How a Family Vacation Sparked a New Opportunity to Deliver Health and Hope

Written by: Tami Vinson, Executive Director, Project C.U.R.E. Denver

Sometimes meaningful change begins with something as simple as carrying an extra bag. 

Last year, while preparing for a family vacation to Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort in Hopkins, Belize, my daughter Zoe and I packed an extra suitcase full of school supplies through Hamanasi's Pack for a Purpose program. The opportunity to support a local school resonated with us, and it was a meaningful way to give back to a community that has given our family so much joy over the years. That experience introduced us to Hamanasi's intentional commitment to supporting the local community. It also planted the seed for what would come next. 

This spring, shortly after starting my role as Executive Director of Project C.U.R.E., Denver, I learned more about our C.U.R.E. Kits travel program. The concept immediately reminded me of our experience in Belize and the meaningful connection that can happen when travelers are given an opportunity to support local communities. Before returning to Belize this May, I reached out to the team at Hamanasi to share that I planned to bring two C.U.R.E. Kits and to explore whether the program might be a fit for future guests. 

 Traveling with the kits turned out to be remarkably simple. We checked the kits on our flight from Denver to Belize, and Project C.U.R.E. provided all of the necessary documentation for customs. From check-in to arrival, the process was seamless and made it easy to transport more than $2,000 worth of donated medical supplies directly to the community. Once in Belize, I met with Areli, Hamanasi's Sustainability and Regenerative Ambassador. It quickly became clear that we shared a common belief in connecting people with meaningful ways to support the communities they visit. Areli introduced me to Southern Emergency Services, a nonprofit organization serving Hopkins and many of the surrounding villages, and coordinated a time for us to visit the communities and deliver the kits. 

The timing could not have been better. 

The team explained that they prepare and distribute medical supply kits to villages throughout the region ahead of hurricane season. Many of these communities can become difficult or even impossible to access during severe weather, making it essential to place supplies in the villages before storms arrive. Because of funding constraints, Southern Emergency Services have had to reduce the number of villages they are able to support with these preparedness kits. 

One of my favorite moments of the trip came as an emergency medical technician opened one of the C.U.R.E. Kits and began sorting through the supplies. Item after item was met with recognition and appreciation because the contents closely matched the supplies they include in their own village medical kits. Seeing firsthand how practical and immediately useful the donation would be made the impact feel very real. The excitement and gratitude were genuine.  

What struck me most was how a simple connection had turned into something tangible. A conversation before a family vacation resulted in resources reaching healthcare providers who could put them to work right away. The experience also highlighted how simple it can be for travelers to make a meaningful impact. Project C.U.R.E. and Hamanasi are exploring ways to connect future guests with the C.U.R.E. Kits travel program, creating another opportunity for visitors to support healthcare needs in the communities they visit. The opportunity extends far beyond Belize. Travelers heading anywhere in the world can participate in Project C.U.R.E.'s travel program by carrying a C.U.R.E. Kit filled with donated medical supplies. 

For my family and me, we are already looking forward to returning next spring with even more C.U.R.E. Kits in tow. After sharing this experience with family and friends, several have already expressed interest in helping sponsor additional kits for future trips. It has been exciting to see how one small act of service can inspire others to get involved. For me, this experience brought together many of the things I value most: family, service, relationship-building, and the opportunity to share resources in meaningful ways. As a parent, I want Zoe to grow up with a globally minded perspective and a compassionate heart. I want her to understand that travel is about more than seeing beautiful places. It is also about learning from communities, building relationships, appreciating different experiences, and finding ways to contribute when we can. 

Click here to learn more about C.U.R.E. Kits and our many programs.