Giving Back

In keeping with our values, we place a high importance on serving others and giving in areas where we feel we can make a tangible difference. When clients take a journey with us, they also know that they are contributing to the quality of life of others in need. Apart from numerous charities that we support with smaller donations, we focus on 3 key areas of giving.

1. Giving to Communities & Families in Need

Apart from contributing to the remote communities we visit by employing local guides, porters, cooks, drivers and paying for trek fees, guesthouse accommodation, local produce, site visits, cleaning services etc; we also contribute to more needy communities and families in other ways.

Since we started operating on the Kokoda Trail Free Spirit Adventures and it's trekkers have either donated or organised the contribution of the following:

Donation of sporting goods to Kokoda School, Kovello, Efogi, Menari and Naduri Villages.
Organised a book drive and shipping of books and school resources to Kavovo School to help rebuild their library after a fire.
Donation of school resources to Bisitibu, Efogi and Menari Schools.
Organised the delivery of 20 new school desks to Efogi School.

Presented a plaque to Efogi School in memory of 2/27th Battalion who fought on Mission Ridge.

Gift of a guitar to Buna porters.
Donation of Mosquito nets to Buna Village.
Donation of medical supplies to Waju Village & Buna Aid Posts & Kokoda Hospital.

Paying funeral expenses for one of our porters family members.
Gifting boots and other camping gear to guides and porters.
Donations to Oro Province community affected by Cyclone Guba

We support community project initiatives of the Kokoda Track Foundation

In 2010 & 2011 we supported the Krappers 4 Kokoda Project in conjunction with Legacy and the Kokoda Track Foundation to reduce water contamination near rivers along the track and to reduce health risks for school children.

In 2012 we are supporting the Adopt an Angel Program to support the education of children.

Free Spirit Adventures currently sponsors three primary school children through the Kokoda Track Foundation's 'Adopt and Angel' program.

Elsie with Wayne at Buna School

If you would like to 'Adopt an Angel', please click her for more information

Lighting Up The Track in 2012

This year we are also a Project Partner for the Lighting up the Track project which is donating 1000's of solar lights to villages along the Kokoda Trail. This project impacts, health, education, micro-business, social opportunities and safety. We are proud to be sponsoring Isuarava Village. Please email us if you would like to support this project.

We also have trekkers volunteering their time while up in PNG.

Kathy Brookes volunteered her nursing skills at Waju Aid Post and delivered a medical kit.

Mick Shaw volunteered his business coaching skills to help people in Kokoda who are developing micro-businesses to take advantage of eco-tourism.

In Africa we support the East Africa Food Crisis Appeal

Millions in Africa are facing a humanitarian crisis caused by drought, conflict, and rising food prices. Your donation will help to provide urgent relief, and develop sustainable solutions to provide food for the future. Donate Here

2. Legacy Kokoda TREKKERS

Legacy is a voluntary organisation of veterans, servicemen & women and other volunteers who are dedicated to the care of the dependents of Australian Defence Force personnel, after the death of a spouse or parent during service and after operational service. Legacy currently cares for 115,000 widows and 1900 dependants throughout Australia.

Legacy Kokoda Trekkers was started in 2009 to provide fellowship for those who have walked the Kokoda Track and who want to give back to the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice by supporting Legacy.

For more on Legacy Kokoda Trekkers see Facebook Page.

Legacy Kokoda Treks 2012

Trek 1: August 20th - Sept 2nd.

Trek 2: Sept 3rd - Sept 16th.

These will be community project treks that we will be supporting on behalf of Legacy and the Kokoda Track Foundation. In 2010 & 11 we contributed to Community Health Projects. In 2012 we will be supporting the 'Adopt and Angel' project which pays for the schooling of children who live in villages along the Kokoda Trail corridor through to the northern beaches of the Oro Province.

Click on the links below for more information or to register your interest.

3. Operation Flinders Foundation

Operation Flinders Foundation is a South Australian based charitable organisation that runs a world leading wilderness adventure program for young offenders and young people at risk. The program takes participants between the age of 14 and 18 years on an eight day exercise in the far northern Flinders Ranges, providing an opportunity for its participants to break away from their past and grow as valued members of the community.

We support Operation Flinders in two ways:

Direct involvement as Team Leaders of youth at risk groups on Operation Flinders Exercises in the Flinders Ranges and assisting with Peer Group Mentor training.
Fundraising through the Annual Trailblazer Challenge. In 2008 we were recognised as the highest fundraisers out of hundreds of companies represented and in the last three years we have entered 12 teams in the event bringing our total fundraising so far to more than $8000. We hope to raise more money in this year's Trailblazer event on October 6-7th.

Visit www.trailblazer.org.au for more info about the event.

If you would like to join one of our Trail Blazer Challenge teams for 2012,

please contact wayne@freespiritadventures.com.au or call 08 83772415.