Eradication of Poverty Day. Traveller, your contribution counts!

Eradication of Poverty Day. Traveller, your contribution counts!

Child in one of the Kenya projects.

Poverty is not a question of economics, but a human rights issue. Its causes are complex, but since TumainiWe are convinced that, with a little political will, eradicating it is possible. And what does this have to do with travel? A lot. Read on!

Women on the banks of the Ganges in VaranasiIndia.

Poverty in figures

Worldwide, more than 800 million people still live on less than $1.25 a day and many lack access to adequate food, clean water and sanitation, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Did you know that the 1% richer of the world's population owns more wealth than the 99% remaining? In other words: eight people have the same wealth as the poorest half of humanity (3.6 billion people). The inequality is brutal. And it affects to a greater extent many countries in the world's poorest countries. Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Travel generates wealth. Let's make sure it reaches the local population.

Is it possible to help eradicate poverty by travelling?

Tourism is one of the most powerful industries in existence. It generates jobs and wealth, so why not make sure it benefits local communities?

In 2017, international tourist arrivals increased by 7%. 1,322 million people travelled that year, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. In 2016 alone, these tourists generated 1,220 billion dollars. The problem is what we know as "revenue leakage".. Travellers spend their money on large international chains, which keep the profits. Sometimes only 10% of everything we spend on a trip reaches the local community.

Peru has one of the highest rates of child labour in Latin America.

Responsible travel

If we travel more consciously and responsibly, we can achieve great changes. From Tumaini, we encourage you to:

• Sleep in small local accommodation rather than in a large international hotel or resort. 
• Dining in family restaurantsinstead of fast-food chains. 
• Buy your gifts in small craft shops. 
• Make your excursions in local agencies. 
• You get around by public transport or privately owned and managed by local communities. 

Child in one of the projects we collaborate with at Kenya.

Solidarity travel

In Tumaini we believe that a more supportive way of travelling is possible. That's why we promote solidarity travel, where we Travellers volunteer with small NGOs in Southern countries.. Through these experiences, volunteers support projects that aim to empower local people to find employment or become self-sufficient.

• In McLeod GanjIndia, the volunteers give English classes Tibetan refugees in an NGO that helps them to integrate into the labour market. 
• In Varanasialso India, we support a fair trade project. Women of low caste and low income sew in a workshop in dignified conditions. Meanwhile, their children play and learn in a solidarity school.
• In Cambodiawe collaborate with a free English language school for children and young people with few resources. This language is key to their access to well-paid jobs. 
• In KenyaThe travellers volunteer with an NGO that works with homeless children and young people. They are given sewing, cooking and housekeeping classes so that they can find work in the future. 
• In Boliviaa project forms a people with disabilities for employment: ceramics, paper recycling, sewing, computers, baking. 

Traveller, you can do much more than you think to eradicate poverty, will you join the challenge?