As a Retreat Coordinator, Inna Bell interviews Aileen Hale to learn the story behind her Travel with Purpose Podcast. LIsten to the “how and why’ behind Travel with Purpose. Discover the background…and Dr. Hale shares the history of how she has led purposeful retreats. With so many options, why not consider a “retreat with a purpose” - choose from Belize to Roatan, Honduras, and El Salvador. Each retreat has unique service projects and cultural excursions. Join us! 

Watermark Belize Hotel believes that every guest has the power to make a positive impact. Their philanthropic initiative offers more than just a Belize vacation; it’s an opportunity for meaningful contribution to their community. Discover the three programs that empower you to create lasting change in the lives of locals during your Belize getaway. Pack for a Purpose! https://thewatermarkbelize.com/hotel/philanthropy/

At Watermark Belize Hotel, we believe that every guest has the power to make a positive impact. Through a commitment to the San Pedro communities and participation in the Muy’Ono Resorts’ Travel Better initiative, your stay becomes more than just a Belize vacation; it’s an opportunity for meaningful contribution. Discover the three programs that empower you to create lasting change in the lives of locals during your Belize getaway.

We are proud members of Pack for a Purpose, an initiative that allows travelers like you to make a lasting impact in the community at your travel destination. If you save just a few kilos of space in your suitcase and take supplies for the projects we support in need, you’ll make a priceless impact in the lives of our local children and families. 

https://thewatermarkbelize.com/hotel/philanthropy/

Hear from Anne Marie Moquin, Founder & Executive Director of Beaches Go Green, which focuses on Environmental education and awareness. 

. She was inspired to start this organization from viewing the film The Plastic Ocean. Anne Marie is a testimony to how someone who cares, can do something about it and truly make a difference! Learn ways you too can contribute and engage in educational activities having a deep impact in schools and communities.  

https://www.beachesgogreen.org

Holy Cross has  launched a vocational training initiative, starting with culinary skills, to expand vocational training on the island. aiming to have a transformative impact in their community.  https://www.spicebz.com 

El Salvador's Hope is a ministry dedicated to reaching the children and families in El Salvador. They address the needs of the poorest communities and those in the streets of San Salvador. www.elsalvadorshope.org

Listen to an expert retreat leader, coach, and mentor Jen Mons dive into types of retreats and ways to design retreats with community service, as a key feature.  Jen supports women through teaching a ‘retreat blueprint’. She mentions the importance of outsourcing expertise. Create-connections.net customizes retreats & trips, working alongside nonprofits to build community.  Follow us and learn how you may be impacted and have an impact while you travel. 

Jenmons.com; 

@jenmons ;

thebodyandsoul wisdom podcast

Hear from Pedro Salazar, about the impacts of Amigos del Mar, in Tierra Bomba, Colombia. Listen to ways they are making great differences in this community, offering English, surfing, other activities to transform lives. They create numerous opportunities for the future of these children and their families. Come volunteer to see first-hand; or contribute from afar.

https://amigosdelmar.org

Hear from Diane Downing, a volunteer with Amistad Mission, Bolivia. 

She shares the tremendous impact of providing a family home for children who otherwise would be in state institutions, often separated from siblings. Amistad also engages in preventative work to address root causes of broken families. Hear about their innovative programs to address the root causes of  community needs.

https://www.amistadmission.org

Pasitos por El Salvador is a school for the kids working in the streets. Many of them do not have the opportunity to go to regular school because their families, including the children, work in the streets washing windshields, begging, and selling food. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066449177562&mibextid=ZbWKwL

Hear Julia Sullivan share her wealth of experience with over 20 years of traveling to Cuba. She shares the beauty of the Cuban people and the value of supportive relationships. Hear about the challenges, as well as the impacts with Friends of Cuba. You can even help by sending food online water purification systems

https://www.friendsofeccuba.org

Donate: 

Supermarket23: https://www.supermarket23.com/en/

Listen to a Culinary Chef, Gaynor Grant, share about SPICE:  San Pedro Institute of Culinary Education. This initiative brings basic culinary education to the island, providing professional training  for hotel and restaurant work. 

https://www.spicebz.com

SPICE Culinary school

Holy Cross Anglican School, established in 2006 as the first tuition-free primary school in San Pedro, has significantly impacted Ambergris Caye by providing essential education to children who previously had no access to primary schooling. Supported by the Anglican Archdiocese of Belize, the school serves 425 students and is the second largest primary school on the island. However, only 30% of children in San Pedro complete high school, highlighting the need for further educational support and vocational training. Most students prefer to stay on the island, but lack the skills for meaningful employment, mainly available in tourism-related vocations. To address this, Holy Cross is launching a vocational training initiative, starting with culinary skills training.

https://www.spicebz.com/about-us#Overview

Steve Weiss

steve@nutriquest.com

Collaboration w/ Believe in Belize 

Hear from Will Mosby, the Founder of Street Cents, which works in underserved communities in the U.S. and abroad. They focus on teaching soft & hard skills for engineering. They work with international partners to deliver technical equipment, such as computers. Will served as the technical liaison with Belize in Believe for computer distribution and capacitation for use in schools. Discover the value of collaborations to make great impact in global communities. 

