Sustainable Tourism - BikeHike Adventures Commitment to Giving Back

Sustainable tourism is the banner in which BikeHike Adventures operates, and each year we look for different projects worldwide to support and help to raise cultural awareness. This year, we are donating $25 US on behalf of every traveller who signs up for a BikeHike Adventure in 2007, to the Manjari Sankurathri Memorial Foundation in India. MSMF is a non-profit charitable organization to help the rural poor, needy and downtrodden.

The Foundation conducts three major programs. Srikiran Institute of Ophthalmology, Sarada Vidyalayam - an upper primary school and Disaster Relief. We are supporting all 3 programs, but the majority of the money will go to cataract surgery for the elderly. Many elderly in India have developed cataracts and have become blind. This is caused from years of working in agricultural fields in the intense sun without the protection of sunglasses. $50 US per person is the cost of cataract surgery in India, and will return one’s eyesight and protect it for a lifetime.

Srikiran Institute of Ophthalmology is a major provider of eye care services to over 20 million people in India. Eye-related afflictions are widespread among these rural populations; blindness is usually caused by cataracts, glaucoma, or diabetes which can be easily prevented and treated.

Sarada Vidyalayam, a primary school from Grades 1 to 7, provides free education to local children. In addition to the regular curriculum it offers, the school focuses on discipline and the overall development of the child. Children receive free school supplies, uniforms, nutritious midday meals, regular health checkups and medication, when required.

The Disaster Relief program provides help to people affected by disasters such as cyclones, floods, hurricanes and earthquakes. This program helps with basic necessities such as food, drinking water, medical aid, medicines and clothes during times of crisis. Every year since its inception, the organization distributes food packages to families evacuated during the cyclone season.

If you'd like to further information about The Manjari Sankurathri Memorial Foundation, or want to make a contribution, please visit www.msmf.ca

Also expect to see India as a new destination for BikeHike Adventures in the very near future.

Happy Trails,
Trish Sare,
Director