Jan 27, 2011

Help Pack For A Purpose make a difference in the lives of children in Fiji | Matava - Fijis Premier Eco Adventure Resort

Matava has committed to being part of the Pack For A Purpose initiative. Click here to find our exact requests…

Help Pack For A Purpose make a difference in the lives of children around the world. Use available space in your luggage to provide supplies to the communities you visit. If just 500 individuals pack 5 lbs (2.27 kgs) each, we can provide 1.25 tons of Supplies!

Pack For A Purpose

The genesis of the idea:

During our first trip to Africa, my husband Scott and I learned that while we were limited to 40 pounds (18.14 kgs) of luggage on safari, the airline had an allowance of 100 pounds (45 kgs) of checked luggage plus a 40 pound (18.14 kg) carry-on. In making plans for a second trip, we looked into visiting a school near the lodge we would visit in Botswana. We contacted our safari company, Wilderness Safaris, to see if we could determine any specific needs of that school. Armed with that information, we were able to deliver 140 pounds (64 kgs) of school supplies, including soccer balls, to the school. It was enormously rewarding to be able to help the people in the community that had given us such a life-changing experience. Since then, we and a few of our fellow-travelers have made several trips to other countries in Africa and have been able to deliver an estimated 1,000 pounds (453 kgs) in donations of clothing, school and medical supplies. I asked a travel agent why other travelers did not use their luggage allowances this way. “Because nobody thinks about it,” he said. That was our “aha” moment.

Scott and I knew from our experiences that taking large amounts of supplies required a great deal of time and close logistical cooperation with the touring company. We felt we needed to come up with a simpler and more direct way for travelers to take supplies where they were going.

By asking travelers to pack 5 lbs (2.27 kgs) of supplies, we felt we would be able to involve everyone who wanted to add value to his or her trip by participating. By delivering the supplies directly to the traveler’s accommodation, it would be possible for every traveler to contribute and require no logistical support. That amount would take only a small space, require little effort and still make a big impact.

I realized that to make my idea a reality, I would need the assistance and skills of many other talented people. It is with gratitude that I would like to acknowledge and thank the people below as well as those who have agreed to serve on our Board. They have given generously and freely of their time and expertise.

Pack for a Purpose logoAnn Cramer, Keith Dokho, Dinda Elliot, Jenny Knott Gilbert, Debbie Goldberg, Eric Goldberg, Sharon Goldberg, Hazel Gooding, Mona Hall, Marcia Harris, Angela Bendorf Jamison, Rob Karn, Kilara Little, Robert Mungo, Bert Du Plessis, Michelle Pudu, Benji Rabhan, Sid Strauss, Laura Thompson, Dianna Upton, Michael Vidal and Cindy Wittmer.

Extra special thanks go to Erik Macenas who designed our Logo and our Website with unending patience and an amazing ability to work with a team.

Rebecca Rothney

Who We Are

The Members of the Board are experienced travelers and active members of their communities. Collectively they have travelled to all 7 continents and have a cumulative life experience of 346 years. The Members of the Board are actively involved with many other non-profits and committed to enhancing the global community in which they live. Additionally, the Board Members are entrepreneurs and work in corporate America.

Click here to find Matava’s requests for the villages in Kadavu…

Pack for a Purpose


Help Pack For A Purpose make a difference in the lives of children in Fiji | Matava - Fijis Premier Eco Adventure Resort

Jan 24, 2011

Viagem para Fiji, Matava Resort ( 2ª Parte )

Welcome to Paradise! - Review of Matava - TripAdvisor

We researched the Matava resort extensively and communicated with the staff many times before our trip. They were always happy to answer any questions. It made our decision easier to come to Kadavu.

Our Fiji trip felt like a dream. There is so many things to do around the resort. Perfect for a couple to experience in such a beautiful destination. We came to Fiji interested in doing some Fishing, Trekking, and snorkeling during our stay. Every activity was amazing. We stayed in the Honeymoon Bure during our vacation and it was quite comfortable and had the most amazing views. The dining options were steller too. Lots of dishes with different touches of different cultures. I also became fond of the coconut ice cream and fresh Pinapple. The staff was was very welcoming it all started with Maggie. He was very helpful in so many aspects.

When we did our Trek, Sami was our tour guide and he also did a spectacular job. He brought us to a few waterfalls and guided us through a few local villages. All along the way we had incredible views and took a ton of great pictures.

We also did a day on a remote island. Maggie dropped us of on a beautiful remote island after starting a fire for us to cook food on from the resort. We spent the day relaxing, snorkeling, and trekking around the island while taking photos.

We did 4 days fishing and that went great as well. I brought my own Jigging and Popping tackle as this is a hobby of mine. Adrian recommended several Poppers and Stickbaits in which I brought too. We were really impressed with how Adrian and Joe worked together to make sure you have the best experience possible. Fishing with Joe was also a blast. He is absolutely hilarious! These guys really work well together. We ended up catching Giant Trevally up to about 35kg, Dogtooth Tuna, Bluefin Trevally, and Redbass. The conditions weren't perfect weather wise for fishing but we were certainly happy with the action. One day I was able to boat 11 GT's, Bluefin Trevally, and some Redbass. That's certainly not a bad day fishing anywhere! Adrian tells me it can get even better!

I strongly recommend Matava to anyone that wants to experience Fiji away from the bigger cities and see more of the remote beautiful areas that Fiji is known for. We are already thinking of another trip back!

Kadavu Fiji

Welcome to Paradise! - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor

Jan 12, 2011

Refer a Friend to Fiji on Air Pacific and Companion Rate is $625

Don't let your friends be jealous of your Fiji vacation - bring them along! Book your flight for $1050 and your friend flies for $625. Bring along two more friends, and you fly FREE!
Air Pacific, Fiji’s International Airline, is offering reduced airfares to travelers who take a friend along to Fiji on Air Pacific.

THE OFFER: Fly roundtrip from Los Angeles to the South Pacific on Air Pacific from only $1,050* and travelers can take a companion for an additional $625*

OR get three of your friends to travel to the South Pacific with you and you will travel for free**.


The South Pacific includes the following destinations: Nadi, Fiji Islands; Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne in Australia; Auckland and Christchurch in New Zealand; Tongatapu in Tonga; Port Vila in Vanuatu; Apia in Western Samoa; Honiara in the Solomon Islands.

If traveling to any of the destinations beyond Fiji, the stopover in Fiji is Free.
This offer is available for sale from January 8, 2011 until May 31, 2011. Travel is valid from January 15, 2011 until May 31, 2011, and all travel must be completed by June 14, 2011.

*Prices include fuel surcharge. Government taxes and other fees are additional from $115.
** Government taxes and other fees apply from $315.

Air Pacific, 800-227-4446, www.airpacific.com

Refer a Friend to Fiji on Air Pacific and Companion Rate is $625

Fiji Kadavu Matava video from guest


Fiji - 22 Dec 2010 flight to Kadavu Island then boat to Matava eco-retreat