Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.
~ Mark Twain
In our multicultural society and an increasingly global world, the Kindred Project is a unique resource, offering travelers the opportunity to experience life in other countries through distinctly personal connections.
The Vision: The Kindred Project is working toward a world where...
- Direct intercultural experiences and global awareness are the basis for informed decisions as voters, consumers, and donors
- Travel is considered a necessary component of cultural understanding, and travel opportunities accurately reflect the world's cultural and economic diversity
- Cultural differences in our communities are viewed as an asset, a resource for collaboration and celebration, not a cause for division
The Mission:
The Kindred Project organizes international travel experiences where Americans with thriving networks abroad share the beauty and reality of their home country with fellow Americans, opening doors to the world and creating connections in our multicultural communities.
The Vehicle:The Kindred Experience
Each Kindred Experience is a unique journey. Upon arriving in your destination country, head off the beaten path to find your host village/town and meet your homestay family.
Immersion is central to the weeks you spend in this new community, and to that end, your homestay family’s schedule and events in the community will dictate the daily agenda. Expect to participate in everything from farming to harvesting, cooking to cleaning, family events, community celebrations, holidays, and more.
The Kindred Experience also provides the opportunity to undertake a significant work project during the village stay that reflects the needs of the village and the skills and resources of the Kindred travelers. This project could be repairing a school, building sanitation systems, providing access to clean water, or teaching public health workshops.
Following the community stay, Kindred travelers will return to the road more traveled, visiting historic, cultural, and natural sites of importance around the country. Travelers in the group will have a say in planning the closing travel itinerary.