South America

In 2018, a group of friends traveled on the Disney Wonder on a Panama Canal cruise. We arranged a donation drive for Cartagena Paws as Cartagena, Colombia was a port-of-call. Dozens of cruisers from a 500 member FaceBook group donated through their Amazon Wish List, cash donations, and packed animal supplies. Representatives of Cartagena Paws,... Continue reading

For my high school graduation present, my family decided to go to Ecuador. On this trip abroad, my mom shared the idea of Packing for a Purpose, so I decided to try it. Originally it was a need for community service hours, but throughout the process I forgot about the time I was spending and... Continue reading

I’ve been taking school supplies, clothing, and other items to Brazil for as long as I can remember, so it was an exciting discovery to learn about Pack for a Purpose, an organization that was doing this formally all over the world! My old routine involved culling my closet, Marie Kondo style, and gathering up... Continue reading

My name is Sophia Dhupar and this year, my family and I went to visit Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  Last year (2017), we traveled to India and I donated more than 300 pounds of school supplies to two schools in New Delhi.  I wanted to donate school supplies to schools in need this year as... Continue reading

I became familiar with Pack for Purpose this year while attending a business trip with my husband in Curacao. I was deeply touched by just donating basic items that we take for granted can make such an impact in someone else’s life. So when we planned our Christmas holiday vacation to Cartagena, Colombia, I knew... Continue reading

My name is Feh and helping others has always been a passion of mine since I was a young girl. I am the daughter of 2 immigrants from Cameroon. Cameroon is a country full of resources and beautiful people but has its own issues. I had the opportunity to travel there to visit my family... Continue reading

For Diana Greenbaum, the Pack for a Purpose experience was proof that giving is receiving. Ahead of her vacation to Ecuador, Greenbaum, who is the counselor for the Brighton Boys & Girls Club in Florida, coordinated a supply drive with the Native American youth in her local community. They collected 50 pounds of supplies for... Continue reading

We have supported Pack for a Purpose for many years, so when we decided to visit Cartagena immediately went to the PfaP website to find local charities. Cartagena highlights the contrasts of tourism. The color and lights of the old colonial town, alongside the desperate need for supplies. We talked to Barbara from Vacation Rentals... Continue reading

I was on a climbing tour of Ecuador and at the end of the trip I spent a few days in the Amazon using the travel agency Soleq Travel in Quito. I collected school and personal supplies in the USA from friends and family. Diego, the owner of Soleq, took me to Refugio de los... Continue reading

In April my husband and I participated in Pack for A Purpose for the second time.  This time we visited a school in the mountain community of Anqoto Misminay, Peru.  As with our first trip, we were able to visit the school and deliver the items in person. It was a remarkable experience to meet... Continue reading