Aqua Expeditions, the leader in luxury small ship cruising, has announced its newest philanthropic adventure – a life-changing charitable giving partnership with successful and internationally-recognised US-based non-profit organisation, Room to Read.
Founded in 2000, Room to Read collaborates with local communities, partner organisations and governments worldwide to ensure primary school children can become independent readers and girls can complete secondary school with skills necessary to negotiate key life decisions.
Aqua Expeditions Founder and CEO, Francesco Galli Zugaro is proud to be involved with Room to Read through his successful Aqua Mekong cruise offering on the Mekong River between Vietnam and Cambodia.
“Since launching Aqua Expeditions on the Peruvian Amazon nearly 10 years ago, I have seen first-hand the vital role of education in community healthcare and protection of the environment,” Mr Galli Zugaro said.
“On the Amazon River our professional guides play an active role as educators in community healthcare, promoting clean water projects and in our cruise ships’ eco-system management. Our guests are vital to this success through their ongoing donations to our philanthropic programs.
“When we set out to launch Aqua Mekong, I began looking at how we could engage with the Mekong River communities in philanthropic and significant ways in Vietnam and Cambodia. I personally vetted several non-governmental organisations to find the right match.”
Room to Read has provided Aqua Expeditions with copies of Khmer and Vietnamese children’s books published by their team. Aqua Mekong guests will be invited at no cost to bring a book with them to donate to a child in need when the Aqua Mekong guides take them into local communities.
Room to Read Founder, John Wood said his organisation “is very excited to be partnering with Aqua Expeditions to bring the lifelong gift of education and literacy to tens of thousands of children across Cambodia and Vietnam”.
“We are hopeful that Aqua Expeditions customers will enjoy their experience giving books out to kids, but also possibly get involved with Room to Read so we can reach more children,” Mr Wood said.
To learn more about this partnership, view a message from John Wood here. To see how Room to Read is helping local communities, view the story of Tay Thi here.
Aqua Mekong cruises are priced from USD3660 in a First Deck Suite for a 3-night Discovery Cruise. Guests can also book for a 4-night Explorer Cruise, 7-night Expedition Cruise and family offer in which children between the age of 7 and 12 years old will stay on board Aqua Mekong for free when sharing with both parents in a triple cabin or accompanied by a single parent on selected departures. For further information and reservations, call 1800 243 152 (Toll Free) or visit Aqua Expeditions’ booking facility at www.aquaexpeditions.com
SOURCE: Aqua Expeditions
