Giving back is one way we honor the places and people who have welcomed us along our journey. Through meaningful partnerships and acts of service, we hope to leave a positive, heartfelt impact within the organizations and communities we visit. Perhaps the greatest gift of travel is the opportunity to give something back.
Giving Back
Carrying the spirit of connection and support into the communities we visit.
Some of the Camino's greatest lessons are realized in moments of service. Laura had the privilege of volunteering with Discamino, an inspiring organization that enables people with disabilities to experience the Camino with the support of adapted bicycles, specialized chairs, and a dedicated community of volunteers.
Laura spent several days walking alongside the group, covering more than 100 kilometers together as they made their way to Santiago. Along the way, she helped push—and at times pull—the adapted chairs, while volunteers, family members, and friends worked together to support every pilgrim. It was a powerful reminder that the Camino has never been about reaching the destination alone. It is a journey built on kindness, shared effort, and community.
The experience held a deep personal significance. Laura's father lived with a disability, making the opportunity to witness such compassion, determination, and collective support especially meaningful.
Later that year, Laura was invited to share reflections on her experience during an Open House with American Pilgrims on the Camino, a nonprofit that supports and connects Camino participants. It was an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable work of Discamino and the legendary spirit of inclusion that makes the Camino so very special.
A Lesson In Trust with Discamino
Beyond the Retreat: Camino de Santiago
We are changed by every destination we visit—first by the landscapes we discover, and then by the people we meet along the way.
While visiting northern Tanzania, Laura spent time with the children and team at Children of Kilimanjaro Orphanage (COKO), a community near Moshi dedicated to providing a safe home, education, and opportunities for children to thrive.
What began as a standard visit quickly became a meaningful connection, filled with creativity, laughter, and kindness.
The spirit of pilgrimage reminds us how to show up in the world. We learn to slow down, to be present, and acknowledge that sometimes the most meaningful moments happen within simple acts of connection: a shared laugh, admiring a beautiful color, a hand held on the way to lunch.
Supporting COKO is one small way we hope to honor that spirit and give something back to a community that has touched our hearts. If you'd like to learn more about the inspiring work of Children of Kilimanjaro Orphanage (COKO), we invite you to visit their website below.
Our Lasting Connection with the Children of Kilimanjaro Orphanage (COKO)
Beyond the Retreat: Tanzania
