Backpacking With a Purpose

As an International Development student at the University of Guelph I have had the opportunity to be exposed to the most complex, interesting, and intriguing issues the world is currently facing. During my time as a student, I have realized that the learning from my program is redundant if I do not imply in the real world. After my trip to Guatemala, and getting to speak to multiple crowds about my experience, I knew that it was not enough to simply learn these lessons from a textbook; rather, there was an undeniable calling for me to travel and learn these complexities in all of their worth.

Recently, I was granted the opportunity through Operation Groundswell to do an analysis of the concept of “Fair Trade” within the Guatemalan coffee industry. Within my work with NGO’s and field work, I gained new perspectives, paradigms, and memories; but the most important lesson that I learned on this trip was simple: educational learning does not have borders, especially not classroom walls.

                  This summer, I will be taking my education to a new level. This level involves indulging myself into a much less developed nation than Guatemala – I will be travelling to West Africa to do an assisted grassroots analysis within socio-political, and also political-economic components through living with locals and working with NGO’s. This analysis will involve volunteer opportunities in schools that provide a very select few within this country the education they need in order to further develop both individually, and as a country. Through this study, I seek to gain knowledge of how to make the distribution of foreign aid more efficient both globally and domestically. These six weeks spent in Ghana will allow me to examine these systematic problems first hand and also allow me to digest the complexity of the issues that are so deeply rooted into the societal culture and history.

                  I am grateful as a student to be given the opportunity to attend the University of Guelph and have the  ability to study the topics like dependence theories, modernization theories, and the cause and effects of globalization; but I am more privileged to have the support from my friends and family to embark on this new path. Although I do work part-time as a sport facilitator in the intramural program, there is a heavy financial burden associated with this trip. I am seeking assistance to help cover the costs of my flight and accommodations.

                  In order to do so, this year, I will be hosting a golf tournament on May 25^th at Glen Eagle Golf Club, in Caledon East, to raise funds for this trip. I am sending you this letter in hopes that you could contribute to this once in a lifetime opportunity by participating in this tournament. The cost of the tournament is $150.00 which includes: 18 holes of golf (in a team scramble format), longest drive, closest to the pin, and closest to the line contests, door prizes, a raffle table, and an all you can eat dinner.  We are hoping you can join us for a great day and for a great cause. All participation is greatly appreciated, and all support goes a long way to helping me along the path to obtain my educational and life goals. If you are interested in attending, please feel free to email trumney@uoguelph.ca or call (647) 228- 6795. If you cannot attend, but would like to make a financial contribution to the cause, cheques can be made out to Kelly Rumney. The reason it must be a personalized cheque is due to it not being a registered organization and not a tax write off.

Sincerely,

Travis Rumney