Community projects
We have initiated and/or support sustainable community and environment projects around the world, focusing on projects with links to the tourism industry.
Our long-term objective is to provide aid (financial and physical) to projects that will ultimately become self-sustaining - for example, where we provide seed funding and training for a start-up business, and then become a 'customer' rather than a 'benefactor'.
KOTO, Vietnam
KOTO (Know One, Teach One), is a training centre and restaurant set up to help disadvantaged kids in Hanoi to get off the streets and into a stable living and working environment. Each year an integral part of the training is a field trip in Vietnam.
Every July/August, students participate in an annual field trip.
"The aim is not only to build teamwork but also to ensure the young people at KOTO get the chance to see more of their own incredible country. We want to teach a responsible attitude to the environment and give the trainees an opportunity to learn and grow through the experience. We also want to reward their hard work," explains founder, Jimmy Pham.
Gecko's continues to support KOTO and is currently fundraising through the Gecko's Community Trust to sponsor part of, or the complete, field trip each year, at a cost of between US$5000 and US$7000. In addition, KOTO greets every Gecko's group that comes to Hanoi with their fantastic menu and friendly service.
KOTO continues to grow and develop as many more street kids and disadvantaged youths pass through its doors and go on to successful jobs in the hospitality and tourism industries.
East African Mission Orphanage
In Africa Gecko's Adventures has chosen the East Africa Mission Orphanage (EAMO), located near Nakuru in Kenya, as the first beneficiary of the Trust. The goal of the orphanage is to treat the resident children as if they were our own. The orphanage provides education, security, and a well-balanced and nourishing diet to ensure that each child has every opportunity that a normal child living in a normal neighbourhood would receive. The orphanage currently provides full care for 109 orphans, although this number continues to grow.
A number of our Gecko's trips visits the orphanage and our groups camp in the grounds.
The camping fees we pay go to the EAMO organization to assist the running of the orphanage.
In addition, the Gecko's Community Trust is raising funds for the construction of a purpose-built new nursery to house the babies and care givers of these precious little ones. So far the Gecko's Community Trust has contributed USD5,486. The aim is to raise another USD4,100 through on-line donations from our travellers, which is needed to complete the project.
Chitwan Electric Fence Project, Nepal.
There are about 22 villages around the Chitwan National Park in southern Nepal that are dependent on farming. However, wild elephants and rhinos from the park frequently enter the villages at night, trampling crops and breaking down mud brick homes in search of food.
Twenty people die annually as a result and some 200 houses are destroyed each year. Gecko's assisted in setting up 24 km of electric fence, which has apparently completely solved the problem. The elephants and rhinos won't venture closer than 10 meters from the fence, as they sense the electric current.
The Chitwan community villages need another 30 or so energisers, (the devices that 'electrify' the fences) which each cost AUD611.50. The Gecko's Community Trust is seeking donations from travellers to purchase individual energisers. If you donate the full AU$611.50 we'll 'put your name on it'. Alternatively, you can contribute a smaller amount, which goes into a collective 'pot'. When we have raised enough funds for 10 energizers, we will purchase these in Australia and deliver them to the Chitwan community in Nepal. Gecko's Adventures will cover any transport and delivery charges.
The Gecko's Community Trust supports the Galapagos Conservancy, formerly known as the Charles Darwin Foundation.
The Galapagos Conservancy is dedicated to raising funds and
awareness for Galapagos conservation. It is a membership-based
organisation and the largest source of private support for conservation
efforts. The 11,000 Friends of Galapagos are individuals and
institutions who care deeply about the Galapagos Islands, and
understand the scientific importance of preserving this one-of-a-kind
ecosystem.
Department of Tourism and Hotel Management (DTH), Laos
The DTH was established in 2005 under the Faculty of Social Sciences at the National University of Laos. In line with the Laos government's committment to developing the nation’s tourism industry, DTH has developed two undergraduate programs - one in Tourism Management the other in Hotel Management. There are currently more than 700 students but adequate staff development is severely limited by lack of funding. Few staff members have any formal qualifications or work experience in tourism and hospitality. The problem is further compounded by high teaching loads, low pay and poor access to appropriate materials. The facilities also fall well below the training and space requirements.
Peregrine has established the Teacher Sponsorship Fund as a beneficiary of the Community Trust to provide monetary support for their academic development which will cover tuition, as well as living and transport expenses for teachers to attend tourism and hospitality training.
