H.U.G. Projects (Help Understand Give)

 
Cultural Embrace’s H.U.G. (Help Understand Give) Projects serve as our corporate commitment to empower people in disadvantaged communities.

We are dedicated to the development and support of small communities around the world; providing financial, emotional, and logistical support to local non-profits and causes. We have identified communities with minimal resources, and want to provide all parties involved (the local community, foreign volunteers, and investors) the ability to Help, Understand, Give (H.U.G.). The mission of Cultural Embrace stands true to our goals and purpose of our H.U.G. Projects. Our goals are to provide quality service and provide opportunities for people to explore their world, open their eyes, and enlighten their minds and hearts. Traveling is a reciprocated flow of communication and interaction between people...the more you seek, the more you learn.

We have selected a handful of local non-profits in the under-served communities of Guatemala, South Africa, Austin, Kenya, and China; and are focusing our efforts to improve their living conditions in five key areas: 1) Education, 2) Diversity & Leadership, 3) Environmental Conservation & Awareness, 4) Healthy & Balanced Living, 5) Creativity.

To learn more about the specific project details, causes, and objectives, click the country-specific tabs below, or view the videos to gain a better understanding of the Cultural Embrace H.U.G. Projects.

  • H.U.G. Guatemala

    Assist a local nonprofit supporting children in a low socio-economic community of San Mateo, Guatemala. Support work may include, but is not limited to tutoring, cleaning, creating co-operative handicrafts to sell, construction, painting, and more.

    Learn more...

  • H.U.G. South Africa

    Join C.E. and our local partners in the poorest province of S. Africa to bring computer labs and literacy programs to local public schools.

    Learn more...

  • H.U.G. Austin

    Experience Austin beyond our live music and 'weirdness', by embracing service projects that help disadvantaged communities. Open to U.S. and International Volunteers.

    Learn more...

  • H.U.G. Kenya

    Join our efforts to help strengthen an orphanage outside of Nairobi. Participate in service projects such as sustainable agriculture, community support and development, HIV/AIDS awareness, and more.

    Learn more...

“I can honestly say that I love coming to school everyday … When I have to leave these kids, it is going to be one of the hardest things that I will ever have to do. The only thing that I wish is that I have made the same impact on my students as they have made on me.”  -Justin, USA  ~ Teach in Chile

”I highly recommend Cultural Embrace to anyone looking to see the world.  The staff makes sure you are set up before you leave and that you will be taken care of once you reach your destination.  I have researched competitors' offers and yes, CE does indeed give the best value.  At the same time, what you see and experience really can't be measured in monetary terms. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything.”  -Jennifer, USA  ~ Teach in Chile

"I experienced the 'real China' and it was great! I will always look back at all the fond memories of an interesting job, very sweet and kindhearted people, great Chinese food and EXCELLENT TRAVELING OPPORTUNITIES!"  – Anup, Canada ~ Teach in China ’01-’02, Teach in Poland ’03-’04, Teach in Latin America ‘05

"Everything is going very well here in China!  Tom and I both arrived without any problems, and the staff here has been extremely welcoming and helpful.  The accomodations are also very nice.  We have already done a great deal of exploring, and there is so much more to see".– Shawn, USA ~Teach in China

"I could write volumes about the experience...but probably the most enlightening for me was forcing myself into a situation of total frustration: where everyday is filled with despair and flailing arms as if you were drowning. A few weeks of that is enough to change anyone’s life even a little. And after that, there’s this period of growth on a scale that you could never experience in your homeland (speaking your native language). And once you settle in to the new environment - living like a local – THAT feeling is indescribable!"- Bret, USA ~Teach in Latin America