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Having each of us worked in the travel industry for a number of years we have all seen the positive and negative impacts of tourism, especially in less developed countries. We aim, through the running of motorcycle expeditions with Compass Expeditions, to have as positive an impact as possible. With our ethics and environment policy we aim to train staff and also to give our passengers a better understanding of their impact on the areas they motorcycle through. We also have a fund that we will use to contribute to environmental projects throughout the South American continent. These projects will be updated on the website as we continue to contribute time and money to worthwhile environmental initiatives.
In this age of environmental concern we are aiming to reduce our carbon footprint and impact as much as we possibly can. This will be achieved by contributing to the above mentioned environmental projects as well as attempting to make our office environment almost paper free. This is where you can help! We ask that clients reduce the amount of information that they print off our web site by thinking about what they really need in a hard copy, for this we thank you in advance.
CHARITIES
We are serious about contributing not only to the areas we ride through but also helping make a difference in our own backyard.
FRIEDREICHS ATAXIA NETWORK
Some years ago we had the honour of meeting a most amazing girl, Cathy McLean. Cathy suffers from a rare and fatal disease known as Freidreichs Ataxia. She inspired some of us to undertake a charity motorcycle ride from London to Vladivostok raising $20,000 along the way. Cathy's passion for life has been a catalyst for the establishment of Compass Expeditions, and as a result of this a partial amount from every single booking will go to a charity that Cathy, along with us, established some years ago, The Friedrichs Ataxia Network, but more importantly we hope to raise awareness of this terrible disease so that one day it may not languish in the fund raising back waters and some serious research may begin to save lives. To learn a little more about F.A.N and maybe spread the word, check out www.fan.asn.au .
A SMALL BOLIVIAN SCHOOL
While driving through a tiny collection of mud huts between Uyuni and Potosi some years ago, we were greeted by a school principal, this initial contact eventually leading us to sponsor the entire school. We do now, as we have always done, while doing a Bolivian tour, collect a small donation from our passengers as well as funds we have contributed and buy school supplies and fresh fruit and vegetables for the children before riding out unannounced and presenting the school with our donations. Far from being rich condescending gringo's, it is a tangible helping hand to a very remote and forgotten village high in the Bolivian Altiplano. It's a wonderful couple of hours spent with the children and a great and sometimes emotional time is enjoyed by everyone, especially the kids.
Adventure motorcycle expeditions with Compass Expeditions will show you more than just motorbikes.
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