STA Travel Trust

Travel with a Difference

Media Release - April 2007

Travel makes a difference. Proving this are two Melbournians bound for different parts of the world, in order to help change the lives of people and communities.

Jess Young and Claire Coxon’s project ideas to help HIV sufferers in Kenya and Cambodian street children respectively, became a reality recently, when they were awarded STA Travel Trust grants. Established in 2000, the STA Travel Trust has enabled over 40 individuals, like Claire and Jess, to partake in travel inspired projects benefiting communities around the world.

Jess will be travelling to Kenya to establish a home based care program for HIV sufferers of the Luo Tribe. The project involves providing 30 individuals with grass roots training about the special medical, nutritional and emotional needs of people living with HIV, through home visitation. 

“The projects aim is to improve the quality of life for people living with HIV and their families, increase community awareness and understanding and ultimately contribute to an environment conducive to the reduction of HIV transmission,” said Jess.

Claire will be working closely with the Green Geckos House in Siem Reap, Cambodia.  A place where street children can get a hot meal, learn English and take a shower. Claire is responsible for sourcing and implementing businesses, like selling postcards and baskets for these children and their families.  The development of businesses will provide a more sustainable, safer and desirable means to make a living. 

“The project originated when the Cambodian Government recently made it illegal to beg. Street children and their families, who made their living by begging are now forced to resort to alternative methods like crime, drugs and human trafficking to survive,” said Claire.

STA Travel Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Euan Friday said the STA Travel
Trust was also developed to encourage exploration of the world and in doing so explore the issues of peace, tolerance, justice and equality.

“The STA Travel Trust enables people to get more out of their travel experiences and give something back to the global community.  Embracing different cultures and working to overcome a variety of social problems encourages a greater tolerance and sense of harmony within the world,” said Euan.

In February, June and October of each year an independent panel including Triple J radio presenter Francis Leach; Young Australian of the Year 2006, Trisha Broadbridge; organiser of Make Poverty History, Dan Adams; The Oaktree Foundation Australia and International Director Hugh Evans and STA Travel staff assess sponsorship applications.

Want to submit your own application for project sponsorship to the STA Travel Trust? For more information on how to apply visit: