Global Community Impact

November 2024 – Rustic Pathways, a leading company in the field of responsible travel and community service, is proud to announce its continued commitment to making a lasting impact on communities across the world. With a focus on responsible travel, community service, and the Rustic Pathways Foundation, the organization aims to bring positive change to communities in need.

Rustic Pathways’ dedication to building stronger communities aligns with its mission to construct meaningful programs that empower travelers to make a difference. The company’s partners and stakeholders play a crucial role in achieving these goals, creating opportunities for students, employees, and volunteers to engage in impactful projects throughout the year.

We believe through responsible travel and well-designed service initiatives, our students can gain an understanding of pressing social and environmental challenges at a global level and help combat these challenges at a local level by:

• Identifying and designing long-term projects with local partners
• Providing students opportunities to engage in meaningful service
• Working together to achieve community and student goals
• Monitoring and evaluating the process and impact of ongoing initiatives
• Ensuring projects are sustainable and have a lasting impact

Sacred Valley Project (Peru)

Since 2016, Rustic Pathways has supported the Sacred Valley Project, which helps provide educational access for girls in rural Andean communities.

In 2018 alone, 48 students from 18 communities received 1,000 hours of tutoring, and over 19,000 meals were provided. 95% of the students passed their courses, and 100% of the seniors graduated high school.

This initiative contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals focused on education and gender equality​

Sustainable Development Goals Alignment

Rustic Pathways’ community service projects directly align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

These include initiatives in education, gender equality, climate action, and sustainable communities. Incorporating information about how these goals guide Rustic’s operations could help highlight the organization’s broader global impact​.

Student Impact and Engagement

Rustic Pathways’ students are actively involved in their service programs, not just as participants but also as ongoing supporters through the Rustic Pathways Foundation. They return home as Impact Ambassadors, continuing to advocate for the causes they supported.

This creates a lasting ripple effect, both in the communities they visit and within their own communities

Comprehensive Approach to Community Service

Rustic Pathways follows a thorough process in developing and implementing service projects.

This includes identifying community needs in partnership with local organizations, providing meaningful service opportunities for students, and ensuring sustainability through ongoing support.

• Global General Project Fund
• Australia Wildlife Fund
• Cambodia Education Fund
• Costa Rica Development Fund
• Dominican Republic Housing Fund
• Fiji Education Fund
• Laos Education Fund
• Peru Amazon Conservation Fund
• Peru (Sacred Valley) Education Fund
• Tanzania Education Fund
• Thailand Education Fund
• United States (Baltimore) Refugee Fund
• United States (New Orleans) Housing Fund