Backpackerz BUZZ: Issue 60

Here are just a few ways that national HI associations have taken it upon themselves to initiate programs that foster peace-building, education and community development in their countries.

England & Wales
DoIt4Real – YHA England & Wales runs 23 summer camps for youths aged 10 to 17 every year, with themes ranging from survival skills to film and media training. YHA also started Learn4Real—overnight educational programs for school groups and Postellers—weekend activity-based getaways outside of London for youths over 10.

These programs are run alongside Breaks4Kids—a YHA organization that offers financial assistance to youths from low-income households who would otherwise be unable to participate in these programs.
www.yha.org.uk, www.doit4real.co.uk

Bolivia
HI-Bolivia has just started a new project in response to demand for volunteer opportunities in the country, particularly from Canada and Europe. The Alcala hostel in El Villar, Bolivia, has been established specifically to aid community development with the help of “voluntourists.” The program, aimed at youths between 18 and 30, includes one to two weeks of Spanish lessons in nearby Sucre and then two to six months of work with schools, libraries, seniors groups, ecological projects and more. The program also incorporates and encourages ample time to explore the rest of the country.
www.hostellingbolivia.org

Canada
HI-Canada’s Girl Guide program was launched in 2006 at HI-Vancouver Downtown. This program allows Girl Guide troupes to complete the Discover Hostelling Challenge by staying at a hostel, learning about international budget travel and earning a badge. Girls take part in a number of activities, such as planning a travel budget and itinerary, meeting other travellers and using the hostel facilities such as the kitchen and other common areas. In addition, Hostelling International offers a presentation called Hostelling 101 and interactive games that involve packing a backpack and using a Lonely Planet guidebook.
www.hihostels.ca

Scotland
YHA Scotland’s Give Us a Break program provides funding opportunities to disadvantaged youth so they can participate in educational, social, cultural and recreational programs at Scottish hostels. These programs can tie in with school curriculum or simply provide a fun getaway in a rural or city setting. They say, “By introducing new ideas and developing self-confidence we aim to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to break the cycle of exclusion and to enjoy an alternative quality of life.”
www.syha.org.uk

New Zealand
YHA New Zealand has been working alongside the Department of Conservation for years. Together, they’re behind the YHA New Zealand Incubation Facility at the Kiwi & Birdlife Park in Queenstown. This facility works toward protecting the Haast Tokoeka Kiwi, a rare breed of the strange-looking bird, which was at risk of going extinct. They’ve also launched the Green Footprint Project with the help of various environmental groups. The joint effort aims to restore a bellbird habitat on reserves near Christchurch and, in the process, reduce travellers’ carbon footprint. Last year, the program succeeded in offsetting 330 tons of carbon.
www.yha.co.nz

Kenya
The Thompson Falls Hostel in Kenya is offering a volunteer and exchange program with community projects in the area. Volunteers can work with an agricultural youth group to grow vegetables, help with conservation activities like tree planting and water conservation, or teach nursery school children. Volunteers get a unique opportunity to share and learn about local culture and food, as well as visit nearby attractions, including the Thompson Falls and high-altitude Lake Ol Bolossat with its resident wildlife.
www.yhak.org

This entry was posted on Saturday, October 13th, 2007 at 12:31 am and is filed under Hostelling International. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site. Add to del.icio.us.