I was born and grew up in Manila and is used to the city life. Coming from a middle class family,  my parents raised us feeling that we had more than enough when we were growing up. I should say that from childhood up to this day, I have been living comfortably.  When I started solo travelling in 2015, my only goal was to experience and explore my beautiful home country – The Philippines.  For every province that I visited, I have seen new places, gained new friends, experience various cultures and learned new things. I always return home with memories that will last for a lifetime.

During my travels, I could not help but compare what I have in Manila realizing how blessed I am for having things that I often take for granted (having a job, a comfortable home, even food on my plate).  It was February of this year, during my first solo travel in Mindanao, where I decided that I need to help (even in my own little and simplest ways) any local/s in the province that I am visiting. Then there comes the idea of “Travel With a Purpose Project”.  My goal was not just to experience and explore my home country but to reach out and do something. Give back to the province I am visiting by helping and bringing smiles to the locals.

Completed Travel with a Purpose Projects

To date, I have completed 2 Travel with a Purpose Projects. One in Visayas and the second was in Mindanao.

• Islas de Gigantes, Iloilo – August 2016
• Tawi-Tawi – September 2016

First travel with a Purpose: Islas de Gigantes– Had an opportunity to give toys, school supplies and basic necessities to a few Islas de Gigantes locals (especially to the kids and their families who are part of the scallop export industry of the island). It was such a great and meaningful experience to travel the breathtaking islands of Gigantes and bring smiles to these awesome people at the same time. Thanks to Jen for helping me out! ? (Til next travel with a purpose at Tawi-tawi)??? #travelwithapurpose #travelblogger #philippines #islasdegigantes #travelph #onearmedwanderer

A photo posted by Ed Puno (@onearmedwanderer) on Aug 8, 2016 at 7:37am PDT

Travel with a Purpose Partners

I have also worked with the following individuals and groups that made my Travel with a Pupose Projects possible:

• Jen Montebon
• HOPE Inc.
• Dave of silverbackpacker.com
• Zamboanga and Tawi-Tawi Philippine Marines
• and of course kind-hearted indivuduals who donated to the projects (Car Gumapon, Aurora Vivero and to a group who requested to remain anonymous)

If you want to take part by donating or joining my future Travel with a Purpose projects, please feel free drop a mail at [email protected].

*Next Travel with a Purpose – Camiguin 

Thank you.

Ed, One Armed Wanderer