Hands Up Philosophy

What we stand for 

• The dignity of every individual - every person is of equal value
• We in the West can offer a lot to disadvantaged communities, and we make this happen, whilst being conscious that it is not our right to impose our value system...and we are very aware that frequently it is us who have more to learn from other communities than we can teach them
• Being good stewards of the Earth and its resources, and conserving them for future generations

What we stand against

• Selfishness and greed
• Exploitation of people and of the Earth's resources
• Any situation that treats people as a means to an end

Meaningful interaction with local cultures
Hands Up is all about people: enriching people’s lives through travel and service.  We are committed to providing you with authentic experiences with real people…when you help build a house, you can expect to be joined by locals who often come along and lend a hand…and you can even have the opportunity to stay with a host family. Hands Up is your chance to get immersed in the local culture!

Where practical, we have arranged the Volunteer Project for the middle of the trip in order to provide time to learn about the culture before volunteering and to relax and reflect on your experience after the project.

Holidays that make a difference
All Hands Up staff are committed to giving you an enriching travel experience and know what is required to achieve this.  The choice of sights will fill your photo album, and our Community Development projects will give you a real sense of achievement and help change lives for the better.

Maximising the amount of the money retained by the local communities
We use local guides and operators, and are committed to mentoring prospective guides, thus promoting their employment prospects. In addition, Hands Up is committed to investing into sustainable development projects within the communities we support.  For more information on this, see our ‘Community Based Tours’ section.

Small group or independent travel
We offer small group and independent travel. If you choose a group tour, we will form the group for you, and you can book in the knowledge that you will be part of a personal, intimate travel experience, as most of our tour groups are restricted to a maximum of 12 travellers.

If you wish to travel independently or with one or two friends (and not with a group that we assemble for you), we can tailor-make your itinerary and arrange the Community Development volunteer project. However, some of the Community Development projects, such as building projects, are only practical for those travelling in a group.

For more information and customised pricing on these, please email us direct at tailormade@handsupholidays.com or phone our free phone number (UK) 0800 783 3554, or + 44 207 193 1062 elsewhere.

Local guides and/or tour leaders
Almost all our guides and tour leaders are born and raised in the country they work in, and are knowledgeable about their country’s history and culture, as well as the challenges facing their country today.  Expect them to gently challenge your worldview! At the same time, our guides delight in showing you ‘off the beaten track’ secrets and making you feel welcome and secure.

Eating safely and well
One of the highlights of travelling to exotic locations is the opportunity to tantalise the taste buds.  We do our best to ensure that all your meals are delicious, healthy and safe.  Many meals are included in the trip price (these are indicated on each itinerary), while we also recognise that sometimes you want the freedom to choose your own dining destination. Your guide will happily make recommendations, if requested.

Real adventure
We aim to provide you with an amazing, enriching adventure that makes a positive difference.

Hands Up Holidays – Enjoy, Experience, Enrich… yourself, and the community.