Giving Tuesday: How to Help Children Around The World
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Traveling to far-off lands and exotic countries is incredible, but seeing an impoverished child selling souvenirs or begging for money can really tug on you heartstrings. Here, TPG International Contributor Lori Zaino offers some charity organizations and ways to help make a difference in kids' lives around the world. (All photos are by author unless otherwise specified).
Research Charity Options Ahead Of Time
At TPG, we believe supporting organizations that keep families together (or help children through vocational programs and education) is a positive alternative to orphanage tourism or giving change to begging children. Start by checking out this list of ChildSafe Traveler Tips that can be applied to any emerging country. The ChildSafe campaign is dedicated to protecting and supporting children and their families, and they've offered a great list with more charities if you are looking for more ways to help during your travels. (Please note: Any charity mentioned here that is US-based has four stars on Charity Navigator).
Don't Encourage Begging Street Children
A small child approaches you in India begging for money. While it's painful to turn him or her away, buying goods from children or giving them money, no matter how sad or sympathetic you feel, isn't truly helping and just encourages them to beg and work the streets in lieu of attending school. Parents sometimes see the increased monetary results of begging and therefore keep their kids out of school, so don't buy goods from youth on the street — you could be keeping them from getting an education.
Avoid Visiting The Local Orphanage
While it seems like playing with orphaned children for a day would be helpful and positive, it's actually detrimental to their well-being. According to UNICEF, 75% of children in orphanages in Cambodia, for example, are not actually orphans and usually have at least one living parent or have been trafficked there. Friends International says visiting orphanages can have a negative impact — a volunteer may leave the orphanage thinking they've just made a positive contribution, but in reality they may have just accidentally created attachment issues for the child. Orphanages can also be breeding grounds for physical or sexual abuse.
Eat At Restaurants That Give Back To The Community
Calling all foodies: Eating at TreeHouse Alliance restaurants will delight your palate while helping out a wonderful cause. With locations in several countries around Southeast Asia, the restaurant group is dedicated to training underprivileged teens to be chefs and waiters and donating money to families in need. Besides helping youth, these restaurants offer creative takes on authentic local dishes using fresh ingredients. Purchases made in the restaurant's gift shop also contribute to the cause.
Build Homes in Brazil
Happy Child International rescues and rehabilitates street children and at-risk teens and reintegrates them back into their families and communities. Volunteer in Brazil by helping to renovate family homes.
Help Teens Practice Their English
In Laos, Big Brother Mouse has two locations where you can donate books and even sponsor book parties. It's also easy to volunteer there. Visit in the morning or afternoon for English conversation class, where you can chat with local teens and help them practice their English. I was lucky enough to volunteer at the Luang Prabang location and loved speaking with eager adolescents about their families, jobs and hopes for the future. Not only did it help them practice English, it was a wonderful way for me to learn about the Laotian way of life. TPG Contributor Eric Rosen has also volunteered here and had the opportunity to chat with a group of young monks on his trip.
Be A Mentor in Ecuador
The Center For Working Families is an organization dedicated to helping children and their families get an education, learn skills and become literate. Their locations in Ecuador offer all sorts of volunteer opportunities like mentoring or speaking with teenagers and children.
Pack Items You Want To Donate
One easy way to help when traveling is to bring school or medical supplies along with you to your destination and donate them through Pack For A Purpose. Simply buying items like pencils before you travel — they only take up a small portion of your suitcase! — can make a big difference in an emerging country trying to educate its youth. Search the Pack For A Purpose website by destination or initiative and see what is needed. There are drop-off points all over the world so for example, you can drop off general school or art supplies at the Ritz-Carlton, Cancun in Mexico to support the Colonia Chiapaneca school or used clothing at Rough Guides in Morocco to support the children of nomads.
Stop By Your Favorite Charities While You're In The Neighborhood
Room to Read helps by building schools and educating children in places like Asia and Africa. Arrange to visit one of the completed projects so you can see firsthand what the charity has accomplished and receive information about what you can do to help once you're back home — organizing book swaps, creating fundraisers or becoming an ambassador are all ways you can contribute pre- or post-trip.
Keep Helping Once You Get Home
TPG is a huge supporter of PeaceJam, a wonderful organization that uses the resources and wisdom of 13 Nobel Laureates — from Archbishop Desmond Tutu to the Dalai Lama — and inspires today’s youth to become leaders and create positive change on a global level. Get involved by joining the One Billion Acts of Peace movement, where you can create and share acts of peace on social media. Check out Episode 2 of TPGtv to learn more about TPG's involvement with PeaceJam.
Passports with Purpose is a community created by travel bloggers who wanted to give back to the countries they traveled to. The organization has helped to build schools, libraries and even create adult literacy programs in Africa and Central America. Currently, Passports with Purpose is raising money to send digital readers to five libraries in Kenya. Help spread the world by writing blog posts about the organization or sharing their story on social media.
We often worry about children in third-world countries, but there are many children and families in need right here in the US. If you'd prefer to focus your efforts on something a little closer to home, the Center For Children and Families in Oklahoma is a great place to start. The organization provides counseling, teen parenting services and a baby pantry for parents who have limited resources as well as programs to help empower youth. You can donate funds and if you live nearby, volunteer or host a diaper drive. Prevent Child Abuse America is another charity with locations all over the US. You can participate in your region by donating, offering advocacy or organizing and hosting Child Abuse Prevention Month activities.
Earning Points and Miles As You Help Others
When booking visits to countries where you're participating in these volunteer efforts, keep in mind that credit cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and Citi Prestige don’t charge foreign transaction fees — see this post for other fee-free card options. Book trips with the Citi Premier® Card while you’re still stateside to earn 3x points per dollar on this travel-category spend.
To make the most of your charitable donations for children, families and other worthy causes, consider putting your transactions on the U.S. Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa Signature Card, which always offers triple points on charitable donations, assuming the organization is properly categorized.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.