Sponsoring people to travel
Have you even been sponsored to travel? If so, who sponsored you? Where did you go?
B Posts: 24.4K
Sometimes threads are posted here on TravelBlog, by people looking for others to sponsor their travels.
My first thought is always, 'why dont they save up for it, like the rest of us do?; but maybe there is more to it... Reply to this
My first thought is always, 'why dont they save up for it, like the rest of us do?; but maybe there is more to it... Reply to this
B Posts: 972
I have the same opinion as you, Mell. Unless it's for charity (in which case why not just give the money directly to the charity?) it seems a bit rude to ask strangers to fund your travels.
J. Reply to this
J. Reply to this
B Posts: 24.4K
...in which case why not just give the money directly to the charity?
Good point! Those people doing it for charity make it seem like they are making a great sacrifice, to get the money, when in fact they are doing something that we would love to be doing right now. Reply to this
B Posts: 31
One reason I can think of is if the person donating was unable to travel themselves - elderly or disabled, and wanting to live vicariously through someone younger. Especially if the person donating had travelled themselves in the past. Other than that, you have a point, why not just donate directly. Reply to this
B Posts: 972
B Posts: 24.4K
No, but we'll sponsor you.....
But, with information and advice, rather than with money. ;)
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B Posts: 4,685
Any chance these people are looking for a sponsor in an official capacity (non-monetary) in order to obtain a visa for instance? Reply to this
B Posts: 972
B Posts: 24.4K
Ones like the ones in this thread look like fun. Companies give you free stuff like t-shirts etc in return for you wearing them while travelling. There was somebody here on TravelBlog who mentioned a while ago, that a company sent him free travel bags, because he travels so much. I suppose they wanted their brand name to be seen in airports and hotel lobbys all over the world.
There was one thread specifically that I remember, and I got the impression that the opening poster wanted people to actually fund her travels.
Any chance these people are looking for a sponsor in an official capacity (non-monetary) in order to obtain a visa for instance?
There was one thread specifically that I remember, and I got the impression that the opening poster wanted people to actually fund her travels.
[Edited: 12:17 - Mell ]
Reply to thisB Posts: 24.4K
Also, it is quite common in Ireland, for people going on charity travels. They do something like cycle in a group around Nepal or someplace. Before they go, they ask people to sponsor them. If they succeed in getting enough sponsorship promises, they are allowed to go. Then they collect the money, which is given to a specific charity. But some of it is also used for their trip, flight tickets etc. Reply to this
B Posts: 24.4K
Here is blog specifically about a charity sponsorship trip. I dont know if all the money this one collects goes to the charity, or if some of it is used for the trip, or not. Paul Huntley
I will put a link to this thread as a comment on one of their blogs. Maybe they will join us on this thread and explain how it works, and also explain if they are typical, or do other sponsored trips work differently. They havent logged in, for a while though...
I will put a link to this thread as a comment on one of their blogs. Maybe they will join us on this thread and explain how it works, and also explain if they are typical, or do other sponsored trips work differently. They havent logged in, for a while though...
[Edited: 12:27 - Mell ]
Reply to thisB Posts: 24.4K
B Posts: 4,685
> Ali, you mean providing something like an invitation letter?
Yes - that's the one. I guess it might apply to a few of them - but not all. Reply to this
Yes - that's the one. I guess it might apply to a few of them - but not all. Reply to this
B Posts: 1,437
Mell, I guess you refer to me about the free bag that was sent to me. For info, there is no logo of the company to be found on the bag. Never asked for it, and when it arrived, found it was a fun surprise. This has nothing to do with charity. Not from the company, not from my side.
Let's not mix few things:
Sponsorship by other individuals for our own travel in order to finance some kind of charity. Would tend to agree with Jon on this point.
Being used as a living billboard for whichever reason. Well, we can make many different topics about it, if it's for charity, I don't see why not. Helping others can take many different ways in life.
