Dear Traveler ,
In 1992 we established Grand Circle Foundation , an entity of the Lewis Family Foundation , as a means to give back to the world that had already given us so much . Since then , we ’ ve pledged or donated more than $ 250 million to about 600 organizations worldwide , including some 300 schools in 90 villages where we travel .
Young students at school in Eswatini ( Swaziland ).
Grand Circle Foundation is also there when crisis unfolds in the world . Russia ’ s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in an unprecedented outpouring of support for Ukrainian refugees and orphans . Through the kind generosity of our travelers and associates , more than $ 3 million of relief aid in the form of clothing , food , medicine , and other items in short supply are getting directly into the hands of Ukrainian refugees at shelters in Poland and Romania .
A continent away , another crisis is unfolding more slowly but potentially just as devastating . With drought conditions creating water shortages across East Africa , the Foundation ’ s Vice President , Jan Byrnes , has been spearheading a project to bring water to villages and schools we support in Tanzania . In partnership with Wine to Water , an organization led by our friend Doc Hendley , we funded a water drilling rig and team of operators to bring more immediate relief to those in need . In July , Jan took her 13-year-old grandson Aiden to Tanzania and met up with Doc just as initial drilling got underway . Within days , clean water began flowing for the Eluway primary school in Karatu — with more to come .
Learn how Moroccan women are bettering their lives with workshops at the Imik Simik Women ’ s Association .
None of this would be possible without your help . Thank you for traveling with us , and for helping to change people ’ s lives .
Warm regards ,
Harriet R . Lewis
Chair , Grand Circle Foundation Wine to Water founder Doc Hendley and Grand Circle Foundation Vice President Jan Byrnes take a quick work break in Tanzania .
How you can help
If you visit the Foundation ’ s home page at www . grandcirclefoundation . org , you can click on our “ Donate to Ukrainian Refugee Relief ” section . To learn about many more ongoing Foundation projects , you can sign up for our weekly e-newsletter , the Inside Scoop , at www . oattravel . com / the-inside-scoop .
Learn more about the many ways we help change lives together at www . grandcirclefoundation . org
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