Zuvy.org Offers Responsible Vacation Options

Zuvy does not offer a full-time responsible vacation itinerary; instead, the organization suggests an “afternoon excursion” of volunteer work. Many volunteer travel options have been criticized due to the impact on the environment and the cost,  but Zuvy is more scalable and feasible than your average “build a house abroad” project. It is designed for travelers who want more than sun and sand, but don’t want to dedicate all their travel time to a volunteer organization.

Founder Sonsoles Navarro began the organization to help people see the spirit of a destination beyond well-known attractions. She believes that moving beyond sightseeing tours can turn a tourist into a traveller. Some tourists, Navarro says, think that “Mexico is a bunch of hotels with drunk spring breakers and Kenya is a place full of beautiful animals”, without having any idea what goes on outside the walls of the resort. Navarro believes that a responsible vacation allows the traveller to see beyond the surface of a place, which will lead to reflection, and reflection can lead to action. 

Current projects offered by Zuvy include eco-friendly farming in Kenya, building inside a prison in Mexico City and working with women weavers in Oilantaytambo, Peru. In Peru, the Zuvy experience is organized by Awamaki, a small NGO that promotes rural community development. Visitors will take a tour of the textile center and talk about weaving techniques, or take a class, and see the Pumamarca ruins. Awamaki  also offers homestead, where volunteers can stay overnight. On certain days, it’s possible to help serve breakfast or teach English or art. Zuvy’s partner organizations offer diverse responsible vacation options, which Navarro hopes (and believes) will give volunteers a meaningful experience.

Zuvy charges $50 per person for a day, $30 of which goes to the organization volunteers are helping out, and $20 of which goes to the staff. While this fee is lower than many responsible vacation companies, Navarro realizes that people will have trouble paying to volunteer. She explains that Zuvy is an experiential-learning organization and a service for travelers, and as such it costs some money. Still, she thinks it’s worth every penny.

Navarro imagines that Zuvy will eventually offer volunteer experiences around the world. She says, “I like thinking big, it’s what keeps me moving!” Navarro recently completed the University of California at Berkeley’s MBA program and started Zuvy. The word “Zuvy” is short for Zuvuya, which is a Mayan term that explains the duality of the universe, the synchronicity of time and space, and touches on the idea that we are all interconnected.

Original Source: www.justmeans.com/Zuvy-org-Offers-Responsible-Vacation-Options/32186.html