Loved being able to spend time with all these inspirational woman who have been through so much but now are learning how to become strong independent women. Her Future Coalition has been doing some amazing work in India for so many years. It was such an honor to be able to capture a small part of the difference they are making for these amazing women.
Making a difference in India
Vietnam October 2015 (couple in need)
We spend a lot of time in Vietnam. While exploring rural areas in Vietnam we are always on the look out for people in need. So while on a hike through the hills of Mai Chau Heather and I came across a couple that could be more in need. We found this couple living all alone in a remote area of the hills. Their living conditions where beyond basic. They lived in a small pieced together shack that couldn't even keep them dry during a rain storm. I could only imaging what it must have been like during a rainstorm with no electricity in the pitch dark of the night. We could see the pain in their faces of living such a hard life. As we said goodbye to the couple we couldn't stop thinking about them. So later that day I talked to my good friends that I have made in Mai Chau and asked if there was a way that we could pull together some locals and build them a dry place to sleep. Without hesitation they said let's do it. So we said we would buy the materials needed and with the help of a handful of locals we could build them a dry place to sleep. So in 2 days they went from a hut that couldn't even keep them dry at night to a hut with a cement roof that would not let any water in. It was a crazy couple days. We had to trek up a mountain with the materials to build the hut. It didn't help that we had a rain storm that came in just when we where trying to make it up the mountain. Carrying large pieces of bamboo and cement roof panels is no easy task in the pouring rain. But we made it happen. It was so inspiring seeing all the locals that wanted to jump in to help.
Vietnam September 2016
On this trip to Vietnam I found a family in need that really has been wanting a fresh water basin. A fresh water basin is always such a game changer for a family. Having a good supply of fresh water right next to their home is such a better quality of life. They always have clean fresh water for cooking, bathing, drinking.
When I pull some volunteers together to help with a project like this it's always so great to see the smiles on the families faces when we arrive to get started on our first day. Gets us all fired up to get to work.
Also on these trips we like to bring a few duffle bags of children's clothes to hand out. Which is always fun. We found a small pre school in the village and had a new outfit for each child.
So another successful trip to Vietnam. Did some great giving back and had lots of fun exploring and interacting with the locals.
India 2015
I'm always looking for places I can donate my time around the world to organizations that are making a difference. When I was introduced to the amazing organization Made By Survivors I knew right away I wanted to be a part of it. So I made a trip to India to capture images of these amazing young women who are learning to be fine jewelry designers.
Vietnam April 2016
Adventure # 5 in Vietnam. This is my 5th trip to Vietnam and my 4th time putting together a great voluntarism trip. I put these trips together so like minded individuals can join me to as I say travel with a purpose. People can sign up to be a part of these trips. It's an off the grid experience of adventure and giving back to locals that could really use something special to come their way. As you will see in the pictures below it's an experience of a lifetime.
