(CAMBRIDGE, MA, April 16, 2012) "“ A leading responsible travel company,
Elevate Destinations, for the third consecutive year will interface this summer between volunteers and a Haiti-based organization to assist rural Haitians as they move toward economic, environmental and social self sufficiency and sustainability.

Elevate Destinations plans eight and15-day trips for volunteers to Jacmel, Haiti, between July 22-30 and July 22-Aug. 5.

Volunteers will assist with a two-week summer camp for its partner's Let Haiti Live 40-member youth group (JADPE) focused on food security and other environmental projects in southeastern Haiti.  Youth from ages five to 25 are exposed to such empowerment tools as education, alternative media, and leadership building.

Activities center on English language skills and leadership development. The group will also be working on a construction project to support the expansion of the group's tree nursery and reforestation efforts in the community.

"Our trips are different from most volunteer travel," says Andrea Atkinson with Elevation Destinations. "We work in solidarity with Haitians to create cultural connections that provide long-term relationships and support. We don't believe in top-down development."

Volunteers have also helped Elevate Destinations since 2010 raise $40,000 for community projects in Haiti. Elevate Destinations is a responsible travel company that won a National Geographic Traveler ‘Tour of a Lifetime 2011’ designation for its Elevate Haiti trips.

 

Registration is open until May 15 and trip details are available online at http://www.elevatedestinations.com/journey_haiti.html.