Paul Miedema
“Paul is inspirational, totally dedicated, hard-working and committed ... I will have no hesitation in crossing seas and continents again to work with him.”
Those words - from a volunteer who worked with Paul Miedema - are just how people feel when they work with this extraordinary man. A white South African, Paul turned his anti-apartheid activism into a business model that benefits all segments of South African society. He combines responsible tourism with ethical volunteering and a core belief that the new South Africa will thrive only if there is real understanding of the history and culture of all peoples there. Through respectful township tours in his home area of the Eastern Cape, Paul’s Calabash Tours helps get the “unheard” black historical voice heard - debunking the myths that many tourists believe about township people and poverty in general. Visitors not only see the reality of these townships and people, but also understand the richness of their traditional cultures, still vibrant despite Apartheid. Over the last 4 years he helped some 12,000 tourists gain a better understanding of South Africa’s townships, with an estimated R1,5 million yield to township business.
Tourists on Paul’s programs often ask how they can make more of a difference. In 1999 Paul established Calabash Trust to manage donations and direct the money into projects that would change lives. From feeding programs for malnourished children, to home AIDS care, to essential school furniture, donations to the Trust make a real difference to the children of the region. Donors tend to be repeat donors, knowing the money will not only be wisely spent, but also fully accounted for.
To provide even deeper connections between people of different parts of the world, Paul created volunteer opportunities in 2005. He established working partnerships with several local primary schools, as well as a community-care and home-based care HIV/AIDS programs. These programs are structured to first and foremost benefit the local community, not simply be a destination stop for a visitor.
Paul understands that responsible travel needs to be a win-win situation...creating better experiences for both local people and visitors. One of the achievements he values most is that the communities welcome the presence of his programs. Although much of the work is done in areas labeled “high crime,” in 11 years of business Calabash has not experienced one incident of crime. Paul credits the community members for the “consent” they provide for Calabash to operate freely, in recognition of their commitment to empower and support the community.
Paul is recognized for his expertise on responsible tourism, often asked to share his ideas and enthusiasm at conferences and meetings. In 2004, Calabash Trust and Calabash Tours were the international winners of the Responsible Tourism Award for Best Poverty Reduction Program. Beyond the professional accolades, however, Ode’s personal award seems most fitting for Paul Miedema. His intelligent optimism is helping build the new South Africa through understanding and mutual respect, inspiring individuals of all cultures around the world.
I first met Paul Miedema in 2005 when I was developing a model for responsible volunteering. Since then Paul and I have worked closely together on his volunteer programme in Port Elizabeth. He has been very influential in enabling people and places to offer a service of integrity to volunteers and communities. His guidance and willingness to share his knowledge and learn from others has made our partnership in this work very powerful. He does not see responsible travel as a list of criteria, responsible travel is at the very core of all of the work that he does, particularly, responsibility to the economically poor communities in the town ships of Port Elizabeth. His understanding of the commercial imperatives and the strictures of working with large corporates means that he is trusted by many key players in the tourism industry and he has therefore been able, whilst never compromising his core values, to encourage them to adopt responsible travel practices...he is an impassioned advocate of the effectiveness of involving “the corporates”.
Paul, demonstrates daily in his work with Calabash Tours, Calabash Trust and now his consultancy work, just how powerful a development tool ethical and responsible tourism can be.
To steal someone else’s phrase he is a “rebellious local”....exactly what the responsible travel movement needs. His commitment to responsible travel and pro poor tourism is demonstrated in every aspect of his work. He leads a successful sustainable business BASED on responsible tourism. He is a leader. I can think of few better advocates and more importantly practitioners of responsible tourism.
posted by salliegrayson on 11/25/2008 4:17 am