Hurray! Passports With Purpose 2011 has arrived!

It’s here…the day the travel blogging community has been waiting for; Passports with Purpose 2011 begins today!

What is Passports with Purpose?

This is the innovative charity event of the online travel community!  Travel bloggers love to travel and we also love to make this world a better place.  During this holiday season we are once again setting our focus on an ambitious goal to help those in need.

Last year, Passports with Purpose raised nearly 30,000 dollars and built a school in rural Cambodia. The Passports School opened in early October, and now, there are a few hundred kids learning, reading, gaining the opportunity to thrive thanks to your efforts.

This year, we’re supporting LAFTI, an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of the Dalit (untouchable) population in India.  Raising $50,000, we will build a village in India, providing homes for those that had never home to have a roof over their heads!

Are you really going to build a village in India?

Absolutely!  If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know how much I love India and how important volunteering is to me.  Instead of giving my time volunteering, this is a way to actually make even more of an impact and build something that will last forever.  This is a chance for us to work together as a group to give back to people who desperately need it.  Please consider being involved in the world outside your borders and reach out; help build homes and infrastructure.

How can I help AND win great travel gifts?

It’s simple!  For each 10 dollar donation to LAFTI, your get entered into a drawing for a prize of your choice. And yes, that donation is tax deductible.  The list of prizes is absolutely amazing.  Each blogger has donated some wonderful travel related prizes (including my donation below).  You can’t lose in this year’s Passports with Purpose!

Ottsworld and CAMENAE are donating the luxurious Deity Traveler Bag in Nero

Travel in luxury with the CAMENAE Deity Traveler:

The Original “Deity” Bag outfitted with the “Harmonia” extension travel strap (as pictured on left).

– Enamel CAMENAE key ring/bag charm.
– Top zip closure, front flap and back exterior slit pockets for quick ticket access.
– Interior tassel zip and open pockets.
– Italian lining.

Bag:15 l x 5.5 w x 11 h inches
Made in Italy

Value:  $1,240 USD

Travel First Class with the luxurious Deity Traveler.  Personalise your bag with accessories (as pictured)*

Why CAMENAE?  Read the story of how I met the well-traveled women behind the brand–>  How to find a job while on a career break.

I’m ready to donate – what are the next steps?

Head on over to the Passports with Purpose Donation page and enter your tax deductible donation today!  Then choose the prizes you want to enter in the drawing to win; donate and enter as many times as you want…please!  Finally – be patient( as if you were waiting for Santa to arrive) and  on December 17th you”ll be notified if you have won!

Passports with Purpose Donation Page

All entries must be received by Dec 13, 2010 11:59PM PST.  Winners are randomly selected and will be notified by email on December 17, 2010.

*Accessories are not included with the Deity Traveler bag as part of the Passports With Purpose donation.

Thanks to all of the amazing sponsors associated with Passports with Purpose Campaign:

BootsnAll, LiveMocha, Round the World with Us, HomeAway, Traveller’s Point, Hostelling International, Quintess, Raveable, TravelPost, and Uptake.