Here at Gate 1, our Foundation’s goal is to provide our travelers with the opportunity to discover, learn and make a bit of a difference in underprivileged communities, which greatly enrich us in return. We invest in educational infrastructure by donating construction (design, planning, materials & labor) for primary schools working with marginalized populations, or in developing areas. We then build schoolhouses, classrooms, libraries, lavatories, and much more. It is our hope that a construction project at a school can give communities the infrastructure they need to improve education for years to come. To join us on this wonderful journey, check out some of Gate 1‘s Discovery Tours that allow travelers to get involved in the Foundation and make a direct impact on the lives of the locals.
Colombia
The Foundation’s sole supported school in Colombia is Casa Italia in the district of Boca Azul Boquilla, located in the heart of Cartagena, a bustling port city on the Caribbean coast, on the far northwestern tip of South America. Gate 1 Foundation allows children from poor families living in precarious situations to have access to a comprehensive education, as well as food programs, healthcare, and other essential resources. Travelers visiting Colombia through Gate 1’s 13 Day Wonders of Colombia: Highlands to the Caribbean Guided Tour are encouraged to bring small items and school supplies for the children. This is greatly appreciated by the local community! Aiding the foundation with these essential educational materials that most students’ families can’t afford helps to supplement large-scale contributions, multiplying your positive impact.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of Gate 1 Foundation’s earliest country collaborators. The Foundation supports three schools in Costa Rica, all located in Alajuela Province in the North central region of the country, in a town called San Carlos Canton. The town has few high-paying jobs. Many residents work on fruit farms or in factories, which provide the main source of income for those who are employed. Because most adults in the area have not completed their education, better-paying opportunities are out of reach. This, in turn, limits the resources available for their children’s school supplies and other basic educational needs.
The names of the three schools the Foundation supports are the La Union School, Villa Maria School, and the Conception School. Some of the major projects completed under the foundation are playgrounds, computer labs, classroom and kitchen roofing. Travelers from our Discovery Tours are encouraged to bring notebooks, pencils (colored and/or lead), pens, glue, rulers, and used functional technology such as tablets (with any necessary charging cables).
Morocco
The Foundation’s sole supported school in Morocco is Association Ziz Accueil in the town of Rissani, located in Errachidia Province in the eastern part of the country. It is the closest town of significant size to the Erg Chebbi, the largest sand desert in Morocco. This is not a traditional school, but rather a privately funded multi-purpose learning center for local children and their mothers. Since Gate 1 has been able to fund this Foundation, the ground floor of the building was refurbished. The renovations and updates we’ve been able to help provide include new flooring for the classroom, both Turkish and English toilets, and wall repairs and replacements. On the second floor, new roofing was added, both the interior and exterior were newly painted, electricity was updated, and new flooring installed. Travelers visiting on Gate 1’s Discovery Tours are encouraged to bring schoolbooks in French or Arabic, coloring books, colored pencils, felt pens, and gently used technology such as tablets (with any necessary charging cables).
Not only are you helping children throughout this process, but you’re also aiding the women of Morocco as well. Without the existence of this facility, women of the community would have little to no access to learning or support services. Every act of kindness is greatly appreciated, you never know how much of an impact you can have on someone’s life.
Conclusion
The beauty of helping those who are less fortunate than us is understated. Even if a traveler is visiting the Foundation for a few hours on their trip, these brief moments help change a child’s life for the better.
Our Foundation locations currently include Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Jordan, Morocco, Nepal, Peru, South America, and Thailand. If you’re interested in learning more about Gate 1 Foundation’s work, click here. To visit one of these wonderful schools, travelers can click here to browse our Discovery Tours that allow for this unique and unforgettable experience.
