Touraid

By promoting these tours, touraid creates a catalyst for friendships and partnerships to develop between hosts and tourists. The children concerned may be orphans, former street children or simply live in poverty. By welcoming these children into their homes, clubs and schools the hosts establish close bonds with their guests - bonds which remain even after the tourists have departed and result in many of the schools, clubs and families concerned developing a strong desire to maintain the relationship and to provide funding and other resources for the children’s educational, sporting and general welfare needs. The touring children develop in confidence, their horizons widen and they become role models amongst their peers. For many of them the acquisition of a passport is the first physical manifestation of their own individual identity. Hosting children gain a personal insight into the lives of their less fortunate guests - they see for themselves the value of education, the right to family life and the essential dignity of these children in a way not otherwise easily gained in the UK.

Since November 2006 touraid has reached over 400 children from 24 nations on 33 tours to the UK originating from the Caribbean to North Africa, Central Asia to the Indian Sub-Continent and Eastern Europe to the sub-Saharan nations. Consequently host parents have provided funding for local schooling and rugby coaching. Educational and sporting supplies have been despatched from the UK. Those returning from tours are seen as leaders in their communities and the impact of these positive role models is to draw more children to participate in rugby and associated health education schemes.

It is often the comments of the coaches and children involved (both touring and hosting) which are the most telling:

1. "They left Trinidad boys and returned young men, ambassadors of our country and the Rainbow Community” (Coach).

2. “I have learnt that I should respect people for what they are and to be grateful for everything I get” (Host pupil).

3. “The tour has raised the children’s self esteem, their life expectations and aspirations. It increased their skills and commitment to the game of rugby and made them feel loved and appreciated. Above all they made new friends.” (Coach).