A trip to Zambia in a few weeks is just such a trip.

Very recently, Expedia stepped up and offered to support Passports with Purpose by, among other things, sending the co-founders to Zambia for a ribbon cutting ceremony at one of the libraries for which we (and by we, I mean many of you!) helped fund during our 2011 fundraiser.

What’s PwP?
Passports with Purpose, for those of you new to this whole thing, is the travel bloggers fundraiser. I’m a co-founder of PwP along with Debbie Dubrow of DeliciousBaby, Michelle Duffy of WanderMom and Pam Mandel of Nerds Eye View. Shortly after forming, Meg Paynor joined our group to lead our PR efforts.

Now in its 5th year, we harness the collective power of our community to raise money during a 2 – 3 week fundraiser to support projects, usually in developing countries.

In our first year, we raised $7,500 for Heifer International. Buoyed by our initial success, we took on a larger project and, the following year, raised $35,000 to build a school in Cambodia. Year 3 brought in $65,000 to build 25 homes in South India for a dalit (untouchable) community and last year we raised $90,000 to build 2 libraries in Zambia through Room to Read.

The fundraiser runs during a short time period (generally 2 weeks) in late November/early December and people are encouraged to donate in $10 increments in what is officially called a sweepstakes. They choose prizes they’d like to win that are hosted by nearly 100 bloggers and donate $10 for each chance to win. While we do have sponsors who provide a cash infusion, the vast majority of the funds raised come from these $10 donations.

The co-founders have managed to visit programs we’ve funded these last few years, with Michelle Duffy cutting the ribbon at the school in Cambodia and me stopping in at the Passports Village in India last year.

While we are officially the ones working on the backend details of the fundraiser, we absolutely recognize that it takes a community to make all this happen. There are hundreds of travel bloggers who support us by procuring prizes and helping spread the word; public relations people are integral in connecting us with hotels and attractions to donate prizes; manufacturers of travel gear and electronics are generous in their donations; and of course, donors enthusiastically send in their $10 because they believe in what we do. Without any one piece, we wouldn’t be so successful.

Zambia
Now, Michelle, Debbie and I are off to Zambia to see one of the libraries funded by our 2011 efforts.

As for Zambia… well, I’ve never been to Africa. This trip has come up so quickly and had to be mushed in between my already full travel schedule, that I’ve hardly had time to look at a map to see where we’re going. (Not totally true – we’re flying into Lusaka and the library is located about 1.5 hours from there.)

I’m thrilled, really humbled, to be representing our supporters at large to see first-hand, and share with you all, the power of how an online community can make real change in the lives of those less fortunate.

We’ll be on the ground in Zambia for less than a week from May 8 – 13. Check back here in mid-May for details or on the PwP website.

Travel Well,

Beth

As a side note – the Passports with Purpose founders get email alerts each time a donation is made. There were so many last night that my email got shut down by my provider because they thought I was getting spammed. Really, isn’t it cool that you folks were donating at such a fast and furious pace that it shut down my email?

Even after 4 years of this, I still get goosebumps when I think about how Passports with Purpose has unfolded into a fundraiser that almost has a life of its own.

Debbie, Meg, Michelle, Pam and myself do a lot of behind the scenes work which generally starts in January, but ultimately, it’s every one of you that makes this a success…

Travel blogging community – Whether you are hosting a prize, matching donations, creating an incentive program or posting about PwP on Facebook and Twitter, every mention is important and helps further the exposure and spurs on donations. THANK YOU!

Companies and properties that donate prizes – Whether you provided a backpack, an overnight hotel stay or a getaway package, every single prize adds to the effort. We’re told year over year that our prizes keep getting better – and they do. THANK YOU!

Donors – Perhaps you know one of the travel bloggers hosting a prize. Maybe you stumbled across us on Facebook or saw a media mention and just thought it was a cool way to win a trip to Costa Rica. It doesn’t matter how you came to PwP – you came, you gave, and you are the single most important reason why we raised $80,000 to build 2 libraries in Zambia.

