Giltedge has long been committed to making a positive change through travel. For years we’ve been involved with a number of philanthropic organisations that we feel are making a positive difference in the lives of the communities in and around Cape Town – our home city.
As June comes to a close, we head into July, now fondly known as Madiba Month – after the late great Nelson Mandela, first black president of South Africa, freedom fighter and pure philanthropist himself. We want to share with you the work we are doing to uplift our communities and how you as a traveller can join in and be a part of making a difference.
In the words of Mandela “There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return.”
The organisations we work with
Uthando (Love) South Africa – an innovative NGO which does invaluable work raising funds and getting actively involved with a wide variety of grassroots community projects. A Fair Trade in Tourism accredited NGO that works with innovative community projects.
On Uthando’s day tours guests will visit local townships for an interactive tour that offers both an insight and chance to meet with different cultures, communities and individuals. Witness everyday life in a harsh environment which tells of the struggles, hopes and achievements.
Visit entrepreneurs and local artisans, making art & crafts from beading to recycled goods.
A visit to a crèche (daycare facility) for younger children is always a highlight and will bring big smiles to their little faces. Read a book or paint a picture with them or perhaps they may even teach you a few local Xhosa words. Stop by an old age centre where you can meet elders in the community, hear their stories and be delighted by their songs of hope. You will also have a chance to also visit the Gugulethu Seven & Amy Biehl Memorials.
Jikeleza Project (Uthando) – an outreach project that runs community-based dance, music and performance for children from the impoverished townships of Houtbay, Imizamo Yethu and Hangberg. Visit their studio and enjoy a show performed by these talented students or perhaps lend your skills and teach a lesson.
Paint a house or school or plant a garden – groups can support or sponsor a mural or home garden in Khayelitsha or Woodstock, Cape Town. Groups can actively participate in their chosen project and see the difference this will make to local communities. During your visit, you will take a walking tour through narrow streets and meet local artists.
Greenpop – get your hands dirty and get rooted in South African culture. In order to conserve our natural heritage, Greenpop, a local tree-planting organisation, plants thousands of trees in reforestation projects in South Africa. Spend the day with local school children and the community, planting trees in the local townships, leaving a lasting legacy of your visit. Your tree will provide shade and a greener environment for years to come.
Pack for a purpose – An initiative for travellers who have little time but want to contribute on their travels. Please “pack for a purpose” and bring along any old clothes, pens, toiletries, books or general school supplies which we will ensure find their way to those in need.
Travel with a purpose – for those who want to play a hands-on role in uplifting local communities or conserving the environment in the destinations that they visit. These projects all offer direct engagement so that you can get actively involved and make a meaningful personal contribution as you partake in life-changing experiences. We have 3 main areas of focus volun-tourism, eco-tourism and edu-tourism.
Giltedge hosts MICE travel groups to and we always offer our clients one day in their itinerary to participate in a good cause day.
If our groups cannot manage to fit a day like this into their programme we make sure to support local artists and buy locally crafted gifts for our clients as room drops.
Working with these organisations we offer meaningful and personal CSR opportunities for you and your business to give back.
We invite you to join us on a trip of a lifetime and the opportunity to offer a small bit of your time to help change the lives of those less fortunate.
Contact us for more information: Make an Enquiry
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
Nelson Mandela