Every December, the travel blogging community rallies together around a common cause, Passports with Purpose.
In 2010, we collectively helped to raise over $64,000 to literally build a village in India. Construction is currently underway,
The year before that, it was close to $30,000 to build a school in rural Cambodia (a country that touched my heart immensely when I visited).
This year, our goal is even grander: raise $80,000 to build two libraries in Zambia!
It’s easy to take basic education and access to books for granted in the United States. I know I did growing up.
But traveling around the world, seeing how others live, especially those in rural areas and poor neighborhoods, has opened my eyes to the great inequalities that exist.
This year, we all have the chance to make a difference for some kids in Zambia.
And there’s no charity organization I trust more with my donation than Passports with Purpose, which is working in conjunction with Room to Read for this year’s project.
How to Donate
Passports with Purpose makes it FUN to donate money.
In addition to a few sponsors that get the ball rolling, dozens of travel bloggers have sourced prizes that each donor can bid on in $10 increments.
All the prizes are travel-related, from electronics like the new Kindle Fire to hotel and spa vouchers worth thousands of dollars.
This year, I’m offering a free Premium membership to Travel Blog Success, my online course and community for helping travelers build, promote, and make money from their blogs. For a $10 bid, you have the chance to win a lifetime membership normally worth $129.
In 2010, I donated $100, splitting my 10 bids between an iPad 2 and an $800 voucher for HomeAway, a worldwide apartment rental site and corporate sponsor of Passports with Purpose.
To my surprise, I actually won the voucher!
Just to be crystal clear, I donated $100, and in return received a voucher valued at $800.
The luxury, 2-bedroom apartment rental I enjoyed in Lima, Peru
A few weeks ago I finally put my voucher to use, which afforded me a one-week stay in a 9th floor luxury apartment in Lima’s upscale Miraflores district.
Needless to say, I’ll be donating generously again this year!
Of course winning a prize is not guaranteed, however all donors can rest assured that their money will be put to good use.
Donations are being accepted through the end of December 16, 2011 (PST), and prize winners will be notified December 23, 2011.
Regardless of whether your motivation is to win big, or help the kids, I encourage you to donate at least $10. 
About the Author:
Dave is the author of 1533 posts on Go Backpacking.
Dave (Editor-in-Chief) blogged his way around the world from 2007-2009, and then started Travel Blog Success to teach others how to do the same. When not writing, he can be found salsa dancing in Medellin. Follow him on Twitter @rtwdave or look for him on Google+
The Travel Blog Success community offers practical resources and personal support to help you build a better travel blog.
Whether you treat blogging as a hobby, or dream of building a location independent business, you'll learn what's required to create a name for yourself in the online travel world.
Benefits of Joining:
- Personal support from Dave, including site critiques and tips on negotiating advertising deals.
- Ability to learn from others' mistakes, and save yourself time, energy and money.
- Chance to network with other travel bloggers of all levels, from around the world.
3 Comments
Sounds like a great idea. Combination lottery and donating to a good cause. It’s my birthday in a few days, so I think I’ll make a donation as a present to myself!
Really great to see that Zambia is getting some love from the travel blogging community. Great idea and it always make it fun/easy to donate when there’s a carrot at the end of the stick. Is HomeAway giving away another voucher this year? I’ve seen a few places where I could spend $800 happily.
Yes, HomeAway is actually giving away a $1000 voucher this year!