Worldpacker volunteer Antonio Malastesta blogs about his time on Gili  Trawangan and The Million Movement

While I was at university studying International Business Administration, I felt the need to travel, discover new places and experience new cultures. The idea of staying in the same place for too long terrified me. So I decided to take all my exams as soon as possible and then focus on traveling as much as possible. At the same time I did not want to travel just for myself. I wanted to leave something behind at every place I visited. I was aware of the fact that I was born on the ‘right’ side of the world, and too many people (including me), take this for granted.

The Million Movement

This is why after I graduated I founded an NGO, The Million Movement, with the aim to help the local communities I planned on visiting. Every place I go, I make promotional videos about the most beautiful things the place has to offer and all the money I earn through sponsors and donations are donated to the communities. All the content I make is shared through The Million Movement Facebook page, and the more people we reach, the bigger the impact we can make.

Broken Compass Gili

Photo Lucy Watkins

My first destination was Gili Trawangan, a wonderful island in Indonesia situated between Bali and Lombok. While I was there, I volunteered for an amazing hostel called Broken Compass. Staying here allowed me to save some money which I then donated to The Gili Eco Trust, a local NGO, who are committed to coral reef restoration, waste management, recycling initiatives and much more on Gili Trawangan. The most memorable thing about Gili was the hospitality of the locals who were always ready to help me and treat me like a native person. My video on Gili Trawangan is currently on The Million Movement Facebook page and in the next few days new videos about the main issues of the island and what we can do to help the local community will be published. Stay Tuned!

For a sneak preview, here is one of the short clips I made:

Interested in volunteering at Broken Compass? Send us an email telling us about yourself and why you would be a good addition to our team.

 

 

1 comment. Leave new

Awesome! I know Antonio from University and it’s inspiring to read how he’s really following through with his goal to Travel & Donate. You set yourself a goal Antonio and you’ve had the drive of a madman ever since. I really enjoyed the read and the videos, please keep going!!