Sponsorship and Environment

Each of us, having worked in the travel industry for a number of years, have 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 travel through. We also have a fund that we will use to contribute to important projects throughout the South American continent. These projects will be updated as we continue to contribute time and money to worthwhile initiatives.

In this age of environmental concern we are aiming to reduce our impacts as much as we possibly can. This will be partly achieved by taking steps on our tours to reduce unneccesary waste, limit plastic bag use, support local tourism 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 pleasure 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 contribute to the school those things that the are not supplied but which makes life a lot easier and more enjoyable for the children. 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, sporting goods or any other items the principal indicates they are lacking. This year amongst other items we will be contributing musical instruments. 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.

Corazon Inquieto

The Project Corazón Inquieto has been founded by Bureau Connectie Bolivia and is focused on children and youngsters from the market neighborhood of Gran Poder in La Paz, Bolivia. The area of Gran Poder is well known as a neighborhood with a lot of problems. Every day appr. 10 new cases apply to Child Welfare, which have something to do with abuse/violence or neglection. There are a lot of problems with alcoholism and the families can barely keep their heads above water. A lot of children are with their mothers on the market, all day long. They play in a box or in the middle of all the merchandise. The plan is for these children, to be able to play for several hours in a room especially made for little kids, where they can develop in the motorical, psychological and social area.
Daycare: The project offers daycare for children from 2 til 13 years old. Different kinds of activities are organized, so that the children can develop themselves a little better. They get support with their schoolwork and after that, recreation and sports activities are organized. It is very important to offer them a safe place, where they can be with kids of their own age .
Compass Expeditions has developed a new relationship with Corazon Inquieto to offer some financial support and with our Bolivian tours we will make a visit to the centre to help increase the awareness of some of the challenges people face in La Paz.
For more information on Corazon Inquieto see www.connectiebolivia.nl/paging/corazon.php