Connecting with self and others through contribution.
While Experience Sumatra offers an amazing adventure and cultural experience for those who join us a component of all our programs contributes to the local community and this is an integral part of our experiences. We are always on the lookout for a local community or environmental project that we can assist with and a component of each package contributes directly to these projects while we are there and it is amazing that many participants take it upon themselves to contribute in other ways to the community as a sign of appreciation during their experience.
On the first day of each Sumatran Experience we visit the local school and village to meet the locals. This has become an important aspect of each of our experiences as it not only helps provide much needed resources for the school but it helps connect us with the people of the community we are visiting. On many occassions we have visited the school, to the delight of the students and teachers, loaded with much needed school resources and sporting equipment which the teachers always making a point of having us officially present them to the school. It's a priviledge to be able to assist in providing these items and the appreciation felt by the school is obvious as they do not receive much, if any, government assistance. The hospitality we are shown is moving and the gift of giving is heart warming.
The experiences we have in Sumatra would not be possible if it were not for the help and hospitality of the locals, including our Sumatran Team. Our experiences are all about connecting people, and being able to meet and spend time with the locals adds a truly authentic dynamic to the experience, a sense of connection and contribution... and it is amazing what you can learn about yourself simply by experiencing how someone else lives and connecting with people whose lives are so different from our own.
It is these connections that bring cultures together and helps us all realise that with all our differences how alike we really all are.
I am constantly amazed by the generosity of our hosts, and equally by our participants who often feel compelled to give more to the community that hosts us during our visits.
Like the time a participant bought a blackberry phone for our guide, so he could use it for his business, because he helped her overcome a personal fear that came up for her during her experience.
The truck load of rocks a “bootcamper” bought, on top of our group contribution, so the locals could stop their road being washed away in the flooding rains.
The land/ house that was purchased with the help of a participate so that an office and accommodation would be available for a local operator to run his business.
The 16 year old bootcamper who spent the week tubing rivers, rafting, climbing volcanoes, motor biking through villages, participating in fitness, games and sports and when asked what was the most memorable experience of the week for him he said visiting the school where we donated items (including sports equipment, books, pencils etc), where he had the opportunity to throw a frisby and kick a soccer ball with the kids…. Magic!!
The donations made, by participants and some people who have never even been to Sumatra, to earthquake victims and donations of clothing for children affected by the tsunami.
Donations made to allow a local village girl the opportunity to have facial reconstruction surgery, due to a birth deformity, funds which are now being held in trust, as due to the families spiritual beliefs, the surgery could not go ahead at the time. When the child turns 18 the funds will be made available for her to assist with her life or will be made available for the family to go ahead with the surgery if they reconsider in the meantime. Even though the surgery has not yet been able to proceed the people who donated the funds are more than happy for them to be held to be used at a later date to help this child.
Experience Sumatra would not be the same without this integral aspect and focus on connecting with the community and contribution. It is part of why we do what we do and what these experiences are all about - “Connecting people from diverse cultural backgrounds”
If contribution to someone with less opportunities than yourself is of value to you join us for an amazing experience in Sumatra. Meet the locals with us and experience the hospitality and culture while at the same time contributing to the local community - and who knows you might even learn a little more about yourself at the same tiime.
"let the experience begin!"
