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This article was written by Melissa Sotomayor (Sales & Marketing Assistant at Ecoventura)

As one of the most ecology-minded and socially responsible tour companies in Ecuador, Ecoventura supports various initiatives that benefit the local community’s schools and foundations located in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal.

In partnership with Pack for a Purpose and thanks to our generous travelers, we deliver school supplies to Alejandro Alvear School and New Era Galapagos Foundation. Both support art programs, Eco Scouts, and English activities for physically and mentally challenged kids in need.

How does it work?

We ask our travelers to pack 5 lbs (2.27 kgs) of supplies by providing them with lists of requested items. The amount only takes a small amount of space in their suitcase and requires little effort and still makes a big impact. Some of our guests bring pencils, pens, erasers, and markers while others bring English textbooks, dictionaries, and notebooks.  With the help of the captains working on board each yacht and our warehouse manager, we deliver the supplies directly to schools and foundations. This makes it convenient for any traveler to participate and contribute.

Guests who wish to bring other type of materials are more than welcome to do so as long as they are a school’s necessity. We have had cases where travelers ask if they can bring bigger and heavier supplies such as computer equipment, scanners, soccer balls, modeling clay, ecology-focused teaching aids, amongst others.

All of this help given by our guests represent a huge opportunity for the teachers and kids of the San Cristobal Island. Teachers have improved the education process with the different teaching materials they have received and students learn and improve the English language through the books and dictionaries. Younger students use puzzles, modeling clay and pencil colors for motor activities.

During our last Pack for a Purpose donation visit made in April 2017, we delivered 40lbs of supplies to Alejandro Alvear School and the New Era Galapagos Foundation where kids showed their appreciation with excitement and big smiles!

In 2015, when Ellie, a 5th-grade student from the U.S. decided she would pack for a purpose she got help from her dentist, family, and friends.  She found out about the partnership from our website and brought 300 toothbrushes and 10lbs of English-Spanish dictionaries to the Galapagos.

You can find her story here: https://www.ecoventura.com/ellie-story-pack-for-a-purpose/

Pack for a Purpose is definitely a great experience for someone who wants to help and give an extra support to kids and young adults in need!