The Amal Restaurant is a project of the Amal Women’s Training Center in Marrakech, Morocco. It was established to empower disadvantaged women through the culinary arts. The program brings together widows, divorced or single mothers, orphans, and women with little or no education, and enables them to develop essential job and life skills so […]
Africa
3 Reasons to Use a Private Guide
We’ve all been on those 40 passenger buses full of tourists (and their selfie sticks or ipads used as cameras). And don’t forget the tour guides with the microphones and flags who spew out all those facts and monotonous spiels you’ll never remember…. So before you jump on the tour bus, here are some reasons […]
Back from Marrakech
Morocco’s “red city,” Marrakech, was as exotic as it sounds. There was no better place to spend time with family and friends celebrating a milestone. From staying in a Riad, to experiencing the famous souk markets, tradtional folklore song and dance, tantalizing cuisine, soothing hammam spa treatments, and much more, it couldn’t have been more […]
Back from Egypt
Wow! We just got back from an incredible 16-day trip to Paris, Marrakech, and Egypt. Every time I travel, I’m even more grateful for the opportunity – not only to see the amazing sites, but to experienece the culture, meet the locals, and open our hearts and minds to better understand global humanity. Today, I’d […]
Our family is growing
Yes, we are adding a member to our family this holiday season and we are really excited about it. And, NO, we are not expecting a baby. But we have sponsored a child in Kenya, Africa through AmericaShare.org and we can’t wait to meet him or her. Tis the season to share gifts with each […]
Family Philanthropy that Doesn’t Compromise Luxury
I often talk to people who wonder how you can combine a traditional family vacation with volunteering. In many cases, the perception is that volunteering abroad can only be done if you have weeks or months to dedicate to a cause or project, and that you have to stay in very basic accommodations. Although this can be […]
How Volunteer Work Abroad Gave Me the Experience of a Lifetime
Do you ever think about how much we often take for granted? Warm running water, a roof over our heads, food, new clothing, access to medical care, our physical abilities? I know I often overlook these things. I had a reality check when I decided to volunteer in Ghana, Africa, with the NGO Unite for […]
Hand Made Soccer Ball
This is a picture of a typical soccer ball used by kids in Rwanda who don’t have the means or resources for a real soccer ball. They are eager to play and very resourceful!!
Go for the Gold
Message from my Heart My daughter participated in a recent swim meet at SOCAL Aquatics and it was amazing to see how inspired all the swimmers were to meet and receive an autograph from 7x Olympic medalist Jason Lezak and Olympic swimmer Christine Jennings who spent the afternoon at the meet encouraging the swimmers to […]