Responsible Tourism Projects
Trash for Cash
An initiative to create awareness amongst the youth about beach culture while exposing them to a variety of aquatic sport programs. Chosen youth would then be trained for certificate programs & coaching provided for national events. The value of the activity has to be paid for with trash collected by the kids.
Calling it the ‘Baywatch’ of Tamil Nadu, Jehan says he urges boys and girls to get up on their feet and train as open water lifeguards — “It can earn them a living either within or outside India,” he says. The certificate course includes communication, first-aid, resuscitation, swimming, physical fitness and more in the syllabus. Besides that, he provides classes in kayaking, wind and kitesurfing, where once they grow to an instructor level, they can secure jobs in adventure tourism companies.
“I have known these youth since the time they were small kids. I was quite worried to think how their future would be like with the kind of results and improvements they showed during their academic life. It is just very surprising to see the way they have made efforts to do something in life and become such good Adventure instructors.
