A First-Place Win for G Adventures’ Nepalese Partners: ‘Sisterhood of Survivors’

UN World Tourism Organization Honors Women’s Group with Top Award for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism

G Adventures is proud to celebrate the first place honors that were earned last week by one of its partner community development programs in Nepal; a program that it helped create. The Sisterhood of Survivors project from Kathmandu took first place in the nongovernmental category at the 12^th annual UN World Tourism Organization Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism; one of four top winners selected from among more than 100 candidates across 30 countries.

The Sisterhood of Survivors lunch programprovides training to trafficking survivors and vulnerable girls with training in the hospitality industry through conversational English, customer service, accounting, and food and beverage management. Together with G Adventures and Planeterra, Sisterhood of Survivors programs are helping these women gain independence and rebuild their self esteem.

Launched in 2014 by Nepalese nonprofit organization Samrakshak Samuha Nepal (SASANE), which means "Let's Protect Ourselves" in Nepali, the Sisterhood of Survivors was made possible by a founding grant from G Adventures and its nonprofit Planeterra Foundation through “The G Project”, a global competition to inspire positive change.

In 2013, G Adventures conceived of “The G Project” as a way to help aspiring change-makers take their idea from concept to action and impact by submitting ideas that could help solve social and environmental issues at a local level. More than 350 ideas from 90 countries were entered into the competition, which resulted in the Sisterhood of Survivors receivinga winning US$25,000 development grant from G Adventures to bring the project to life.

SASANE’s Managing Director and Founder, ShyamPokharel said of the win, “We are so happy that we were able to receive this award, which would not have been possible without the help and support of our friends at Planeterra and G Adventures. Their encouragement, training and steady stream of travelers have done so much to encourage others to learn about our organization, and visit Nepal.”

“This award is the first not only for our organization, but for Nepal itself. It brings great honor to our community and a huge responsibility to further increase our impact.”

The Sisterhood of Survivors welcomes visitors on select G Adventures tours into Kathmandu Nepal, including those traveling on National Geographic Journeys, through an authentic lunch program and traditional momo (dumpling) making course. Women who have survived the trauma of physical or sexual exploitation and human trafficking, and who are committed to rebuilding their lives, host this unique cultural experience.

Planeterra Program Manager Adrienne Lee has been closely involved in supporting the Sisterhood of Survivors project since its creation and integration into G Adventures’ tour itineraries.

“It is incredibly rewarding to see SASANE and the Sisterhood of Survivors come so far in just two short years. From a tiny one-room office above a store to a globally renowned social enterprise that’s supported by our travelers today, we’ve demonstrated how we can help bring underserved communities into the tourism supply chain through ethical business practices that prioritize doing well and doing good.”

>> WATCH VIDEO ABOUT THE SISTERHOOD OF SURVIVORS

The UNWTO Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism are the flagship awards for the global tourism sector, recognizing knowledge creation, dissemination and innovative solutions. The annual Awards Ceremony takes place at the International Tourism Trade Fair in Madrid, Spain.

“The UNWTO Awards aim to honor those that everyday work for the benefit of host communities, supporting the livelihoods of local people and protecting our environment and our culture for future generations.” said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai, during a celebration in Madrid, Spain on January 20.

The prestigious win comes as G Adventures and Planeterra ramp up their ’50 in 5’ initiative, a five-year plan to integrate 50 new social enterprise projects into G Adventures trips and make them self-sustaining. Their goal is allow nearly all of G Adventures travelers to visit one or more social enterprise projects in more than 35 countries by 2020, changing the lives of local people in communities by providing them with access to the economic benefits of tourism.