OUR NEW PROGRAM-BICYCLE TOURS
While empowering women and saving sites, we noticed another group of people of talented people who had little or no economic opportunity and little relationship to their heritage — young adults. Indeed the women we were working with in many communities asked us if we could create a similar program for their daughters and sons. So in collaboration with National Geographic we did!
We inaugurated an exciting new project at the site of Pachacamac, Peru last month. Twelve women and men, ages 18-22, will be giving bicycle tours of the almost 5 square mile monumental site. We developed an intensive business and bicycling training program, including site knowledge, customer service, bike maintenance, first aid, and management. Demand has been amazingly high and the reviews fantastic, and our tour leaders are already earning meaningful income in their new jobs Check out these amazing young people in this video and come take a tour!! We will be rolling out this program in several sites around the world. Stay tuned on our blog for further announcements about BiciTours or read more about it here.
The Bicitours Inauguration, with project participants and representatives of collaborators National Geographic, SPI and Museo Pachacamac.
SPI LAUNCHES IN NEW COUNTRIES
SPI is expanding! We want to take our paradigm, featuring our "mini business school" for people with little formal education, around the world. We have had incredible success building futures and saving pasts —jobs created, women empowered, and an end to site destruction. It’s time for SPI to launch our model into some new countries!!
SPI personnel have just returned from Tanzania and Bulgaria, two countries on our expansion shortlist. Both countries' heritage is in danger from encroachment and alternative economic uses, and surrounding communities who feel they do not benefit from their cultural heritage. They need jobs and training of the type that SPI provides, and numerous women who only want a chance at a better future. We met with local social entrepreneurs and heritage experts who agreed that their cultural sites are in need of the SPI paradigm.
The site of Kilwa Kisiwani, Tanzania, and the modern community living within it
OUR ED ON JEOPARDY
Larry Coben, far left, competing on Jeopardy!
Our Executive Director, Larry Coben appeared on Jeopardy on September 14th. While he lost when he missed Final Jeopardy, we (and he) were happy that he answered several questions correctly. Larry had a great time and we are proud of him. And he will never forget Richard Branson. You can see him here.
PROSPEROUS FUTURES START HERE
SPI empowers women and preserves heritage. And we want to do more of that. We cannot do this alone. We need your help to keep building futures and saving pasts. The more support we receive for this mission, the more effective the results. Please join us in helping impoverished communities and the archaeological sites around which they live. Any donation you make will be greatly appreciated.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT OUR WORK, PLEASE CLICK HERE
Your support has meant prosperity for poor communities and saved endangered archaeological sites around the world. Thank you for all that you do.