A charity campaign initiated by fellow travel bloggers in a bid to raise funds for the less fortunate, Passports with Purpose is officially going into full swing today. This year, I’m joining them in this campaign , spreading the word to support a good cause.
Last year, Passports with Purpose raised over $7000 dollars for Heifer International. In 2009, we’ve extended our goals and hope you’ll join us again for a second round of giving.
Help Build a School in Cambodia
This November, we will be supporting American Assistance for Cambodia (AAfC), an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving opportunities for the youth and rural poor in Cambodia. Our goal for 2009 is to raise $13,000, so we can build a school in rural Cambodia!
- Learn more about American Assistance for Cambodia
- Read a personal account of participation in the program by the New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof.
How It Works
As of today (30 November), you will be able to see a full list of prizes on the Passports With Purpose website, and each one will link back to a full description of the prizes on the blogger’s website.
Your purchase of a $10 raffle ticket will help support Passports with Purpose and ultimately build a school. For each $10 in donations that you make to AAfC, you will will be entered to win a prize (or prizes) of your choice.
The fundraiser begins on November 30th and closes on December 21. All proceeds go directly to AAfC.
How You Can do Your Part
Buy A Raffle Ticket:
Donate $10 on the Passports with Purpose website and each donation enters you into one of the prize drawings. Simply select the item you’d like to enter from the full list of prizes and donate by PayPal.
Some of the attractive prizes include Tom Bihn backpacks, FLIP Video Camcorder and 2 Night Suite Stay at NYC’s Roosevelt Hotel, check the full list for more.
Donate a Prize:
Interested in donating a prize? Here are the prize guidelines, interested parties please contact me.
- Any item of interest to readers will be deeply appreciated.
- All prizes must be a $75 value or more.
- Electronics, photography gear and other name brand prizes did better than niche products.
Why We Need Your Help
Speaking from personal experiences, I visited a school in rural Cambodia in 2008 and got to know the children, learning about their environment. Children there are deeply in need of proper facilities and infrastructure. At times, almost 40 students are squeezed into a tiny classroom fit for half the size.
Problems like lack of trained teachers, educational funds and structured education system continue to plague these rural areas. Building a school would be an excellent start to improving their lives. The process is slow, but by putting in relentless efforts, we could be getting there step by step. With everyone’s combined contribution, we might be making a difference to many of their lives.
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Related Posts:
- Passports with Purpose
- American Assistance for Cambodia
- Nicholas Kristof’s personal account of participation in the program
- The Permanent Scars of War – Siem Reap, Cambodia