Street Cents

https://streetcents.org

https://believeinbelize.org

To provide nurturing Christian family environments for vulnerable Bolivian children to grow to independent adulthood and to strengthen families in crisis to establish loving and stable homes.

https://www.amistadmission.org

Hear the impressions of Cuba from Robin & Brad, a couple from Florida, who traveled to Trinidad with 2 other couples. They brought suitcases of medical supplies, clothing, and more to donate to those in most need. Listen to their ‘eye opening’ experience, and perspectives gained through living with the locals. 

Medical supply donations

Listen to Holly’s experience, participating in a

Mission Clubs trip, with her family. Mission Clubs is an International Boys and Girls Club, serving students ages 6-18 in an after school program, based in Panama.

Hear the beauty and magic of meeting the kids they sponsor and the impact of these relationships. You can sponsor a child too! Join us to make an impact. 

 The club provides structured programming including Homework Help, English classes Art, Music, STEM, Sports, Bible Study and Youth Development Specialists to help with goal setting. In addition to traditional Boys and Girls Club programming, we also provide a hot meal and transportation to and from the students school and homes. https://www.missionclubs.org/our-clubs

Hear from Paul Martinez,the CEO of both Boys & Girls Club of Florida, and Panama! Having attended clubs as a child in Harlem, NY, Paul knows 1st-hand the need for support of kids, offering both hope and numerous activities. Learn ways you can sponsor a child and be a part of impacting their lives. 

Boys and Girls Club of Caisan, Panama began with 30 students in July 2017 and has since grown to more than 200 students, served daily.

https://www.missionclubs.org/our-clubs

We imagine a better Belize by focusing on improving the quality of life for individuals, communities, and the environment by supporting causes that promote learning, wellness, engagement, and culture through their 4 Pillars)” Health, Education, environment & community. https://believeinbelize.org

Hear the story of how Kristin Keen founded Rethreaded in Jacksonville, Florida. Having worked in India, supporting women to rebuild their lives after trafficking, she knew what to do upon returning to Florida. Listen to details of the Rethreaded process of rebuilding lives with a powerful community.’’ http://www.rethreaded.org

Time to hear from our volunteers! Listen to the impact Scarlet shares with her sisters, who volunteered in an after school English class. 

 She shares opportunities of making a difference in the community. Hear how the experience changed her approach to traveling, getting ‘behind the scenes’, to contribute and connect with the locals.

http://www.Firsthandaid.org

Hear from a traveler - Jovan- share his first experience in Cuba – from Vinales to Havana! He shares his highlights - from swimming in caves, visiting tobacco and coffee plantations in the gorgeous mountains of Vinales to touring in the old Chevrolet cars to the House Hemingway, in Havana. He shares how enriching the experience was being able to connect with locals in a unique way, donating medical supplies and touring with local guides. Schedule a trip today! 

www.firsthandaid.org

Hear from Spencer, the Founder and President of 6:8 Ministries (Do justly, Love mercy, Walk humbly). They are involved in addressing significant community needs in an impoverished area of Costa Rica, including education, food insecurity, and homelessness. You can sponsor a child to attend school for a year; volunteer to teach English and/or participate in a feeding center. Get involved: 

https://www.68ministries.net/mission-trips.html

Hear from 2 expats living in Belize, address a critical need(June 13 Recording *Sequest 63)  I on an island of Belize. Felecia & Laurie, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Ambergris Caye and http://www.riverofhumanity.com, they’ve taken the initiative to create the Island Donors Squad , to get donations for a blood bank. This is extremely important 

Rotary was founded in late February, 2024.  Felecia, a member of the Rotary Club of Ambergris Caye had initiated some meetings in learning about on-island blood donations pre-COVID.  It was in this search that Laurie, aka blogger tacogirl, presented her with a 3 ring binder presentation from November 2022 detailing some plans to advance and strengthen blood collection and processing services on the island of Ambergris Caye.

https://www.instagram.com/esther.belize/

https://est-her.org/programs/shine-belize/est-her-artisan-program/

EST-Her Belize is an amazing organization, on the island of Ambergris Caye, they’ve created an artisan and mentoring project to help women with financial independence. Hear more about the needs of these women and how you can support the transformation of their lives. 

Purchase one of their bracelets, directly connected to the created by these ladies. You can purchase in N.Carolina too!