Alta Via's Social Responsibility
Alta Via Consulting, LLC. is committed to the plight of people less privileged than ourselves. The partners and consultants are dedicated to helping people hit by natural disasters or disadvantaged through social or economic circumstances. For a number of years, we have teamed up with leading international humanitarian organizations to contribute through our efforts towards lightening the plight of disadvantaged communities. Below is a review of some of the projects – with photos – that we have had the privilege of participating in.
Our 2011 Service Project:
The Sitka Conservation Society & The Sitka Fine Arts Camp
Our 2011 service project occurred in August this year, at the inner coastal city of Sitka, Alaska. We worked in conjunction with The Sitka Conservation Society, who is dedicated to protecting the largest remaining temperate rainforest – Tongass National Forest, and the Sitka Fine Arts Camp, who is relocating their fine arts camp to the National Historic Landmark Sheldon Jackson Campus. Our volunteer time included collecting debris on Krustof Island, as well as construction and landscraping efforts on the Sheldon Jackson Campus. We loved helping out the two organizations and enjoyed the unparalleled beauty of the land, water and wildlife found in southeast Alaska. Thanks to Roger Schmidt, Director at the Sitka Fine Arts Camp, and Andrew Thoms, Executive Director (and Carrie!) of The Sitka Conservation Society for their leadership and friendship on our Alaskan journey!
Our 2010 Service Project:
Durbanville Kinderhuis Children's Home
Our 2010 service project took place north of Cape Town, South Africa, volunteering our time and effort for the Durbanville Kinderhuis Children's Home. For three consecutive days we painted, repaired and cleaned one of the children's dormitory homes. We hope that our time spent on site fulfilled a few of this organization's goals and helped to contribute towards the dream that "All children have wings, we teach them to fly". We all had a fantastic time at the orphanage and were treated like royalty. Thanks to the Executive Director and staff for all the hospitality and kindness shared!
2009 Service Project:
The Navajo Nation in Arizona with WorldServants
Team Alta Via has just completed our latest service project on the Cottonwood Flats near Chinle, Arizona on the Navajo Reservation. From July 12 to July 16, we worked in conjunction with WorldServants to complete several construction projects for the Tselani-Cottonwood Chapter House community. We also took time to connect with the Navajo community by holding a Kid’s Club every day which included playing Frisbee, soccer, singing and making various crafts with the children each morning. Below is a group picture taken after building a fieldstone walkway at The Alpha and Omega Church. After completing the construction assignments, Alta Via members enjoyed hiking around a local mesa as well as the 2.5 mile round trip hike of Canyon de Chelly.
2008 Service Project:
Dominican Republic with WorldServants
Alta Via Consulting in partnership with WorldServants travelled to the Dominican Republic to help with the construction and painting of a school in the Romano area. For this construction project, we worked with members of the local community and had the privilege to be part of a kids club in the afternoons where the local children learned to make some craft items and eagerly interacted with our entire team.
At play with the children of the community.
2007 Service Project:
New Orleans with Habitat for Humanity
The devastation of Hurricane Katrina is still fresh in everybody’s mind. Much remains to be done in the New Orleans area. Alta Via in partnership with Habitat for Humanity dedicated time in November of 2007 to help with the rebuilding process in New Orleans. The photos below are of the house that the Alta Via team helped putting the finishing touches to.
2006 Service Project:
Costa Rica with Adapte
In partnership with a micro financing company, Adapte, Alta Via went to Costa Rica in November 2006 to help in some of the poorest communities in San Jose. We distributed food baskets, repaired the roof of the Adapte office building and painted the houses of some Adapte clients. Typical of micro financing organizations, Adapte, helps people to become financially independent through small community loans to start an own business. Loans are granted only after training in basic accountability and business management principles. Loans can be as small as $50 or $60 to buy a second hand sewing machine to start a business. The micro financing concept has been hugely succeed around the world in helping people to help themselves.
