Voluntourism - Giving Back While on Vacation in Jamaica

This is a whole new niche of travel for people looking for a more experiential vacation. In looking for places and opportunities for voluntourism, Jake's at Treasure Beach in Jamaica stood out as a glowing example of giving back to the community. This boutique hotel is a part of Island Outpost, a company started by Chris Blackwell, originally best known for his company, Island Records during the decades of the '60's, '70's and '80's. In the early 1990's he created Island Outposts and began collecting hotels. Jake's is one of several of these boutique hotels.

Uniquely chic, Jake's has 31 secluded cottages and 29 rooms, set on six acres of land near a secluded fishing village. The hotel is run by the Henzell family, the people behind Jimmy Cliff's The Harder They Come, and the hippest Caribbean film of all time. Jake's has developed a package that unites visitors and locals with the new volunteer "Goodwill Jamaica Package".

Jake's guests are invited to explore and even participate in community development projects from the non-profit organization BREDS. Package rates range from $95 per night for a garden view one bedroom up to $325 per night for an oceanfront romance suite. Villa accommodations and rates are also available.

According to the Henzells, guests who volunteer in Treasure Beach not only give back as they take a vacation, they get to know the people who live and define the island lifestyle. The joyous spirit of the locals infect the guests, who take back to their daily lives a greater sense of joy. For guests that stay four nights or more, Jake's "Goodwill Jamaica Package" includes three days of guided visits and activities at BREDS-sponsored organizations, surrounding schools, local farms, fishing communities and construction projects.

Formed in 1998, BREDS is a non-profit organization concerned with the promotion of Education, Sports and Heritage in Treasure Beach. BREDS is run by volunteers and is funded by donations. With the Dollar-a-Night initiative, participating guest houses, including Jake's, contribute $1.00 for each room night rented. Annual fund-raisers, such as the Treasure Beach Off-Road Triathlon and the South Coast Hook n Line Fishing Tournament, also provide support. BREDS' upcoming projects in Treasure Beach include the development of the Treasure Beach Sports Park.