Charity Travel is a travel referral business that works with tour operators who have agreed to split a significant portion of their commission to charitable programs in sub-Saharan Africa.  With no additional costs to the traveler, the net proceeds are donated to Empowers Africa. Through its portfolio of vetted travel companies, Charity Travel connects travelers to the ideal agent to book anything from a long weekend in Paris to an African safari to an immersive trip to Japan or to see the northern lights. Each company has been hand-picked to ensure that they have both a proven record of providing transformative travel experiences as well as commitment to sustainability.

 

Empowers Africa congratulates the team from Rhino Ride 2017 who raised over $150,000 for rhino support in Africa. In March 2017 Matt Meyer started his ride from Blaine, WA to San Diego, CA pulling a life-sized fiberglass rhino behind him. The awareness this campaign created for the plight of rhinos is remarkable. The funds were divided and granted among three organizations: Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary; Save the Rhino Trust; and Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

 

Natural Resource Conservation Network (NRCN) is a network of professionals who, in private public partnership arrangement with the Government of the Republic of Uganda, conduct investigation, prosecution and reporting of wildlife crime. The goal of this important work is to ultimately reduce incidences of commercial wildlife trafficking and promote wildlife conservation in Uganda.

Empowers Africa has partnered with NRCN in order to provide a cost-effective solution to fundraising in the United States by acting as their fiscal sponsor. As an established 501(c)(3), we are able to accept donations from U.S. donors and grant funds directly to their projects.

Kim Charlton

After a recent trip to Africa, Kim was inspired to increase her philanthropic efforts on behalf of wildlife and joined the Board of Empowers Africa. Her passion for animals is evident in her involvement with the SPCA of Westchester County, a no-kill animal shelter where she created the “Critter Credit”, a financial incentive to help people adopt pets with disadvantages. She and her husband are the honorees of the SPCA’s 2017 gala. 

Julie Thompson

Julie attended Wittenberg University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. When Julie retired from the pharmaceutical industry, she began taking advantage of more opportunities to travel. Having amassed over 300 nights in the bush, Julie made the seemingly natural decision to launch Eyes On You Safaris in 2015 to help others experience the awe of a customized African safari.  While in between careers, she also volunteered and participated in fundraising events for the Georgia chapter of the March of Dimes.