Peru's Challenge
Pumamarca is an agricultural community located in the mountain region above Cuzco. The community survives on their agricultural products, and families struggle to make ends meet on the income farming brings in.
The benefit of non-agricultural activities is that they provide more stable income. Peru’s Challenge helps approximately 200 families through the creation of Talleres, in which mothers work on crafts such as weaving, knitting and jewellery making, however they are finding it increasing hard to fit in the one school classroom available to them.
Through the Community Trust, Peregrine is fundraising for a workshop to be built so that the group can work uninterrupted and without disrupting the school children.
Trust management
The Gecko's Community Trust was developed by Gecko's with the assistance of Charities Aid Foundation Australia CAF Australia is an international not-for-profit organisation that partners companies such as Gecko's to ensure the smooth development, operation and flow of funds to community projects.
CAF Australia provides guidance to the Gecko's Trust Committee (which consists of Gecko's staff and associates) in choosing and approving Trust fund grants. All administration costs are funded by Gecko's Adventures, which means that 100% of public donations will go directly to the nominated community project or organisation.
How can I contribute
How Can I Contribute
You can contribute to the Gecko's Community Trust by using our online donation gateway.
On-line auctions
Our on-going, on-line auctions are one way we generate funds for Gecko's Community Trust projects. The auction items are donated by Gecko's's corporate partners, ground operators, adventurers, travellers and by Gecko's itself.
Check out the range of items on offer - you'll find great value trips, adventure gear and special items you won't find elsewhere.
All proceeds from the auctions will go directly to nominated community projects or selected charity organisations.
Privacy
Your information will be used by Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) only for the purpose of processing and receipting. CAF will not pass on your details to any other third party, other than your nominated charity and Gecko's Adventures (you may request this not be done when donating). CAF Community Fund trustees have sole discretion on granting donations as required by Australian Tax Law.
A more comprehensive explanation of CAF's privacy policy is located at www.cafaustralia.org.au or by contacting the CAF Information Control Officer.
For further information:
From within Australia, please phone the CAF Australia help line on 1300 653 567
From outside Australia, phone: +61 2 9929 9633
Or email: info@cafaustralia.org
FAQs
1. Why has Gecko's established the Gecko's Community Trust?
Throughout our 30 years of operating adventure holidays around the world, Gecko's has supported a range of charitable organisations, associations and community projects, mostly on an ad hoc basis. We set up the Gecko's community Trust as an independent entity to enable better accountability and transparency and to establish a vehicle for channelling funds from more diverse sources (such as client contributions) into community projects.
2. Is the Gecko's Community Trust owned and managed by Gecko's?
While Gecko's established and contributes funds to the Trust, the Trust
 is managed by Charities Aid Foundation Australia.
3. Does all the money donated go directly to the projects?
Yes. Gecko's covers all the administration costs involved in collecting and distributing the money. The money you donate will go to the project of your choice, or to the general trust fund if you so choose.
4. Where is the money held - and is it safe?
The money is held in a bank account managed by Charities Aid Foundation. CAF is an international not-for-profit organisation and corporate partner in community involvement, that advises and facilitates companies such as Gecko's in matching and distributing funds to suitable recipients.
Operating in Australia since March 2000, this international organisation began in the United Kingdom in 1923 and now provides international donor management services in the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand, India, Russia, South Africa, Brazil, Bulgaria and beyond.
Worldwide, Charities Aid Foundation has over $AU4 billion under management; operates two banks in the United Kingdom, and distributes more than $AU400 million every year to not-for-profit organisations. For further information, visit www.cafaustralia.org.au
5. Is my donation tax deductible?
In addition to the Gecko's Community Trust, Gecko's Adventures, has established a Donor Advised Foundation Account with the CAF Community Fund named "Gecko's Partners Fund". If you are an Australian resident for tax purposes, donations to the CAF Community Fund (Gecko's Partners Fund) are tax deductible. The CAF Community Fund will grant donations, taking into account requests from the Gecko's Trust Committee, to Gecko's partners (Plan, Childwise or WWF) and develop an Endowment to provide on-going grants from the interest and endowment growth.
Most of the projects listed under the Gecko's Community Trust as overseas community projects are not eligible for tax deductibility.