Little Inspired Adventures

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Inspired

Big adventures for little people… by Justine Curtis

My passion for travelling started at around five years old when my folks took me on my first overseas holiday from the UK to Spain. Back then, Spain was still under General Franco’s rule and it was very different to the UK. I vividly recall the sights, smells, tastes of different foods and experience of that ‘other’ world! It was my first adventure and it is one that I will never forget.

Fast forward a few decades, and my thirst for travel and new experiences has grown stronger through the many adventures I have had since that first trip to Spain. I’ve spent a year backpacking through India on public transport; hiked through Mexico; trekked the Himalayas; traversed across the Indonesian archipelago and have forged countless happy memories through travelling to incredible places in every corner of our beautiful planet. I’ve even experienced some of those life-changing situations that have lead me to where I am today – running a busy charity challenge fundraising agency.

Experiencing the world with children…

I’m now a mother to a 4 year-old girl and conscious of the positive impact travel had on me at a young age, I am wanting to share that experience with her. I am keen to expose my daughter to the joys of travel and the cultural exchanges that come with it.

Last year, I decided it was time to do something a little more adventurous than spending holidays at family-friendly resorts close to home. Those Christmas’ in Fiji were wearing a little thin – the pained look on the underpaid staff’s faces; the buffet day-after-day; endless hours in the pool; and basically swapping our habitual life of routine to head for a different routine of breakfast, swim, lunch, swim, then dinner. I stuck with it for a couple of years because this is what a family holiday should look like, right?

Don’t get me wrong… I do appreciate this type of holiday and I realise just how privileged we are to be able to take time out and enjoy some family downtime. However after a couple of repeat experiences, I was very keen to share something more and Bhutan was the chosen destination! (see ‘Bhutan with my 3-year-old’)

Over the course of 10 days, we shared a real adventure together. We trekked in the stunning mountains (she on the back of our wonderful guide). We drank butter tea with monks in monasteries. We stayed at a home-stay with a Bhutanese family of four generations living together under the one roof. My daughter had the opportunity to play with a five-year-old girl and transcend cultural and language barriers that adults struggle with. They didn’t have a single word in common but they shared the commonality of childhood bliss and innocence. It was a priceless moment that I was delighted to witness. As our adventure continued, we ran through fields of prayer flags and stompas (temples); we crossed rope bridges; and we spun prayer wheels. We were gone for ten days but it felt like we were away for months!

The birth of Little Inspired Adventures…

For me, travelling to exciting new destinations has made me feel more present and alive than ever. The opportunity to now share that experience with my daughter and see the journey unfold through her eyes is invaluable.

This has led to the creation of Little Inspired Adventures – adventures for families with a difference. Our first adventure has just launched and we are pleased to be able to offer families around Australia an experience to discover Sumatra. This family-friendly adventure is in support of the work of RSPCA NSW. The Sumatra Challenge 2014 includes lots of adventures and experiences that will excite and thrill people of all ages – no matter how big or small. It includes a visit to an orangutan rehabilitation centre as well as 3-days camping with the aim of spotting orang-utans in their wild habitat. There are some jungle treks and a 3-day homestay in an eco-village with ample opportunities for cultural exchanges with the local community and their children. We have also included an opportunity to get your hands dirty as you experience some hands-on organic farming and tree-planting. There’s even a chance for the little ones to learn some practical first aid during a short-course run by an Australian doctor. Just imagine the delight of seeing your child spot an orang-utan in the wild!

Seeing the world with eyes wide open…

I see change coming about for the world through shared experiences. I truly believe that if we can start at a young age we can create something incredible for the world both globally and locally in our own communities. Our children are our future and giving them greater insights into our world at an early age can only be a positive step towards creating a better future for everyone.

Feeling Inspired?

See more information on the RSPCA Family-Friendly Sumatra Challenge 2014
Read more trip stories
Learn about Justine’s adventure in Bhutan with her 3-year-old
Take part in the upcoming Black Dog Ride to Happiness Bhutan 2013

Read more from Justine’s Corner and our trip stories or visit the Inspired Adventures Calendar to find a charity challenge perfect for you.

International Women’s Day 2013

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Inspired

“If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution” Emma Goldman

March 8 is International Women’s Day and a very important day in the Inspired Adventures office. Inspired Adventures is run by 10 very inspirational women (men welcome of course!), who everyday talk to grandmothers, mothers, daughters, nieces and sisters up for the challenge to do some good, get fitter, get out of their comfort zone and experience the world in support of a cause they are passionate about.

That’s why we are always so impressed with the incredible stories of women and girls taking a stand for what they believe in. From Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl shot in the head by the Taliban for advocating girls’ education to Emma Goldman, a prominent free-thinking feminist of the 20^th century, each step, no matter how small is moving us in the direction of equality. Fittingly, this week Malala has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 2013.

Unfortunately, this special day also highlights the many injustices still faced by women in developing countries. It is estimated that 1 billion women around the world experience some form of violence, and while in Australia the average rate is 7%, in many developing countries up to 25% of women experience violence before their eighteenth birthday. As women who are not only able, but are encouraged to learn, seek, grow and help others, it’s heartbreaking to think that girls and women are often regarded a second class citizens, when it is clear that through education, they are the key to lasting social and economical development.

