Global Buddies nurtures personal connections and authentic exchange between equals that promote transformation, not charity. Visiting and local youth participate in joint activities that nurture their emerging global identity, such as music, dance, sports, geography, media skills, community service and environmental education. Adults volunteer with the community on much-needed projects and explore issues of interest to them.
You will be amazed at how warmly you are welcomed into the local community and the depth of the experiences you share with these new friends. In addition to activities in the township, visitors and hosts explore together the region's heritage and scenic locations. You will visit beaches, museums, restaurants, wildlife areas and other spots with your local hosts - who rarely go to such places on their own - for a trip that is inspiring and life-changing for all.
When your family takes part in the life of a South African township or Ugandan community, the experience will forever change how you see yourselves. You will make friends across geographic boundaries that inspire you and your children to become global citizens for life.
As members of a global community, you will discover new ways to make a difference in the world. Expect to come home invigorated with a renewed sense of hope and power to create change!
Global Buddies offers unique family travel opportunities that foster authentic connections between travelers and local residents. Our trips provide family experiences of cultural exchange and volunteer service for children ages 7-17, with separate, yet overlapping, programs for children and adults.
Global citizenship is essential in today's world — both for success in the workplace and for the future of the earth and those who inhabit it. In conjunction with UCLA's Global Center for Children and Families, we have designed an innovative program to help children develop the skills all global citizens need.
– Critical thinking skills that are creative, flexible and interdisciplinary
– Ability to communicate and work with people of diverse cultures, languages and backgrounds
– Capacity to examine social problems firsthand and evaluate information from many different sources
– Ability to collaborate across nations to take appropriate action on a global scale
Today's social and environmental problems are being passed to our children, to either live with or solve. The firsthand experience you and your children gain when traveling with Global Buddies will nurture the perspective and compassion needed to create a better future for all.