You heard about it. You wondered about it. You want to know all about it.
It’s the Travel Blogging Calendar!
Some people love the idea, someone else hates it… which means we are already famous!
But seriously, what I have to say is that what’s done for charity is always a good idea. We are travelers, and even if posing for a calendar is not technically included in a travel blogger’s tasks, it’s a tool for raising awareness on some situations that travelers like us often encounter on their way.
We can write hundreds of posts about how fun it was to drink a beer in Bar X, or how posh was hotel Y, but we can’t deny the humanitarian situations we come across with almost on a daily basis. And this is a great way to help.
There will be 2 calendars: one of “Men of Travel Blogging” and another one of “Women of Travel Blogging“, so you can choose which one you prefer… or buy both! At the moment we are ready with the photos and almost ready to start printing, but you can start ordering your copies already. Now, the big question:
Where will the money go?
Of course you want to know. In a word, charity. Specifically, the two charity organizations that were selected are:
The fundamental objective of Mitrata foundation is to make the Mitrata children’s home mature into a family based, long-term residential care organization. We also believe that children should have the opportunity to fully develop his/her gifts and recognize the potentials which he/she already has. Hence we provide them education and lessons on morals and cultivate a fondness for family values and team work.The aim of Mitrata is to provide a loving family environment for children who have known little or no security in their lives.
VSO is the world’s leading independent international development charity that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries. VSO Bahaginan is the federation member of VSO in Asia and the Pacific.
Well, if you didn’t follow the whole ‘Travel Blogging Calendar story’ here is how these two associations were selected to receive the money raised with sales. On the month of October 2012 there was a process of voting by the users of the websites, and among many others the two charity organizations above were the ones who received more votes.
Luckily, the costs of printing were also waived by the awesome guys at Uprinting! Of course this makes all the difference.
“The selected charities will receive 100% of the proceeds. None of the staff, bloggers or other contributors receive any compensation for their efforts. Everything is done out of the kindness of our hearts”
Genesis
I have no idea how it all started but I just remember I once replied to a thread on FB saying “I’m in!”… and I was in!
Later on I found out the whole idea came from Chris at Aussie on the Road, who stated:
The idea of putting together a Women of Travel Blogging calendar came to me while working on a tongue-in-cheek article about my travel blogging crushes, it got me wondering if it would be possible to pool their combined beauty for a good cause. But, if I was going to ask 12 wonderful women to bare all for charity, it seemed only fair that I let my own hairy chest be seen around the world!
I am very excited about the project, and I am also pretty sure this will be my first and last chance to be featured on a calendar… have you seen my belly? Anyway, the photo turned out great, and I made sure I look thin on it, so no worries. I have to thank the photographer Mohamed el Tamamy and the graphic designer Belal Hassan for the great job!
The final picture will be available on the calendar only, but I want to share some blooper photos with you, just so that you have a hint about the location and style of the photo. I won’t disclose too much information for now though…
***disclaimer: these are NOT the final photos on the calendar!***
I, together with the other participating bloggers, saw all the final photos and I am amazed by the variety of styles, ideas and locations we came up with. We didn’t have any rule, we were just told to submit a photo without any guideline. The result is fenomenal, believe me!
Anyway, the main goal here is not looking hot on a photo – don’t expect all photos to be sexy style! – but to raise money for charity. Our group’s objective is raising $10,000… would you help us achieving it?
I don’t know about your country, but calendars are popular Christmas presents in Italy. So this year, buy the Travel Blogging Calendar 2013 for you, your friends and family, and you will:
- Feel a bit Italian :)
- Be sure your present is useful
- Feel good doing good deeds (remember those New Year’s resolutions? You’re still on time!)
- Spend little money on your Christmas presents (each calendar is $25 only… even the cheapest present you can give doesn’t get much cheaper than that right?)
- Get the presents shipped without having to step out of home/office to go and buy them
What else do you need? If I were you, I would totally go ahead and buy some calendars right now!
You can find more information on the project here:
Official Website – Facebook Page
Please don’t forget to spread the word including the hashtag #TBC13 in your Tweets!
Thanks to all of you, I mean it.
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7 Comments
You really included the most important details in here, good, Giulia :)
Nice post, Giulia! Really sums up my feelings on why Mary and I wanted to do the calendar. So often we bloggers are accused of navel-gazing and focusing on ourselves, so I think we should celebrate any opportunity to turn the focus on others and do something to help make the world a better place.
I love the idea for your photo, Giulia! Looking good!
What a great idea, love that you are giving back.
I use the calendar in my phone long time ago. :-)
But that is not sexy and doesn’t give to charity :P
[…] Giulia of Travel Reportage shares how she becomes part of the calendar and how she ended up in a desert, dressed like a belly dancer, holding a laptop. […]