Travel Opportunities

The Dining for Women travel program provides a unique opportunity to connect face-to-face with the women we serve. These experiences deepen our understanding of the issues faced by women around the world, while fostering strong bonds of friendship with the other travelers in our group. These life-changing trips are open to Dining for Women chapter leaders and members alike. 

So far, DFW has organized several trips, to Nepal and  to Peru in 2011,  to Kenya and Uganda in 2010, and to India in 2007. (Click the links to read more!) In each trip, we met with groups that we've supported in the past, finding out first-hand the impacts that our contributions have made in the lives of the women we support. 

Dining for Women 2012 Travel Program

We are excited to announce the following wonderful trips we have put together for our members! For 2012, DFW is planning 3 trips, including two service trips for the first time ever, as well as a fundraising trip that will be open to DFW members and their husbands/partners/significant others. Additionally, a trip is planned for the beginning of 2013 that we will also be accepting reservations for. The trip schedule is as follows:

Nicaragua
May 24 thru June 3; and
El Salvador 
November 1 thru 11
Service trips with PINCC (Prevention International: No Cervical Cancer)

We will meet up with the traveling medical team from PINCC, and support them in their trainings of local doctors, and screenings of local women for cervical cancer. PINCC uses an innovative yet simple technique of a vinegar wash to find cancerous or pre-cancerous cells. Our traveler volunteers will be limited to 10 participants, half of whom need to have skills in either the medical field or fluent Spanish to assist directly with patients and exams. The other 5 travelers will be helping with medical record keeping and instrument sterilization. Be prepared for long work days under developing-world conditions. We will be working alongside PINCC for 5 days, with two days on either side of the workweek to explore the nearby countryside.

PINCC was supported by DFW in February 2011. For more info on PINCC, see their website at www.pincc.org. Also see more info from DFW on this program at http://diningforwomen.org/node/760

Approximate cost: $1650-$1750 plus airfare
Maximum group size: 10

Kenya
September 2-13, 2012

Fundraising trip open to DFW members and their husbands/partners/significant others. Cost of trip includes a tax-deductible donation to DFW of $500 per person.

This extraordinary travel experience will provide a wealth of opportunities to meet and interact with the people of Kenya, as well as abundant game viewing in the top three areas of the country.  Possible connections* include Kibera School for Girls, Umoja Women’s Village, Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Kitengela Glass Project, and Maji Moto Maasai Widow’s Village.
You’ll also experience Big Five game viewing in Samburu, Nakuru and the Maasai Mara at the peak of the Annual Migration when up to two million wildebeest, many thousands of zebra and an escort of carnivores from the Serengeti Plains move northward in search of greener pastures.  Quality lodging for 11 nights including luxury tented camps in the bush, guaranteed window seat in comfortable vans with open-top roofs, expert naturalist guides, all meals and LOTS of delightful surprises.

Approximate cost: $5,500 plus airfare to Nairobi
Maximum group size: 18

*Itinerary and details not yet finalized

Vietnam
Late January, 2013 (dates tentative)
Cultural exchange trip with Children of Vietnam

Dining for Women travelers will have the unique opportunity to visit a program that has been funded in the past (April 2009), and will also be receiving additional funding in May 2012. This will allow travelers to meet with recipients of past support and witness the changes that have occurred in their lives as the result of our funding, as well as visit with women who are just starting the program with 2012 funds. We plan to meet students who have received past scholarships, visit businesses we’ve helped fund, and participate in a celebratory dinner that will allow program participants from various parts of area to meet each other and share their successes. Additionally, we will have time both pre-and post-program to visit some of the highlight destinations within Vietnam.

For more information on Children of Vietnam, visit their website at www.childrenofvietnam.org. Also see more info from DFW on this program at http://diningforwomen.org/node/431.

Maximum group size: 18
Costs not yet determined, but within range of other DFW trips.

______________________________

To reserve your space, Click here and fill out the linked interest form.

Please respond with your interest by January 31st. Those filling out the interest form will be contacted, and deposits to secure your reservation will follow once we have an idea of how many travelers are interested in each trip.

Participant selection process: Due to the popularity of the DFW travel program, if trips fill beyond capacity priority will be given to those who dedicate many volunteer hours to help DFW operate. Therefore, there are three tiers for selection. The first tier is for those who volunteer on a national level, second to leaders of DFW chapters and third to chapter members. Also, if trips fill past capacity, priority will also be given to those who have not experienced a DFW trip in the past.


If you have further questions about the travel program, or for more info on any of these trips, please email travel@diningforwomen.org

Looking forward to traveling with you in 2012!
Patricia Andersson and the DFW Travel Team

Quotes from past
participants of DFW trips:

“The experience was worth its weight in gold!”

“I usually avoid group travel, but this trip makes me rethink that view. The group was small enough not to be cumbersome, and what an interesting group of women!”

“We needed only to show up for activities – all logistics and planning were meticulous – great organization!”

“Everyone inspired me and increased my desire to make a difference…I will not return to the USA the same person!”

“What a gift it has been to experience some aspects of (Kenyans’) lives…and to leave knowing that connection has been made and that we will always carry it in our hearts.”