year between the Tui Care Foundation and Plan International. The Tui Care Foundation was
founded in 2011, with operating costs covered by Tui, and supports global projects that empower young people in key tourism destinations, primarily via education and training. Plan International focuses on advancing children’s rights and, in particular, equality for girls. The Tui Academy is also linked to
Down to Zero, an initiative funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to fight the sexual exploitation of young people in holiday destinations. As the travel industry knows, tourism can be a powerful way to bring opportunity – and money – to local communities, which is why the Tui Care Foundation set up the academy here. Elise Allart, executive director of
programmes and operations, says: “We started it to address the high youth unemployment, especially among young women. So many are already mothers – some have several children by the age of 18. The teenage pregnancy rate is about twice the global average.”
w HOPE FOR THE FUTURE My trip to the Dominican Republic is a chance to see the Tui Academy in
The best thing is the support – spending time with people who have a good heart and giving me hope for the future
action. The three-year project aims to bring education and employment in tourism to 150 young people from deprived communities near Punta Cana, with 70% of the places reserved for girls. Day care is provided as many are young mothers. All stints include three months’
vocational training and an internship at Blue Diamond resorts in housekeeping, bartending or as kitchen assistants. On completion, students receive
certification from Infotep, the country’s official institute for vocational training, after which Tui Academy graduates receive working contracts of at least six months. At the conference some of the
students talk about their experiences on the programme. For some, even
getting accepted was a challenge due to family pressures or bureaucratic reasons such as not having an ID card. One student, Francesca, tells us:
“For me, the best thing is the support I’ve had. Spending time with people who have a good heart and giving me hope for the future.” These are the sort of opportunities
that have often bypassed local young people, as many tourism companies advertise for specific skills or through media they don’t use. Maria, another student, is particularly passionate about her new bartending skills. “That’s my speciality, I love making drinks,” she says. She’s also ambitious. “Since I was
little, I wanted to be a civil engineer. My parents can’t pay, but now I feel things are possible,” she adds. For Jason, it’s been a way out of unemployment. “It’s been hard to find a job and study at the same time. Mostly, I have to stay at home and do nothing.” And for single mother Lucia
LEFT: The programme includes life skills
42
travelweekly.co.uk 9 August 2018
Francesa, it’s opened doors. She says: “I have a baby who is a year and five months old, but this has motivated me.” Another girl, whose shyness
prevents me naming her, says: “I love
PICTURES: FRAN AFONSO; PLAN INTERNATIONAL
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