This International Women’s Day the theme is “A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women”. This is perfectly fitting as last year, Inspired Adventures and Plan Australia came together to create the 2013 Cycle for Girls. We promised to cycle across Cambodia and Vietnam to raise vital funds for Plan Australia’s “Because I am a Girl” campaign which aims to educate and empower girls to transform their own lives and the world around them. As always, we’ve taken this promise very seriously and are happy to say that we currently have 32 dedicated fundraisers cycling their way through Vietnam and Cambodia on a 12-day adventure to keep their promise of creating a better future for girls in developing countries (view the Cycle for Girls blog). Collectively they have raised over $114,000 and are making a huge difference to breaking down the barriers to education and speaking up to end child marriage.

Inspiring men honouring inspiring women

The Cycle for Girls is but one of many fundraising adventures that is making a tangible difference in our world. It also gives us a warm, fuzzy feeling when we hear of men participating in honour of a strong woman who has influenced their lives.

One of these men is Michael who is running the Virgin London Marathon next month for the Leukaemia Foundation. Tragically Michael lost his wife, Kath (pictured left), to leukaemia when she was just 38. So far Michael has raised over $46,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation (see Michael’s page). This has exceeded his goal of raising $1,000 for every kilometre of the 42.195km marathon.

We hold the key to ending violence

As violence and inequality often derives from poor education, poverty and limited access to healthcare, it is quite clear that through education and awareness, we can as women and with women, change poverty into opportunity and look forward to creating a world without limits for all women.

To all of you inspirational women out there, we want to be a part of your revolution! Go online to www.inspiredadventures.com.au to see how you can make your mark.

Justine

Read more Inspired Adventure News from Justine or visit our Inspired Adventures Calendar and find a Charity Challenge perfect for you.

Taking Disabilities to New Heights

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Inspired

Monday 3 December was International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This is an important day “that aims to promote an understanding of people with disability and encourage support for their dignity, rights and well-being”. For Inspired Adventures, it’s about reflecting on our charity partners who support people with disabilities and who give them greater independence and opportunities through the wonderful work that they do. It is also about recognising the achievements of our incredible adventurers who provide us with an ongoing foundation of inspiration that we draw upon day-after-day.

Over the last 8 years, we’ve seen some truly incredible feats of physical and mental determination, courage and endurance. One of the greatest achievements to date was the recent ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro by two completely blind trekkers, Deb and Henry. On 2 December 2012, both of them reached the summit at 5,895m having trekked up the mountain for five gruelling days with their fellow team members. They took on this challenge in support of a charity that is very close to their hearts, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT. For Henry, it was a way of remembering his guide dog, Billy, who passed away in May 2012. Henry’s tribute to Billy is heart wrenching and moving. Here’s an excerpt:

“I’ll never forget the first night that I spent with him. I was wound tight with tension, trying to remember the appropriate commands that I was supposed to give him, and coming to grips with the reality of the new partnership and all the associated responsibilities that this would entail. He padded across to the couch I was sitting on and gently rested his beautiful big head on my knee. The message could not have been clearer had he learned to talk and shouted it out loud. “It’s OK! We can do this. Feed me, and give me the love and attention I deserve, and I won’t walk you off a cliff. Deal?”

In a matter of weeks, I was walking independently in places where I would never have travelled solo before, except by necessity or bloody mindedness. He was guiding me to specific shops in shopping centres, along temporary paths through major construction sites that changed daily, across very busy intersections, and around power poles and trees. He learned how to follow friends and family, find traffic lights, stairs, elevators and seats. At this point it must be admitted that these seats weren’t always vacant. This was either of no great concern to him, or a deliberate attempt on his part to try and help me meet girls. I am inclined to think the latter, as generosity and helpfulness were imprinted in his makeup.”

Read Henry’s full tribute to Billy…

For Deb, her main motivation for undertaking this challenge was to show her ‘heartfelt appreciation for what I have been given, through Guide Dogs NSW/ACT’. Read Deb’s full story.

It is important to remember that Deb and Henry didn’t just climb a big mountain and overcome a physical challenge that pushes everyone to their limits. Deb and Henry also fundraised exceptional amounts for Guide Dogs. Deb raised nearly $12,000 while Henry’s fundraising dollars continue to roll in. We expect the final amount to be upwards of $30,000! Even better than that is the fact that Henry and Deb weren’t alone – they had 7 others fundraising alongside them under what became known affectionately as ‘Team Doggies’. Collectively this team of incredibly passionate people has raised over $100,000 to help establish a new guide dog puppy breeding program in NSW.

Earlier this year we saw Chris Scott, a multiple gold-medal winning Paralympian, take on a fundraising and trekking challenge for Cerebral Palsy League. His reason for taking on such an adventure:

As a past client I know first hand the work the Cerebral Palsy League do and how they change the lives of thousands of people with Cerebral Palsy allowing them to achieve their full potential.

Since becoming a CPL Ambassador I have also come to understand the costs involved in funding such and organisation. This inspired me to do the Vietnam Challenge so I can directly help support the organisation who helped make me the person I am today. I was also inspired to do this challenge to show people that just because you have a disability that should not stop you from setting yourself challenges that test you both physically and mentally.

Chris epitomises determination and is a true inspiration. He isn’t afraid of pain or stepping outside his comfort zone and his motto to achieve success:

“Pain goes away; your achievements stay with you for ever.”

In 2013, we have some we have some amazing trips planned for charity partners working with people with both physical and mental disabilities. These include: