Humanitarian Trips - Traveling with a purpose

Humanitarian Trips – Traveling with a purpose

Have you ever done a humanitarian trip? Do you want to?

When I first came across Global Education Philanthropists, I was drawn in. There has been this pull that I can’t even explain. That’s what I have said over and over. “I just can’t even begin to explain it.” It took me far longer than it should have to realize that it was the spirit telling me that I was supposed to be a part of this.

In the beginning, I met with Cammy Bowker, founder, and CEO of Global EP, multiple times. And every single time, I cried. I cried because slavery still exists. I cried for the missing children, for the families who don’t have answers, for the victims of human trafficking and the horrific reality of what that really means. I cried because I knew I had to join the fight. I knew that I had to do my part, however small, to make a difference. I cried because I knew this is exactly what I was supposed to do.

I cried because, for the first time in a very long time, I felt like I had direction. I felt like I had a purpose.

Board of directors

When I was asked to be on the Board of Directors for this amazing non-profit, I was both extremely flattered and determined to share Global E.P.’s mission with the world. To educate others on the reality of human trafficking, and to be part of humanitarian travel with the purpose of making a real difference in the world.

If you’re like me, most of us tend to live in a bubble. A bubble that tells us that yes, human trafficking exists, but not “where I live”, not in THIS safe community. Not here. I’m here to tell you that couldn’t be further from the truth.

As troubling as the issue is, it can be hard for the reality to sink in – especially for those of us who don’t see the effects of trafficking directly and instead, encounter the issue through the seemingly far away stories we hear about on the news or social media. That’s why being educated is key.

The real numbers can help us gain some perspective.

According to The International Labour Organization, there are approximately 40.3 million victims of human trafficking globally.

Of these millions of victims, 25% are children, 75% are female, and 81% are trapped in some form of forced labor. The 24.9 million people exploited for forced labor include those caught in one of the most common forms of trafficking: sex trafficking. Women and girls are overwhelmingly affected by the exploitation, making up 99% of victims in the commercial sex industry.

According to the Department of Defense, human trafficking is the world’s fastest-growing crime. Sex trafficking alone generates an estimated $99 million per year. Of those who fall victim to trafficking, only 1% are rescued. Yes, you read that right. ONE percent. For this reason, prevention is absolutely crucial.

“No one is free until we are all free“
– Martin Luther King

The first step? TALKING ABOUT IT. Ignorance is not bliss, nor does it prepare us, or our youth for the dangers that surround us every single day. Education is key.

This amazing non-profit organization strategically fights human trafficking worldwide through education. But how?

Domestically

Global E.P. educates communities and families to safeguard current and future generations from the world’s fastest-growing crime: human trafficking. Global E.P. provides resources, education, and opportunities for community members to join the fight.

Internationally

Global E.P., via Expedition Global, organizes resources for aftercare centers worldwide. It brings together volunteers from various backgrounds, who teach villagers skills and provide humanitarian service. Volunteers can sign up for an amazing and life-changing expedition to villages worldwide. On these expeditions, volunteers teach self-reliance principles, vocational trades, or small business skills. Those with professional qualifications can hold medical, dental, or mental health clinics. Don’t have one of these professional skills? It doesn’t matter.

Expedition Global - Global EP Love knows no borders quote

We need you

Did you know there are babies in other countries that don’t even get the chance to be held? Babies who are not held, nuzzled, and hugged enough can stop growing, and if the situation lasts long enough, even die. Researchers discovered this when trying to figure out why some orphanages had infant mortality rates around 30-40%.

That means that even if your only sole purpose in joining one of our trips is to hold babies, you could save a life.

More recently, in an editorial on the Savelyev case, the Times said that orphanages were merely “overcrowded, with too few staff members and resources.”

It doesn’t matter your background, your skills, or lack thereof. We need you.

Travel is the one thing you can spend money on that actually makes you richer.

It’s no secret that I am obsessed with traveling. The concept of traveling with a real purpose, the opportunity to change someone’s life while also changing your own, is beyond any real words I could ever write. When I was introduced to humanitarian trips with Global E.P., I couldn’t get enough of it. I knew I was going to go on every single trip. The how didn’t matter.

The Rambling Raccoon roams

I’ve honestly never been so excited for anything in my entire life. I have the opportunity to attend every single humanitarian trip in 2020. At one point this year, I will also be leading the trips! That means if you decide to go on any of the upcoming life-changing humanitarian trips, you’ll be doing it with me!

As I said previously, I have cried so much because of the draw this organization has had on me from the beginning, so why stop now? Let me share with you some of the impactful images from some of the past trips with Global E.P., so you can see why for yourself.

Ready to do a humanitarian trip?

Here is the list of upcoming trips in 2020:

March 7-15th

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

MARCH 15th-22nd

Ambergris Caye, BELIZE

April 19-26th

Lake Arenal, Costa Rica

May (Date TBD)

Zion Survivor Retreat, Utah, USA

An opportunity to bring survivors of human trafficking together in a place of refuge to heal and build lasting relationships with others who have had similar experiences. We are in need of both sponsorships for each survivor to attend and volunteers with expertise in therapy, hiking, cooking, and other related areas that are willing to donate their time to this amazing cause.

If you can find it in your heart to donate to this event, please do so here:

Donate

June 23rd-30th

Dublin, Ireland

July 20th-27th

San Juan, Puerto Rico

There will be more trips planned for 2020, so stay tuned!

Don’t want to travel, but want to donate?

Where your donations go:

100% of proceeds help those in crisis.

•$5 donation buys 5 meals.

•$50 donation buys a full aftercare kit for rescued victims of human trafficking or can fund a child’s education for a full month.

•$100 donation pays a school teacher’s salary for an entire month.

•$250 donation can feed an entire school of children for an entire day, or could sponsor a single student for nearly a full school year.

All donations are tax-deductible.