Giving Back

Remote Lands feels passionately that it is imperative to give back to the local communities we visit. Our philosophy is based on the strong belief that travel to developing nations can have an equally positive impact on the local residents as on the visitors. Many of the countries in Asia are evolving and, as such, benefit greatly from assistance in areas like education, arts, healthcare, children’s needs, architecture preservation, environmental preservation and wildlife protection. We highly encourage clients traveling with us to visit NGOs and to take an active interest in their missions. These are some of Remote Lands’ favorite foundations. 

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Our Favourite Foundations

Bhutan Canada Foundation

BHUTAN

The Bhutan Canada Foundation(BCF) furthers Bhutan's development through educational and social institutions. Since 2009, the Bhutan Canada Foundation has worked to reduce poverty and cultivate an educated populous that can meaningfully participate in both national and local affairs by providing teachers, supplies, and scholarships. Working with the authorities, BCF has provided education advisement services in Bhutan Since 2011, and has worked with the Bhutan Dental Mission to improve dental health across the country. A registered Canadian charity, BCF also provides cultural liaison services to visitors to Bhutan and promotes continued cultural understanding and friendship between Bhutan and Canada.

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Tarayana Foundation

BHUTAN

Tarayana's strives to create a happy and poverty-free Bhutan. Tarayana Foundation was established in 2003 by Her Majesty the Queen, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, to help the disadvantaged that she witnessed firsthand during her tours to the remote corners of the nation. The Foundation was established to help these communities achieve self-sufficiency through small and targeted interventions. Tarayana Foundation is a non-profit organization working to uplift and enhance the lives of people in rural communities in Bhutan. The Foundation complements and supplements the efforts of the Royal Government in poverty reduction by espousing the national goal, Bhutan 2020: A Vision for Peace, Prosperity and Happiness.

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Cambodian Living Arts

CAMBODIA

For almost 20 years, Cambodian Living Arts (CLA) has worked to regrow Cambodia’s arts sector and provide opportunities for local artists. Founded in 1998 by genocide survivor, musician, and peace advocate Arn Chorn-Pond, they initially focused on the preservation of art forms that were almost lost following the Khmer Rouge regime. Over the past two decades, the CLA has evolved with the development of Cambodia and the rapidly re-emerging arts sector. They offer scholarships and fellowships, support artists, create employment in the arts sector, and support research, international exchanges, and networking. They also offer opportunities for visitors to Cambodia to experience authentic live performances at the National Museum of Cambodia and intimate workshops that give visitors an in-depth, personal experience of the arts. 

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Center for Khmer Studies

CAMBODIA

The Center for Khmer Studies’ (CKS) mission is to support research, teaching and public service in the social sciences, arts and humanities as they relate to Cambodia. We aim to connect Cambodian scholars, students, professional workers and artists with their international colleagues for the purpose of fostering understanding of Cambodia and Southeast Asia. Specifically, the CKS seeks to facilitate research and international scholarly exchange through programs that increase understanding of Cambodia and its region, help strengthen Cambodia’s cultural and academic structures and integrate Cambodian scholars into their regional and international community, and promote a vigorous Cambodian civil society.

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Elephant Nature Park

THAILAND

Elephant Nature Park, or "ENP," is the result of decades of effort and risk on behalf of Thailand's elephants as carried out by Lek Chailert. Known as "the Mother Teresa of endangered and at-risk elephants," Lek was selected as Time Magazine's "Hero of Asia." She's been featured on Animal Planet, National Geographic and the San Francisco Chronicle. The ENP was established in the 1990'sto provide a sanctuary and rescue center for injured elephants, located about 60 kilometers outside of Chiang Mai. ENP projects include "Elephant Heaven," where the elephants return to the wild for a limited time to re-learn survival skills, as well as community outreach in rural Thailand (known as the "Jumbo Express") where locals are taught to care for elephants.

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Tibetan Village Project

TIBET

Tibetan Village Project (TVP) is a non-profit, non-political organization dedicated to promoting sustainable development and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Tibet. The organization was founded in 2001 by Tamdin Wangdu to fund a medical clinic, and years later TVP has expanded to other villages to support more clinics, schools, and community projects. TVP is registered in the United States as a nonprofit with 501(c)3 status. All TVP projects are coordinated by Tibetans with supporters to help communities on the Tibetan Plateau using a bottom-up approach. Most projects are small-scale initiatives that work directly with Tibetan villagers and with local government through project-coordinators.

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