By the way, the majority of our funds raised come directly from individual donors. Yup. Ten bucks at a time. THANK YOU!

Sponsors – These folks come in early and support us with a cash infusion to helps us toward our goal. This year we are so thrilled to have worked with Round the World with Us as our Platinum Sponsor, TravellersPoint as our Silver and HomeAway our Bronze Sponsor. Your support and faith in our abilities and this cause is greatly appreciate. THANK YOU!

A personal thanks to Debbie, Meg, Michelle and Pam. I learn from you all every day and am proud to call you friends and partners in this adventure. Reading Caitlin’s post about how we started this made me realize that if we hadn’t been fueled on a little caffeine that day this all may not have started. As I remember it, we were wrapping up a little coffee session and the idea of holding a fundraiser with the travel blogging community was one of those things that gets tossed out before a meeting ends. That one last important topic that becomes the genesis of life changing events. Now, can we all get ourselves in the same city to celebrate???

*****

While we’ve met our goal, there is still one day left to enter to win prizes! Don’t let that big old red heart slow you down. We are looking at how those additional dollars will be put to good use through Room to Read and “our” libraries in Zambia. We’ll keep you posted on those details.

Again, a slightly teary-eyed thank you from Seattle. You ALL are amazing, wonderful and fantastic. My heart is full of gratitude today for what you have contributed to make this an overwhelming success.

Travel Well,

Beth

I’ve know about RTW with Us for awhile – this family (including mom, a significant other, 3 kids and a kid’s friend) who traveled around the world raising money and supporting small and large scale projects that help orphans, earthquake survivors, children, HIV patients, abused kids and entire communities.

But, really? There’s nothing like meeting a couple of the folks behind such an effort to make you realize their complete passion for what they do. It was even more touching to hear that 12-year-old Bella was reluctant at first to pull up her roots but that she eventually came around to really enjoy the journey. She saw the immediate effects of their labors.

She gave a touching speech at the kickoff party and they showed a video of their journey.

And guess what? Old stoic here was all teared up.

So now that your heartstrings are pulled a little, I want to remind you that Passports with Purpose runs through this week only. That means you’ve got just through Friday night to donate to win any one of the most amazing prizes that have been procured for this year’s fundraiser to build 2 libraries in Zambia through Room to Read.

Click here for the full list of prizes. But here’s a sampling of some the prizes that I wish I could win (as a co-founder, I can’t enter, darnit):

My hosted prize is 5 nights on the Big Island of Hawaii split between 2 beautiful hotels: the Fairmont Orchid and the Hilton Waikoloa Village. Value: $1,692.

I’m a jewelry gal, so I’m a bit partial to this Tahitian Pearl necklace hosted by Celeste Brash at Coconut Radio. Value: $230

I’d also likely bid on the 110,000 Hyatt Gold Passport Points from Ric at Boarding Area. This would give me lots of flexibility with my travel. Value: $2,640

And I’d HAVE to place my bid for $100 in goods from Minimus hosted by Harriet Baskas at Stuck at the Airport. I love the travel-sized items you can find on Mimimus! Value: $100

I might even try for a staycation and opt for an overnight at the Andra Hotel in Seattle hosted by Sheri at PNW Journeys. Value: $269

But, man, really there’s something for everyone.

Donate for yourself. Donate with others in mind. Or share the link to the list of prizes with your friends and family. However you help us, please do. We really want to get those libraries built

Travel Well,

Beth

Related Links:
Photo of the Day: Zambia
Help Us Build Libraries!

Fast Facts:

• Official language is Bemba.
• Population 12 million.
• Average number of years children attend school is 7.
• It has a young population, with nearly 50% under the age of 14 and an average age of 16.5 years. Average life expectancy is 52.
• Landlocked country located in Southern Africa and bordered by Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi.
• Slightly larger than Texas.
• Landscape is considered high plateau with some hills and mountains.
• Dominant religion is Christianity with Hindu and Muslim closely following.

