What is a solidarity trip?
When one tries to translate the word “solidaria” into English, you realize that the subtleties of languages go beyond the words that compose them. Just as the term “snow” has dozens of nuances in some parts of the globe, other concepts do not exist as such depending on the language (for example, here is a very good article by Inma Martin in the Miau Noir, about “the rarest words in other languages”).
The definition of the RAE: “Circumstantial adherence to the cause or enterprise of others”… a bit too pragmatic for us. In RuntheWorld we did not fit in at all and it made us reflect on what we want to convey when we deal with “purposeful travel”, “solidarity adventures”, “sustainable tourism” or “experiences with impact”. What is the meaning of solidarity or sustainability for us?
There are many ways to live and many ways to travel. We put everything we liked into one project: travel, adventure, laughter, sports, nature, new friends, authenticity and something that positively impacts our planet. We conceptualize very special trips in parts of the world where you don’t necessarily think about escaping (often because they are Southern countries). We coordinate with those who know them best: those who live their reality, with their people and their richnesses different from those we find in the West.
Exploring Madagascar with the Agua de Coco Foundation, crossing Liberia and Sierra Leone by Bike with Street Child, or walking a 20km trek in the Colombian Jungle are some of the experiences we offer. In reality the merit is theirs (NGOs or social institutions). The organization provides between 6 and 18 days of adventure depending on the destination that the programs humbly allow us to participate in along with preparing spectacular tours, is their idea and has been for a long time.
At RuntheWorld we propose you to participate as an individual, as a family or as a team. So let’s go! If you feel like it, as long as you come with a positive attitude and a desire to live something different, this is an experience you will never forget. We think that not all good things are in NGOs and bad things in companies, that from a fun experience that brings us a personal benefit we can also contribute to social change, that every stone we take to the building of sustainability serves and that we must enjoy the road to it.
Beyond the memories we take home, the RuntheWorld experiences aim to give visibility to the projects of our partners, in their field, where they operate every day. Visibility for your eyes and for those who love you and surround you at home, and who trust your testimony, your experience. “Financing” is the second key word. Raising funds for them, the projects you have discovered first hand. Companies can participate by sponsoring or offering financial support to the team that represents them (matchfunding), logistical support (organization of an event to raise funds) or social benefits (solidarity holidays).
And so that your trip as a private individual has maximum impact, the crowdfunding platform migranodearenoa opens a space where for each experience, each traveler can launch a challenge in favor of a non-profit organization. You just have to share it, make sense with your testimony and make (for example) your trek in Colombia really help future Colombian Native leaders.
To conclude the first article of our blog, we will leave you with Homer’s inspiring prayer that comes close to what we understand in the word solidarity: “Work is bearable when many share fatigue,” and we add that it can even be fun.
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1 de December de 2022