Shalee Wanders

Shalee Wanders

Follow me on FacebookFollow me on InstagramFollow me on TwitterFollow me on Google+
  • Home
  • About
  • Media & PR
  • Partner-in-Crime
    • Meet Josh
  • Contact

Fathom Travel: A New Kind of Adventure

March 21, 2016 By Shalee 4 Comments

 

Recently I took a trip that included beaches and mountains, but not the kind you’d typically find me on. This was a new adventure, one that wasn’t your typical vacation.

vbj

I’d never been on an impact trip. I had always been curious, but was always picky about what kind of trip I would take. I wanted to work next to locals, in cultures, without commercialization.

Guys, I found it.

Recently, I went on an impact travel trip to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic with Fathom Travel. The purpose of the trip was to make a difference in the community, while still enjoying a Caribbean vacation. I arrived with fellow blogger Adventure Mom, curious and unsure exactly what to expect. We were soon to discover this trip would surpass all expectations we could have dreamt up.

The Dominican Republic is the second most visited country in both North and South America, trailing only behind Brazil. Punta Cana is situated on the southeastern coast, lined with resort after resort on flat sand beaches, making it the biggest tourist location in the country. Although millions of travelers get their passport stamped and visit this country, very few leave with hearts full of Dominican love and culture.

That’s what made this trip different.

ghj

Day One

We loaded the bus and headed to a local beach in the city. A Dominican work group known as IDDI greeted us upon arrival. This organization is one of the primary companies in the Dominican Republic that works on community development in local areas. Almost all of the workers of IDDI were young adults from Puerto Plata and the surrounding towns, which I was absolutely thrilled about. Not only was the trip helping with impact activities, but it was helping to support local organizations.

The Fathom group along with IDDI spent the day planting 407 sea grape trees, collecting 200 seedlings to be brought and raised in a greenhouse, and collecting 25 bags of garbage off the beach. The area is one of the main beaches for locals in Puerto Plata, and unlike many northerners, they want to stay out of the sun. In time, the trees should grow and provide valuable shade for them along the beach.

kjk

Day Two

We ventured to the mountains (YIPPEE) on a long and bumpy bus ride to the small town of Cupey. The mountain town was quaint and beautiful, and my inner hiking soul was begging to climb every peak I could see for miles, which was a lot.

We came to this town to visit the Centro Educativo Isabel Meyreles, which was the local village school. It was the first time they would have a visit from any outside organization, which was absolutely amazing to be a part of. We learned that some of these kids must walk for hours over the surrounding mountains to get to school every day. Makes you think.

Our stay was with the fourth grade class, where we danced to “Uptown Funk”, drew pictures, and made soccer balls out of balloons and newspapers. My little drawing partner was named Wilson, and although he spoke no English we communicated perfectly. I’m also pretty sure his drawing turned out better than mine. Touche, Wilson.

yui

The school was something I will remember forever. We worked to teach them important skills that they may need in life. The truth is, many of them won’t be able to go out and buy a soccer ball whenever they wish, so teaching them alternatives for their wants was not only important, but heartwarming. We were told that instead of bringing them items (toys, classroom supplies, etc) it’s more beneficial to teach them these important skills. By bringing actual items, it can actual do more harm in the schools than good, even though people who bring things have good intentions.

I had never considered that perspective, but it was undoubtedly true. By simply supplying goods, the kids may learn to expect something to come to them, rather than learning skills to figure out alternatives on their own.

vbn,

Day Three

Our third and final activity we met up with the IDDI team once again and they took us to an impoverished area of Puerto Plata, where we were going to visit an all-women entrepreneurship initiative called RaPapel. This organization has supplied important jobs for women in the town where they work to make recycled paper.

None of the women spoke English, but we communicated with laughter and smiles. Before we began, each of the women stood up in front and talked to us (with a translator) to describe what RaPapel means to them and how it has impacted their life.

We learned the entire paper making process, which was incredibly awesome. We danced, and sang, and shook our hips (or at least I tried), and had an absolute blast. We belted Christmas songs, because the women knew the English versions, and I learned that just because you’re at work doesn’t mean it can’t be a party. In my book, each of the women were complete and total badasses.

