One week to go!!

Wow! After weeks of preparation and hard work, the team is now one week away from departure. We have spent the summer meeting weekly, sharing meals and laughter, planning our itinerary and putting together some exciting new ideas. We are now in the final stages, assembling our packing lists and brushing up on some Vietnamese phrases. Personally, this will be my first trip to Asia and I have never been more excited! I am thrilled to not only be part of an amazing and cohesive team, working on an inspiring project, but also to be travelling to a beautiful and interesting part of the world. 

One of the new ideas we have for the project is the creation of an environmental youth group in the Sapa region. This idea fits in well with the project's aims to reduce impacts in an environmentally  sensitive area and builds on the rich human capital found in the villages. Together with Sapa O'Chau, we will be facilitating meetings for passionate young people to learn more about how to maintain the natural environment in the region, particularly as this is one of the most noted features for many visitors. Sapa O'Chau aims to create a positive space for local H'mong to gain English language skills, particularly so that they can participate in the growing tourism industry as trekking and tour guides. Successful environmental stewardship is a long (and often winding) road but we know that we will be working with enough dedicated individuals to bring about some powerful change in the region. 

We look forward to sharing more about our adventure and we hope you'll check back regularly over the next few weeks. The team will be posting photos and updates to our blog and social media channels, so stay tuned and be sure to share with your friends!

Meet Jordan Kallman. Past CBT Vietnam Volunteer

Meet Jordan Kallman! He is a past CapU Volunteer with the CBT Vietnam Project when it was funded by CIDA; a 'Next Gen' tourism professional; Capilano University Alumni; a "creator, life-long explorer, and experiential entrepreneur";  and, all around great guy to be around. We (barely) caught up to Jordan and had the opportunity to ask him a few questions. Here's what he had to say:

Can you tell us a little about what you did on the CIDA funded project with Capilano?

I was involved in year 2 (2004) of the project at a time where training in the villages was just beginning. I took part in the first train-the-trainer experiences, first village training experiences in areas such as English communication, food safety, cultural protection, waste and collection and product development.

As with any new venture, relationships were just beginning to form as well. From the many different levels of government, local and regional NGOs, with Hanoi Open University and in the villages themselves – it was all new.

Very exciting times.

How did - what you did on the projects - inspire you?

The project was inspiring for many reasons. It was the first time I had ever worked on an international development project, first time I had found myself in a rural, very economically disadvantaged part of the developing world and first time I had ever officially taught on a topic with learners staring me in the face. All three were incredibly intoxicating.

To this day I still wear an anklet sewn and gifted to me by a young girl in Ta Phin. I am shocked it has survived eight years around my leg, but I look at it everyday as a reminder of how lucky I am to be who I am, living in one of the most advantageous, democratic places on the globe. And everyday, I take that inspiration and put it to use creating value.

If only that young villager knew the power of the gift she gave me.

Can you tell us about the last time you may have included the CapU CIDA project in conversation with a colleague?

I talk about this project all the time. Most recently I have been involved with the Vancouver Chapter of Acumen Fund. We meet once a month, gathering in the time-honoured tradition of a “discussion salon” to talk and debate over great food the many facets, both positive and negative, of international development.

What would you say to other students that would consider going on these projects?

"Run. Jump. Throw yourself off a mountain 

if it means you get to take part in a project like this. 

It will change your life. Guaranteed!"

As a past volunteer, turned tourism professional what would you say to potential funders who are thinking about funding such a project (i.e. involving students to volunteer as changemakers) -- or if you rather, Cap U who might be thinking about enhancing its international development programs?

International development projects are not without their perils. There are incredible pitfalls, most of which I will avoid in detail here. But generally speaking, as long as the project shares value along the stakeholder spectrum, deeply involves local communities and decision-makers as leaders, spawns community-directed independence, is genuine and accountable, the project is likely worth a deeper look in regards to funding.

