What started off as a once-in-a-lifetime sailing trip to Indonesia for Tracy-Ann O’Sullivan and her clients, quickly turned into an opportunity to give back to those in need.
The Savenio Travel Designer was the middle of organising a sailing trip from Bali to Komodo for herself and 14 clients when disaster struck the island of Lombok.
Late July, a deadly 6.4 magnitude earthquake shocked the island. The serevity of the quake left thousands without shelter and caused disruption to daily living supplies.
A week later, another 7.0 magnitude quake added to the devestation, which was intensified when the earth shook again mid-August.
Seeing the effects of three destructive natural disasters on the Indonesian people prompted Tracy-Ann to approach her clients with the idea of transforming their sailing adventure on the Aliikai snorkelling boat into a charitable mission.
She suggested to clients that they raise funds for locals and deliver some much-needed supplies to the struggling communities in North Lombok. They welcomed the suggestion.
“We had this trip planned since last September, but when my clients heard about the earthquake and its impact on Lombok, they were all very keen to help in any way.”
Tracy-Ann O’Sullivan, Savenio Travel Designer
Hearing of her charitable plans, the owner of the chartered boat, Australian Amanda Zsebik, suggested that Tracy-Ann and her group fill the vessel with supplies – something she has been doing herself – and deliver them to locals, along with cash donations, in person.
Among the supplies Amanda suggested they deliver include tarps, t-shirts for adults and children, baby food, tents, games and books.
For more information on Amanda’s boat and recovery efforts, click here.
“While we are making a small contribution, delivering tarps and other essentials to the area, we will also be contributing to local businesses by visiting and spending money on recently reopened Gili Trawangan.”
Tracy-Ann O’Sullivan, Savenio Travel Designer
The Travel Agent continued, saying that Northern Lombok and the North Gili islands were normally swarming with holiday makers, but the earthquakes had had a devastating impact on the area with one local hotel owner feeding up to 800 locals a day from her ruined resort.
Image: Tracy-Ann O’Sullivan Mobile Travel Designer/Facebook
She sent a message to other advisors saying that despite the impact of natural disaster, the area is still open for business and “there are many areas of Lombok and surrounding islands that are unaffected”.
To support the effort to rebuild Lombok, click here.
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