At the end of the day, we had helped to complete over 3 days of work in the little time were there. Those women taught me some very important lessons that day, and they will be lessons not soon forgot.

vui

This was a new kind of adventure for me. I didn’t climb a mountain and I wasn’t camping, but it was an adventure that I will always cherish. I was able to experience culture in a new way and meet inspirational people along the journey. I was there to help, but it turns out they helped me more.

**This trip was compensated by Fathom Impact Travel. As always, all opinions, thoughts, and stories are my own. The first official Fathom trip includes a cruise to the Dominican and begins in April. DO IT PEOPLE. **

 

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest

Filed Under: Adventure, Caribbean, Get Inspired, Travel

Comments

  1. Matt Beha says

    March 23, 2016 at 1:14 pm

    What a great experience. I may have to try Fathom.

    Reply
    • Shalee says

      April 28, 2016 at 1:50 pm

      You must! It is an experience you won’t ever forget.

      Reply
  2. Bruce Gezon says

    March 24, 2016 at 2:41 pm

    Sounds like a very rewarding trip, Shalee. I know the feeling. I have helped build schools and churches in Cambodia and am planning on doing the same in Guatemala next winter. It is a wonderful way to get learn about other cultures and to give back to life. Thanks for sharing. I’m sure this will encourage others to consider doing the same rather than always laying on a beach for a week being waited on hand and foot.

    Reply
    • Shalee says

      April 28, 2016 at 1:51 pm

      Guatemala next winter?! That’s amazing Bruce! I must hear some of your stories this year at the festival.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About Me

Hiking, backpacking, and road tripping my way around the world. Previous #vanlifer who probably doesn’t take as many showers as she should. Roadside bathroom expert. Ice cream gold digger. Nature lover. 30+ countries and I still have no idea what the hell I’m doing. Hi, I’m Shalee, and welcome to my world.

Subscribe to Shalee Wanders!

Enter your email to join thousands of readers and receive the most up-to-date information about Shalee Wanders!

ShaleeWanders on Instagram!

 Will the snow ever leave Northern Michigan and will we ever witness another warm summer sunset? The world may never know. • I haven’t been home in a few months and usually I miss it quite a lot, but right now I think I’m glad to be in warmth. I send sun and warm vibes, Michigan!  “Last one to the top of Greece is a rotten egg!”  Chasing the sun even when it’s gone.  I struggle with routine. I hate it. I absolutely hate waking up in the morning knowing exactly what I’m going to do that day. It triggers a weird anxiety that I can’t seem to grasp sometimes. I’m human. Life isn’t always easy. We’re all real. Some days I need an overdose of coffee to survive, others the day itself is my caffeine. On bad days remember the world is pretty fucking cool. On good days remember it might be hard for someone else. Balance is important. It keeps you stable on the edge.  During my story Q&A the other day someone asked me the top three places I’d like to live in Michigan. I chose Houghton, Charlevoix, and Marquette. It got me curious and I want to hear your answers! So all you lovely Michiganders, what would you include in your top?  Last weekend we hit the road for a side trip to St. Augustine. The oldest town in the country, it’s rich with history and beautiful architecture. It made even a nature girl fall in love.  If you could travel to one place anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?  I spy a wild Petoskey stone! Happy Thursday adventurers!  Comfort. A simple word with varying meaning, yet the one word that determines our story. Within comfort, that story will never be more than an essay. Beyond it, an unwritten novel of broken limits. When’s the last time you stepped beyond your comfort zone?  Today’s foggy and moody hike, complete with falling ice from frozen branches above.  Hi my name is Aspen and I’m seven months old and I have a gimp leg and I’m a little bit fat but I like rivers, rock hopping, and treats (obviously). I also like hiking on set paths. I’m not a fan of bushwhacking yet but I’ll get there. One day my hoomans will bring me to the top of a peak and it’ll be great ok bye.  Find love and take it everywhere.
TAP

As seen on

Featured partners

Keep up with me on Twitter!

My Tweets

© 2018 Shalee Wanders · Log in