3 minute read
Safari For a Cause
Micato’s AmericaShare program is proof that travel can truly transform.
BY MEREDITH DIERS
Advertisement
One of the greatest rewards of AmericaShare programs is a child’s smile.
Irene is a local Kenyan who has benefited from Micato’s impactful non-profit foundation, AmericaShare, which improves the lives of vulnerable and impoverished children and women in the Mukuru slum of Nairobi. AmericaShare is proof that travel can truly transform via programs that support quality education, business assistance, and care for those affected by HIV/AIDS. And for Patel, this give-and-get philosophy has also positively impacted her own daughters.
“I thought sponsoring a girl similar in age to my daughters would be easier and more meaningful. Irene is right in the middle of my two daughters’ age. It’s helpful in writing to her, and for them to relate to each other,” adds Patel.
It’s common for sponsors and their families to continue to correspond with their student and develop a trusted relationship long after the initial trip.
Education is the anchor to AmericaShare’s mission.
“We definitely have more of a connection with Irene since we visited her during the holidays in 2017,” says Patel. “We hope to continue building on this relationship so that our girls will continue to feel grateful for their abundance and be able to understand how to make a difference in someone’s life through education.”
Micato Safaris has offered travelers luxurious and extraordinary access to people, places, and experiences throughout Africa for more than 50 years. Several Micato Safaris itineraries end with a visit to the Harambee Community Centre in Mukuru. Often guests fall in love with the children, or one specific child in particular, and want to know how they can further help. The School Sponsorship Programme provides the orphaned and vulnerable children with life-changing education. And the global, cross-cultural relationships inspire travelers to make a difference. The opportunity to spend time with the children at the Community Centre and develop a longlasting relationship through correspondence lets donors see and experience the impact they’re making.
Travelers lift the spirits of local kids.
Young students are proud of their local schools.
Empowering women to learn life-long skills.
Micato traveler Katie Cadar sponsored Samson, a 13-year-old Kenyan boy. “We correspond with him, sending letters and cards,” she says. “We have seen the growth over the last three years—his writing is more mature, his comments to us are charming.”
Additionally, more than 130,000 girls have received “Huru Kits” with reusable sanitary pads, saving the girls from missing 3.5 million school days. An exclusive Micato experience geared toward teens is helping to distribute Huru Kits to these girls.
Travelers may visit Africa for the wildlife and rugged landscapes, yet when they depart, it’s the people of Africa that often resonate most. As such, Micato’s philosophy is to expose travelers to a broad spectrum of Africa—the beauty, poverty, tribal cultures, politics, social trends, urbanization, and gender issues. Travelers leave with a deep understanding and appreciation for Africa; there’s a ripple effect, and paying it forward is further defined.
