Intrepid tote baggage. Handy for carrying stuff. Help us keep away from single-use plastics. Make good mementos of nice adventures.
But we’re proud to say there’s a bit extra to it than that. We are a B Corp in spite of everything – which implies we squeeze each drop of goodness we will into our enterprise and consciously select to work with suppliers who create a optimistic social influence.
When it involves tote baggage, which means rigorously handpicking native producers to make sure that wherever attainable, your on-trip present immediately helps small social enterprises inside your vacation spot. We supply free totes to travellers on most of our journeys, wherever it’s sensible to take action – however should you’ve come ready or would relatively borrow one and hand it again to your chief in good situation on the finish of your journey, that works for us too.
So how a lot good can a bag actually do? Turns out, quite a bit. Here are among the methods Intrepid totes are empowering communities, difficult dangerous stereotypes, preserving cultural heritage and altering the lives of individuals everywhere in the world.
Keeping households collectively in Thailand
When textile employee Mrs Isada left her manufacturing facility job to go freelance, she merely hoped to realize extra freedom. She enjoys working from the consolation of her house neighbourhood, On Tai, on the outskirts of Chiang Mai. Little did she know her enterprise would finally blossom right into a group enterprise supporting nearly 30 artisans.
The stitching work her organisation brings in allows extra native girls to stay at house with their households, relatively than having to go away for larger cities to search out employment. COVID-19 hit the group exhausting – however because of orders from the likes of Intrepid, they’re beginning to bounce again. Our travellers in Thailand every obtain a novel tote that includes conventional Thai fish designs made by Mrs Isada and her colleagues.
Creating group and alternative for refugees in Greece
We work with humanitarian organisation Naomi to supply our totes baggage In Greece. As effectively as offering emergency assist to refugees and asylum seekers, the organisation additionally gives language classes and programs in stitching and tailoring, equipping them with tangible, transferable expertise.
Rosemary Onwugharam got here to Greece from Nigeria as an asylum seeker in 2006. She discovered to stitch on the Naomi workshop in Thessaloniki in 2016, and has stayed in contact ever since. She gained a part-time contract on their textile manufacturing line in November 2022, and went full time in January 2023.
“At Naomi I can work in a safe, friendly and fair work environment. I earn money for my family and can cover my needs and be independent. It’s great being part of a team with a strong sense of belonging.”
On our Mainland Greece Discovery journey, travellers even swing by the workshop to fulfill Rosemary and her colleagues and be taught extra about Naomi’s work.
“It’s a good feeling to meet people from all over the world,” says Rosemary. “I’m very proud that the tote bags we make are travelling all over the world, spreading a message of solidarity and respect for human rights.”
Providing a secure house for trans girls in Peru
Since 2019, Casa Trans – a undertaking created by and for trans girls – has been offering a secure house for the trans group in Lima, Peru, providing sexual well being recommendation, HIV exams and counselling. In a rustic the place life expectancy for trans girls is simply 35, help methods like these are essential.
Gaining secure paid work is one other vital problem going through trans individuals in Peru. According to a latest IPSOS Peru survey, solely 3% of Peruvian trans girls are in a position to entry formal employment.
Enter FUERZA by Casa Trans – a textile startup launched throughout the pandemic that initially produced protecting clothes and face masks. These days, orders from the likes of Intrepid assist Casa Trans to offer coaching and employment to the group and a significant stepping stone in the direction of a brighter future.
Breaking down limitations for girls in Kenya
If you need one thing finished proper, do it your self. That appears to be the way in which at Kisisyo Women’s Group in Kenya. This collective of 12 girls shaped the self-help group in 1995 in an effort to enhance their dwelling requirements and discover mutual help. For Lucy Gichu, a 55-year-old founding member from the Majengo slums in Nairobi, their mission is straightforward: “We formed the group to empower our women.”
“Ever since we partnered with Intrepid, our members have been economically uplifted. Thanks to the orders from Intrepid, members of Kisisyo Women’s Group are not falling victim to drugs, alcoholism, sex work and other negative impacts that come with living in slums. We have been economically empowered, as we can afford daily simple meals and to take our children to school”.
Maximising the potential of younger adults in India
In Hindi, ‘Jugaad’ roughly interprets as ‘making the most out of the little you have’. And that’s precisely what occurs at Jugaad, the sister undertaking of kids’s refuge Karm Marg, situated close to New Delhi, India.
Here, younger adults (largely Karm Marg alumni) and girls with restricted employment alternatives from surrounding rural areas be taught to create baggage, wallets, stationery and different handicrafts. They typically use donated waste supplies comparable to newspapers and second-hand textiles to up the eco-credentials of their merchandise. This vocational coaching helps to empower individuals in Indian society who are sometimes ignored, whereas supporting Karm Marg’s vital work.
Supporting ethnic minorities and other people with disabilities in Vietnam
Organic cotton, hemp and pure dyes – up to now, so fashionable eco-warrior. But the usage of these textiles and strategies is not at all new and stylish. In the mountainous areas of northern Vietnam, ethnic minority communities have been utilizing these supplies to create conventional costumes and handicrafts for generations. Now, with the help of Indigo in Hanoi – a workshop aiming to protect Vietnam’s ethnic minorities’ cultural heritage – they’re transferring these expertise to our travellers’ totes.
This yr, we’ll even be working with new Intrepid Foundation associate Vun Art. They work to eradicate social stigma and discrimination towards individuals with disabilities by offering them with coaching and employment at their textile workshop.
Empowering the indigenous Otavalo group in Ecuador
Ecuador’s indigenous Otavalo persons are identified for his or her intricate embroidery and textiles. The finest place to see their wares is the colorful Otavalo market – which occurs to characteristic on the itinerary of our Ecuador Highlands journey.
We work immediately with the Picuasi household from Otavalo to supply tote baggage for Intrepid travellers within the area, in addition to our leaders’ vibrant t-shirts and baggage. Through their enterprise they supply employment to not less than 10 native indigenous households.
Improving the lives of girls from townships in South Africa
In South Africa we supply our fairtrade tote baggage from Township, an umbrella organisation representing seven impartial women-owned cooperatives primarily based in Cape Town.
They’ve been working since 1997, offering sustainable financial alternatives to girls dwelling in South Africa’s township communities. Today over 60 girls produce lovely handmade clothes and baggage constituted of 100% pure cotton, jute and recycled PET cloth.
Want to journey with Intrepid and get your palms on a tote bag that adjustments the world? Check out our small group adventures.