Big game wildlife is the backbone of the tourist industry in Zambia (seconded by visits to Victoria Falls). Lions, leopards, hippos, giraffes, elephants and many other animals grace the landscape.

Zambia’s future is looking up, there’s no doubt. But with a 14% unemployment rate, 64% of the population living under the poverty line and the average child going to school for just 7 years, the people could use some help, eh?

One small but significant way to help is to pop over to the Passports with Purpose website and donate your coffee allowance for the week. Or skip a meal out and choose a few prizes that you could win. Ultimately, every bit gets us closer to our goal of building 2 libraries (through Room to Read) in Zambia, one in the east and one in the south.

Don’t know about Passports with Purpose? Here’s a little primer.

As of today, we’re more than a quarter of the way to our goal with a week to go. We need your help to reach 80 grand, however. AND you could win some really amazing, fantastically cool prizes in the meantime!

Travel Well,

Beth

Related Links:
Help Us Build Libraries!

Photo credits:
South Luangwa National Park: Wikipedia
Hippos: Wikipedia
Leopard: imolcho
Boy: Unicef

I visited the Big Island for the first time this fall. The Kohala Coast to be specific. It’s the driest region of all the islands and there isn’t a better place to visit if you want to be ensure an idyllic getaway.

And, that little getaway could be yours…

This year, Passports with Purpose (of which I’m a co-founder), has a goal of $80,000 to build 2 libraries in Zambia through Room to Read.

Though we’ve had a nice jump start to our fundraising efforts with our sponsors, we can only reach our goal through the incredible generosity of the $10 donations made by readers of the more than 100 bloggers who are involved in this year’s fundraiser.

The truth of the matter is that every $10 gets us closer to our goal and you can be a part of our effort to help improve the lives of communities in Zambia.

Here’s how it works…

1) You pop on over to the Passports with Purpose site.

2) You choose your top picks(s) from a list of prizes.

3) You make a donation, in $10 increments, and choose a prize for each $10 donated.

It’s pretty simple and relatively painless.

There are a lot of prizes this year donated from companies located around the world. Take a gander through them all, make your choices and donate to get yourself in the running for the prizes you’d like to win (the fundraiser runs through December 16). Oh, and don’t forget to tell your friends and family – remember, we’re building libraries in Zambia!

What’s my prize? Well…. donate $10 (or more) and you could find yourself enjoying 5 nights on the Kohala Coast on the Big Island of Hawaii. You’ll have:

* Three nights at the Hilton Waikoloa Village
* Two nights at the Fairmont Orchid

Total value is $1,692!

Located on the Kohala Coast on the Big Island, you’re assured perfect weather nearly year-round. The Big Island is big, but not so big that you can’t get out and wander a bit – up to the cool mountains, down to the volcano over to Hilo. You can snorkel, paddle board, relax, hike… the Big Island pretty much has it all.

Fine print:
Hilton Waikoloa Village – Valid from November 30, 2011 through November 30, 2012. Subject to availability, and excludes dates of December 25, 2011 through January 3, 2012. Certificate has no cash value and may not be combined with any promotional packages. It will not be replaced in case of loss and it is not transferable.
Fairmont Orchid – Valid for stays in 2012. Certain restrictions apply, based on availability, not valid for stays between December 20, 2011-January 3, 2012 and December 20 2012-January 3, 2013.

OK, now have it. Help us build those libraries in Zambia!

Oh, and a big thank you to our sponsors who include:

Round the World with Us is a family of travelers committed to raising awareness of global issues, help people to gain a greater understanding of other cultures, and encourage people (especially youth) to see that they have the power to make a real difference in the lives of others.

Travellerspoint is one of the web’s largest and most active travel communities with members representing every country in the world.

To date, their more than 30,000 blogs have shared 175,000 stories and over 1.4 million photos.

HomeAway is the world’s leading online marketplace of vacation rentals, with sites representing more than 625,000 paid vacation rental home listings throughout more than 145 countries.

Good2Go Insurance provides a wide variety of insurance options for international and domestic travel, and for frequent and elderly travelers.