How we can help each other in this time.
In what is an unprecedented and ever-changing time, it is extremely difficult to be certain of anything. The economy, our health, our community and our everyday lifestyles have been upturned for the foreseeable future and the uncertainty surrounding the conclusion of this saga makes it all the more ominous.
What we do know at Challenges Abroad is that we must not lose our sense of community. We will come back from this crisis, hopefully stronger than ever. We hope that your desire to travel will be reinvigorated, and your empathy and aspirations to make the world a better place will be as strong as ever.
It is particularly in this time that we can realise the strength and unity of not only our community as Australians, but more importantly, our global community. We are here to help build each other up in a time where positivity and optimism may otherwise be lacking.
We must all support each other, in what is an evolving climate, to find the silver lining in our new daily realities. We are still up and running and will continue to do so. Join us in making this period of our lives one which we will remember as showing the strength of humanity to adapt and flourish in times of crisis and precariousness.
But what are some things that you can be doing right now to make this sad time more uplifting?
If you are someone who wanted to join us on a challenge this year, but have had to make alternative arrangements, you could instead donate to the FutureSense Foundation. This is our charity who are responsible for supporting our communities in Cambodia, Nepal, India, Tanzania, Peru and Thailand. Without our volunteering trips, these communities will be left to fend for themselves at a time when they need our support more than ever.
Unfortunately, it is often in times like these where the most vulnerable are the worst affected. If you are willing and able, a donation to the Future Sense Foundation can help to keep these children in school and preserve a precarious community which is currently dependent on our programs.
But aside from us at Challenges Abroad, there is a whole other part of the world that needs support – from your friend living abroad, to your elderly neighbour.
Have you called your grandparents today? Have you checked in with your co-workers? Have you Facetimed your best friend? Asked your parents if they were okay?
It is these daily activities which we usually do when we meet each other face-to-face that can often be overlooked. In a time of loneliness, distancing and isolation, it is important that we do not feel socially or emotionally distant from each other. Call your friends tonight and catch-up. Watch a movie over FaceTime with your sister. It’s important we uphold some sense of normalcy and care for each other in this extremely difficult time.
And then there are businesses. With many businesses upended by this crisis, it is extremely important we think about where we spend our money. Instead of going to Coles or Woolies on your Saturday grocery shop, how about you visit your local butcher or grocer. Take your dog for a walk and get a takeaway coffee from your local café. Get delivery from your local pizza shop on Friday night. It is these small acts which can easily be done whilst physically distancing yourself from others that will help to keep a sense of normalcy, positivity and optimism amongst us all.
We hope that this crisis will be defeated, and we will all come out stronger than ever. After all, we are all in the same boat. This is not goodbye from Challenges Abroad – we are still here for you and our challenge hubs. We will be running trips when it is safe to do so and are still taking booking for our trips at the end of 2020 and in early 2021.