Sponsorship in form of an invitation letter. In some countries, this is the only way to get there to help...it's another thing, and we should always help those ready to help.
What we may all not enjoy much, is people we have never heard of, with who we have no affiliation, making requests for any support, without any kind of credential. Would you give money to a stranger who claim he is going to save the world. Maybe not, and this is why there are well established organization to help us sort out things.
But than again. I have many friends who work for NGO...and why do we need to sponsor a Land Cruiser for a NGO worker in Phnom Phen, using his vehicule to go from his villa to his office everyday while collecting a nice "compensation" every month....some of these NGO guys are honest enough to let you know they have landed a great job/package...some will tell you they need your "charity" to save the children...while their monthly salary is the equivalent of 30 local staff monthly salary (and minimum 100 times the minimum salary)...and I do not speak of the cost of that Land Cruiser.
My own little cent, we should all be grateful of people who give their time or their expertise for NGO like MSF ( Doctor without borders)...I really support their ethic. Reply to this
Let's not mix few things:
Sponsorship by other individuals for our own travel in order to finance some kind of charity. Would tend to agree with Jon on this point.
Being used as a living billboard for whichever reason. Well, we can make many different topics about it, if it's for charity, I don't see why not. Helping others can take many different ways in life.
Sponsorship in form of an invitation letter. In some countries, this is the only way to get there to help...it's another thing, and we should always help those ready to help.
What we may all not enjoy much, is people we have never heard of, with who we have no affiliation, making requests for any support, without any kind of credential. Would you give money to a stranger who claim he is going to save the world. Maybe not, and this is why there are well established organization to help us sort out things.
But than again. I have many friends who work for NGO...and why do we need to sponsor a Land Cruiser for a NGO worker in Phnom Phen, using his vehicule to go from his villa to his office everyday while collecting a nice "compensation" every month....some of these NGO guys are honest enough to let you know they have landed a great job/package...some will tell you they need your "charity" to save the children...while their monthly salary is the equivalent of 30 local staff monthly salary (and minimum 100 times the minimum salary)...and I do not speak of the cost of that Land Cruiser.
My own little cent, we should all be grateful of people who give their time or their expertise for NGO like MSF ( Doctor without borders)...I really support their ethic. Reply to this
D Posts: 94
I grown up in a Christian family where mission like helping people was so important. To be honest - it's always disgust me how people would use other peoples money to go on a mission or be an NGO and say I did that and that.... It's always easy to live on other people money who put it in with honesty to help people in needs.... Reply to this
B Posts: 972
But Maria, how about missionaries who are sponsored by their churches to work abroad? Surely it is ok for them to receive help paying their rent, if they are doing good work and doing it well?
J. Reply to this
J. Reply to this
D Posts: 94
You've got it... I hate that too. You know apostle Pal was working the same time he was doing his mission! That's what I'm talking about. Spend what you earn on you rmission and don't except others to spend on it... Use what you've got from God!!! Reply to this
B Posts: 24.4K
Here is a new member, who is climbing Mt climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of children in Africa and South Asia.
michaelballing
I put the following comment on this members first blog.
Hello Michael :)
If you have time, would you tell us a bit more, on the following thread about your sponsored travel, and describe if what you are doing is typical of sponsored travel, for charity. ie Does the sponsorship actually cover your travel expenses, or do you pay those yourself? What percentage of the money you collect goes to the charities?
http://www.travelblog.org/Topics/21270-1.html
Mel
michaelballing
I put the following comment on this members first blog.
Hello Michael :)
If you have time, would you tell us a bit more, on the following thread about your sponsored travel, and describe if what you are doing is typical of sponsored travel, for charity. ie Does the sponsorship actually cover your travel expenses, or do you pay those yourself? What percentage of the money you collect goes to the charities?
http://www.travelblog.org/Topics/21270-1.html
Mel
[Edited: 19:17 - Mell ]
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