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My recent Soles4Souls trip to Guatemala was more than just a travel opportunity. It was a journey where I was able to provide a service that brought help to those in need. Every day, Soles4Souls offer incredible opportunities for people just like you and me to go to other countries to assist in providing a healthy life to those less fortunate.
With Soles4Souls Travel you experience new cultures, meet amazing people, and feel the fulfillment of serving people hands-on. There’s nothing quite like it and I am so immensely grateful for the chance to benefit someone’s life simply by giving them a pair of shoes.
What is Soles4Souls Travel?
If you followed my adventure to Guatemala, you saw that we did more than just take in the awesome scenic views of the country. Even though the weather wasn’t in our favor for some of the trip (like when we just wanted to see the dang view from a hike up a volcano!), it was an amazing experience where we were given the opportunity to help people in need.
Through Soles4Souls, they turn shoes and clothing into opportunities for those less fortunate. The coolest part in all of this is that not only does Soles4Souls provide items that people need, but they also give the opportunity to people to get jobs with them that aid in empowering them to break this vicious cycle.
Helping the Environment
The Soles4Souls impact doesn’t just help out those less fortunate – they also are benefiting our environment! By keeping shoes and clothing that would otherwise been thrown into landfills, they are experts in sustainability to make the world a better place – for more than one reason! Since 2006, their supporters and partners have aided in keeping 35 million pairs of shoes from going to waste, but instead were sent to 127 countries and all states in the US to give to those less fortunate.
I was such a great trip to be involved with, meeting all the kids and families just melted my heart. There are so many families that just need to be loved. I think the best thing I took away from this trip was that these kids have nothing but they are still full of joy and happiness!
A huge thank you to Danielle at Abbey Raine Photography for taking photos for me on this trip.
Exploring the Country – Antigua
After a few days of volunteering during a Soles4Souls Travel experience, you get to see some of the local area. While I plan one day to return to spend one week in Guatemala to explore more, I was glad to have time set aside on this trip. We spent an afternoon exploring the city of Antigua.
Hiking Pacaya Volcano
Volcano hiking is a huge part of the culture in Guatemala…there are 37 volcanoes! We went for a hike on Guatemala’s Pacaya Volcano (aka: Volcan de Pacaya). It was an easy hike, but unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate and we didn’t get much of a view. We did make s’mores with the volcano heat though which was a great way to end the hike.
Ways you can Give Back with Soles4Souls
So, you’re probably wondering how you can help Soles4Souls (S4S), right? And I have some cool opportunities to let you in on! There are actually 2 incredible ways you can give back through S4S:
Donate!
Whether it be your shoes or a small financial donation – Soles4Souls would love any kind of help that you are willing to offer! Be it your time or money, you are providing an incredible opportunity to give to those in need. You can also give your own shoes or even start a shoe drive where you can gather lightly-used donations and send them to S4S.
Travel!
When I went down to Guatemala with Soles4Souls Travel, it was something that I can’t even begin to describe. Meeting the faces and holding the children that we were helping brought so much fulfillment to my little heart! I almost exploded from happiness! Taking this hands-on approach really made a huge difference in seeing what happens when real, actual people are benefiting from something we all take for granted – shoes!
If you want to learn more information on how to help with Soles4Souls Travel, visit their website HERE and enter discount code bella50 when you register for a trip + save $50!
My experience volunteering with S4S was unbelievable. I am so humbled by the opportunity and think of simple things, like shoes, so differently now. Plus, it was a great way to visit another country to others that also want to serve.
When you volunteer with Soles4Souls, you’re not just getting a trip to another part of the world. It’s not even a trip where you get there you do a job and come back home. It really changes your mindset as to how much we can take for granted in our day-to-day lives. You are forced out of your comfort zone and see firsthand the results of your aid towards children and their families.
You are doing things like giving shoes out at a garbage dump to the families that live there and work there.
With Soles4Souls Travel you experience new cultures, meet amazing people, and feel the fulfillment of serving people hands-on. There’s nothing quite like it! Check it out if you are interested.
If you want to learn more information on how to help with Soles4Souls Travel, visit their website HERE. Enter discount code bella50 when you register for a trip and save $50!
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This post has been sponsored by Soles4Souls. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the destinations that support me.
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
Enjoy your times always🌹
I know a few people who go to Guatemala and Peru for different mission trips. It’s such a great way to give back, and visit & learn about another culture.
I know a few people who go to Guatemala and Peru for different mission trips. It’s such a great way to give back, and visit & learn about another culture.
What a great way to give back! My friend goes every year to Guatemala.
My friend’s dad always go to Guatemala for worthy cause. I love learning about culture and would love to visit this country.
What a wonderful experience!
Carrie
http://www.carriecolbert.com
I bet this was one amazing experience. I would have loved to do something like this too. I think it is so wonderful. I’m glad you were able to go.
My friend’s dad always go to Guatemala for worthy cause. I love learning about culture and would love to visit this country.
Checking this non profit out. I have never heard of them until now. I had done volunteering all of my life. It is a great way to give back and to just feel good about yourself and the impact that you are making on someone else or some other country. Soles for Souls is a great example of this. What a wonderful initiative. I was fortunate enough to be able to do two of these amazing volunteerism trips with global non profits and they were both life changing. I am looking for another worthy cause once again to share here as a journalist.
Learning about their culture, seeing the beauty of their country while helping at the same time definitely sounds like the best and wonderful trip ever. Good for you!