Utilizing student talent in a project, engaging young passion and championing emerging changemakers – now that is amazing stuff. If a student can finish their education with a greater awareness of what it will take to create positive change from their future actions, that institution has done its job. In a world where education takes on many forms, the traditional university needs to take a more active role in developing innovation, creativity and social progress – core drivers of a changemaker.

As a person working in tourism / development where does tourism fit into making the world a better place?

I don’t necessarily classify myself as a tourism professional, more an experiential entrepreneur constantly in search of opportunities to create shared value. But having worked in the industry and extensively travelled, I

do have a deep love for tourism.

At its simplest, tourism brings people together. And it is the interactive aspect that has always excited me so much. But from a big picture I suppose it is the hope, from greater cultural interactions comes greater understanding, empathy and togetherness. Unfortunately, I don’t think this  is always the case.

The tourism industry has a lot of work to do in innovating shared value amongst the communities, social structures, environments and cultures it operates within. And it needs to be done without the consumer sacrificing much of what they have come to expect, but rather continuously adding value to the proposition. 

What the industry needs is brilliant social entrepreneurs who are willing to turn the industry on its head.

Most profound learning experience you gained from the communities?

Be ready to ditch your well thought through, meticulously organized, “bullet-proof” plan for something that works in the moment.

What's next for Jordan Kallman?

I live in the next! I have two very cool entrepreneurial ventures on the go that I am incredibly excited about. I live for that adventure right now.

Last words?

“Columbus wasn't looking for America, my man, but that seemed to work out perfectly, didn't it?” – Vince Vaughn, Old School

To get in touch with Jordan you can follow him on twitter @JordanKallman.

One Year Later

When I was 20 years old, I left Canada for the South Pacific on my own, with nothing but a backpack.  After a year and a half of travels including New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Australia, I had a lot more with me than just my backpack. I had a wealth of experiences — Moments that have left a long lasting and ephemeral impact on my  entire being.  It left me with a sense of conviction, that whatever I did in my life, it was going to be related to tourism industry. This propelled me  into my enrolling into the Destination Resort Management Co-op Diploma with Capilano University.   During my time in the program, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunities to work as a Data Entry Clerk for Penticton Economic Development, a BC Ambassador in San Francisco and a Tourism Marketing Assistant for Tourism Penticton.  

My most amazing experience to date, however, is working in Ta Phin, Vietnam with Capilano University and Hanoi Open University  (HOU).  This Community Based Tourism project supported by PATA, with training in areas such understanding the tourist, business development, selling skills, event planning and more, is focused and determined on making a better quality of life for the local people of this area. Living off the land and what little resources they have, these men and women literally reap what they sow. They are famous for their embroidered items such as scarfs, handbags, headbands and just about anything else under the sun. These items are intricate, in that they tell a story and sometimes take months to make. 

I still find myself reflecting on the time in the village with a sort of nostalgia, a force that brings me back there in memory. I wonder how people who have such little, are so happy. After being in Ta Phin, I decided that I was past materialism, thinking this was the key to true happiness. If social classes don’ t exist, then is there no one to compare ourselves to. I don’t know what the answer is but what I do know is there are plenty of places in the world that need our help regardless. Often enough these places have the industry to capitalize on, they just need the resources necessary to develop their skills.  Eighty percent of the world is living in poverty and they say action isn’t taken because the images they see are merely projections that don't resonate with the audience. I challenge these people, to go to Ta Phin.

This month marks a year since I have been in the village and all I can say at this point is that  I want and need to go back. The project continues to move forward with the support of many people just like myself — students who want to make a difference.  Between a blog, twitter and facebook page, our social media channels are definitely gaining momentum.  We also have a video —I strongly encourage you to see it if you haven’t so yet. It can be found here.  Its been 5 years now since I first embarked on that trip to the South Pacific — As fond as I look back on it, I can say with confidence that Ta Phin, Vietnam was a cut above.