Award-Winning Travel Company Exceeds Expectations in 1st Year of Business -- Pioneering New Ways to Affect Positive Change in Developing Countries

Award-Winning Travel Company Exceeds all Expectations in its First Year of Business, as it Pioneers New Ways to Affect Positive Change in Developing Countries "Relief Riders International is a humanitarian- based adventure travel company. We offer horseback journeys through developing countries, bringing important relief supplies to communities in need." Relief Riders International (RRI) has exceeded all expectations, and in one short year has become a pioneer and leader in the VolunTourism field.

Winner of Outside Magazine's 2005 Best Trips Award, RRI combines horse- back riding through the magical landscapes of northwestern India with a life-changing humanitarian mission. Its February 2005 Rajasthan ride was, according to rider Edward Goldberg, "the perfect opportunity to step outside of our daily lives to help others."

Outside Magazine recognized RRI for its successful aid component, emphasizing that the "high point" of its Rajasthan, India trip was "seeing villagers receive knowledge - such as AIDS education - plus food and medical supplies that they desperately need."

More and more travelers are discovering new ways to visit and vacation. RRI's comprehensive relief program was recently recognized by David Clemmons, Director of Voluntourism.org, who, in his article "Riding Beyond Good Intentions," wrote:" For those who focus their efforts on direct and charitable aid to destination residents, Relief Riders International is a VolunTourism Model worth copying."

In addition to its two upcoming rides to Rajasthan, RRI is planning a special Tsunami Relief Ride in response to the ongoing need to support those who have suffered the devastating effects of the recent tsunami in Sri Lanka. Building on its success working with relief agencies in Rajasthan, RRI's Tsunami Relief Ride will take a group of 10 riders on a 170 km relief mission through the Tsunami stricken beaches of the Southern province of Sri Lanka. The ride begins in Matara and will end in Yalla. Along the way we will help rebuild 4 schools and set up medical camps in 3 villages. As we provide relief, our journey will take us on a vibrant beach ride, through an amazing natural game reserve. We will also visit Buddhist temples along the way.

Rajasthan Relief Rides are scheduled for October 6th - 21th 2005 and again February 11 - 26 in 2006. Trips begin with an overnight stay at the Imperial Hotel in New Delhi then quickly move to the extraordinary Fort at Dundlod. Once there, riders familiarize themselves with horses and those who prefer to travel by jeep or camel carts all work together to organize the Relief Caravan. RRI has done extensive work with the Indian Red Cross to develop a relief program that beings much- needed medical care and supplies to the people who need them most. Our HIV/AIDS education program seeks to bring critical information to the villages we visit.

During our recent February trip, RRI treated 1160 patients at three medical camps and an additional 400 children in 4 pediatric camps held at local schools. Three of the four schools are seriously under-funded by the government and operate on very limited budgets. We distributed notebooks, pencils, drawing pads, crayons, markers, globes, maps, and sporting equipment.

Another important aspect of our relief work is our goat distribution program. Many families just barely survive, and we give two goats to struggling families. Not everyone has the time or inclination to take a Relief Ride, but RRI invites people who want to fight hunger to participate in a significant way by purchasing a goat for $65. RRI promises to find worthy homes for them. For more information about the RRI goat program: http://www.reliefridersinternational.com/goat.htm

Our adventure ride/ humanitarian mission is woven into a trip that features a backdrop of great natural beauty, visiting ancient villages and old forts. Riding on beautiful Marwari horses, or by jeep, we travel to a land rich in culture and wildlife. Whether it is moonlight dinner and an evening of traditional Rajasthani dance in Kochor or a bonfire & traditional Indian drumming performance in Kaladera, RRI riders come to know a magical land.

Please view a slideshow of our most recent trip at:
http://www.reliefridersinternational.com/slideshow2/index.htm

For more information about this exciting adventure please contact:

Alexander Souri, Executive Director
T: 413.329.5876
Relief Riders International
304 Main Street Suite 3B
Great Barrington, Massachusetts 01230 United States http://www.reliefridersinternational.com
info@reliefridersinternational.com

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The Mongol Rally is Under Way

Here is the latest from Justin Wheeler, on the Mongol rally. Justin is traveling overland from London to Mongolia in a clapped out Citroen 2CV along with 40 others, to raise money for charity. To show your support for visit Justin's Website, where you can make a contribution to either Send a Cow, or Save the Children.

Justin and his team welcome comments and send out a newsletter keeping interested parties updated about their progress. This update just came in from Justin:

So we finally made it.

Been a fun journey from Budapest.

We got down to the Serbian border in good time. We then spent about 3 hours getting out of Hungary into Serbia where they tried to charge us 110 euros to cross the border. Eventually we told them to naff off and did a runner for Romania.

I have to say that I then slept for most of the night whilst Henry drove us down to the Bulgarian border. What little I saw of Romania I really liked. It has to be said that driving an old 2CV makes us lots of friends although I am slightly disappointed that so many people laugh at the poor old girl!

We were told that there would be an hour long wait whilst they changed the personnel. We couldnt really understand why until we had paid the tax and realised we had to take a ferry. Some hours later we crossed into Bulgaria. I was advised to leave 5 euro bakshish in my passport but having spent my last Euros on car repairs I didnt have any leftç Fortunately we made it through that checkpoint and then at the Customs point the guard said: Heres the deal you pay me 12 dollars and we dont search the car. I managed to get him down to my last 10 dollars so all was well.

Bulgaria seemed desperately poor and having spent far too little time in capital cities I was desperate to spend time in Sofia. I was slightly taken aback when getting more Euros I asked the cashier what was nice to see in Sofia and she looked totally nonplussed because there wasnt anything! No web cafes there anywhere either! Asked for the speciality of the region in a restaurant and was especially inspired by the vodka soaked flaming mushroom!

There was severe flooding and we had a rather nasty scare when the car died going through a huge puddle and stopped not to be restarted fort love or money. It turned out that we had flooded the points.
Fortunately another car had the same problem and it turned out the driver was a dab hand at car repairs and soon got us going using the tyre inflater to blow out the excess moisture. Unfortunately he put back the coil incorrectly which caused us minor problems until Istanbul where I realised what had happened and fixed it.

Other than that not much more to report. Am hoping to spend the afternoon sight seeing for the first time on the trip and then will be leaving for Georgia early tomorrow morning. Sadly alone as there was a cock up with the Azerbaijan visa for my co-pilot for the next stage.

Now off for a long overdue shower!!

Feel free to check our blogs for other updates at www.mongoliaorbust.com or to call me on +423 663 014916

Access at sea: What about land excursions?

Access at sea: What about land excursions?

While this is not an article about volunteering, I thought it might be of interest to caregivers who frequent this blog.