The Lonely Planet describes El Salvador as “a country of beautiful beaches, dramatic scenery, and friendly people.”
While this is no doubt true, El Salvador is also marred with poverty and suffering. Child labor is prevalent, as many young children need to go to work in order to survive, and often provide for their families.
Ever wondered [...]
Unequal distribution of wealth and a rapid population growth have given Guatemala one of the highest poverty rates in Latin America despite the highest GDP in Central America. More than 75 percent of the national population lives below the poverty line and this is even more severe among the rural and indigenous population.
Guatemala’s income is [...]
Located in Central America, Guatemala shares borders with Mexico in the north/northwest, El Salvador in the south, Honduras in the southeast, and Belize in the northeast. The southwest of Guatemala is the Pacific coastline, while east has a tiny slice of the Caribbean. Volunteering in Guatemala is can be both self-rewarding as well as self-satisfying. [...]
Ecuador is situated in the Northwestern side of South America and along the Pacific Ocean coastline. Ecuador is an extremely beautiful place like most of South America is and is home to the highest active volcano in the world – Cotopaxi. There are several UNESCO World Heritage Sites but the most popular place is the [...]
Ecuador may be considered a “hotspot,” but the tagline doesn’t refer to a Spring Break destination. Ecuador is one of the leading countries in the world at risk of losing its biodiversity, and with it the livelihoods, culture and identity of many Ecuadorians. Due mainly to the shrimp aquaculture industry, Ecuador’s precious mangroves are being [...]
The South Pacific has the popular holiday destinations of Fiji, Tahiti, Vanuato, Samoa, Cook Islands, Tonga and Easter Island. These islands have palm-fringed beaches, tropical forests, cascading waterfalls and rugged volcanic peaks. There is some great self catering holiday home accommodation available to rent on these islands.
The islands of Fiji and Tahiti in the South [...]
My parents’ 1956 trip to Cuba happened quite by accident. They were going to New Orleans from their home in Fort Worth, Texas. Unfortunately, it rained all the way and continued to rain when they reached New Orleans. They decided to drive on to Keywest, Florida, where it was raining as well.
They learned they could [...]
History of Costa Rica
Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica Spanish: Costa Rica or República de Costa Rica, pronounced [re?pu?likaðe?kosta?rika]), is a republic in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the east-southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Costa [...]
Volunteer Abroad in Chile: Volunteering Opportunities
Volunteering Abroad in Chile: Chile, the longest country in the World, claims almost 3000 miles of the Pacific shoreline. This is a land of contrasts and extremes; with glacial landscapes of Patagonia in the south and the heat of the famously dry Atacama Desert in the north
I           INTRODUCTION  Washington, D.C., city and district, capital of the United States of America. The city of Washington has the same boundaries as the District of Columbia (D.C.), a federal territory established in 1790 as the site of the new nation’s permanent capital. Named after the first U.S. president, George
Incoming search terms for the [...]
Where does starvation exist in the world today? What are some of the causes of world hunger? Are citizens of developed countries donating monetarily to the ongoing relief efforts? In this article I will address these questions with the hope that by creating an understanding of the current world hunger situation, morally conscious individuals will [...]
TOURISM – A FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY
Creating Jobs and Wealth
Poverty alleviation has become an essential condition for peace, environmental conservation and sustainable development, besides being an ethical obligation in an affluent world, where the divide between poor and rich nations seems to have increased in recent years. There is a stronger evidence that tourism if [...]
The poor performance of African economies and economies where the people are of colour other than whites have prompted people to ask whether poverty is a black or a colour thing.
This question about poverty being a black thing has gained credence in many circles. This question is also asked about Africa because it is [...]
Everywhere you look online, and off line you find another cause or charity you could support. Everything from donating food to donating several thousand dollars for housing. There is a good reason behind these appeals, and something that should be supported. But, in these times of economic turmoil, how do you find the extra money [...]
Loulou Prince is a medsen fey (leaf doctor/herbalist and shaman) in Jacmel, a small Haitian town close to the border with the Dominican Republic. In his daily practice, he deals with a range of health problems typical of the area – from aches and cuts and bruises symptomatic of the hard toil in the fields [...]
As Tabitha Boonstra showed the children of La Esperanza in Honduras their picture on her digital camera, she could not believe their reaction.
‘They would come running up to you from wherever they were, and they’d be yelling ‘photo, photo!’ They’d stand there, and you would take their picture, then you’d show them on the back [...]
Argentina’s economy has been rebounding since its near collapse in 2001, with an impressive growth rate of about 8% since Kirchner took office. Argentina has played a positive role in promoting human rights and democratic institutions in the hemisphere, particularly in Haiti. Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly educated population, a [...]