Eyes Wide Open is in its third year of operation as one of District 9800’s impressive suite of international programs.  Eyes Wide Open participants travel to Rotary projects as well as the must-see tourist destinations in places like Nepal and Cambodia. Travelers can, if they wish, donate their time at the projects. The aim of all trips is to enjoy a safe, comfortable holiday and experience authentic local culture with local people, and to leave something behind – whether it be new skills or donated equipment.

Participants on an Eyes Wide Open trip may find themselves doing anything from teaching dental hygiene in an orphanage, distributing Rotary wheelchairs to polio or landmine victims, donating Braille books to a blind school, preparing English lessons or helping underprivileged women develop new vocational skills.  Each volunteer experience is based on the specified needs of local people and suited to the skills of the participants.

“As we have seen from our previous trips, our groups have made a positive impact on people living below the poverty line. We have been back to some Rotary projects three times now, and each time, we are able to make a useful contribution.” said Lena Condos.

Participants will also enjoy tourist attractions, local culture, 3-4 star hotels, and the local cuisine. Imagine riding on a jungle raft,  travelling on bamboo trains, riding elephants and boating down rivers.  Ancient temples and traditional dance performances are just a small part of the tourism experience.

After participating in the 2010 Cambodia-Vietnam trip, Melbourne South RC Past President Bronwyn Stephens comments “When considering booking an Eyes Wide Open trip, I wondered, ‘why would a nearly 50-year-old woman who has already been to Bali, Fiji. Thailand etc choose a holiday in Cambodia & Vietnam?’ The tour promised an interesting blend of tourism and volunteering that I had not encountered before. It also offered a safe and structured way of travelling. The main draw card though was the privilege of sharing an experience of humanitarian travel with my 26-year-old daughter, Jane. Life in Australia is embarrassingly affluent compared to our neighbouring countries. To see our neighbours’ lives with Jane, and observe her volunteering and experiencing this reality was the overwhelming incentive for participating on the trip,” said Bronwyn.

“Reflecting on the tour, the original intent of the trip was certainly realised. It was a constant joy and privilege observing Jane at the projects - with children, teaching and also in friendships made ‘on the bus’. We experienced a variety of Rotary and non-Rotary projects, and without fail the Rotary projects were most impressive. On a number of levels this tour was unforgettable and unique, and what a world to experience through a daughter’s eyes.”

Bronwyn will lead the Eyes Wide Open 2012 tour to Cambodia (6-20 January) and suggests that Rotarians take a friend, partner, grandchild or work associate.  They will see first-hand the life changing work Rotary undertakes, they will visit magnificent tourist highlights, and experience local culture, cuisine and people. Early bird special bookings close on 31^st August