Vayando, a social enterprise redesigning travel for social impact wins the Awesome Atlanta Grant

ATLANTA - Feb. 10, 2015 - PRLog -- Awesome Atlanta has awarded their February $1000 grant to Jason Seagle and Vayando, an online social enterprise marketplace connecting curious travelers with local “micro-entrepreneurs” that have an interest and motivation for sharing their knowledge, activities, experiences and skills.

One of the most rewarding aspects of travel is the opportunity to learn about and participate in different cultural experiences. For experienced travelers, the thrill of diving into a new culture is part of the adventure, but not everyone prefers such a self-guided approach, particularly in parts of the world where access to resources, transportation and reliable guides is limited.

That’s where Vayando comes in:  The concept of linking travelers with micro-entrepreneurs originated a number of years ago when Vayando co-founders Jason Seagle and Scott Wilhelm worked together in Peace Corps El Salvador.  They saw firsthand how difficult it was for travelers to confidently step off the plane or bus and connect directly with local people who are not listed in a traditional travel guide. Inversely, local people often have a valuable trade, skill, or knowledge base to offer - and are looking for opportunity - but can be excluded from the tourism sector, and lack ways of marketing services to travelers online.

“A traveler should expect to see this as an introduction to a community, and a way to meet great people and better understand local economies. Expect a personal day-in-the-life, and less of a packaged tour,”  said co-founder, Jason Seagle.

“The local people we market are engaged in their actual livelihood practice, and are not "tour guides" per se. Know that some experiences will be more structured than others and realize that there may be a bit of a language barrier, just go with it or book a local translator too. Be curious and flexible and open to the day developing organically,” he continued.

The grant money will be used to help cover costs associated with meeting with micro-entrepreneurs, Peace Corps Volunteers, field partner organizations, government representatives, etc., in the respective countries that have joined the Vayando platform.

“I can't tell you enough how thrilled we are being the Awesome grant recipient this month, and how timely it is! Will go a long way,” Jason continued.

The Awesome Foundation will host their monthly Awesome Hour on Wednesday, February 18; 7:00 pm at Fork and Juniper located inside of the Hyatt Atlanta Midtown.  Jasonwill be recognized and given the $1,000 grant to continue Vayando’s expansion.

Individuals and groups interested in applying for an Awesome Grant in the future are encouraged to come out and meet the group’s trustees.

“I encourage those involved in social enterprise and community-based work to attend,” Jason added.  “I attended a few Awesome Hours prior to winning the grant and I felt it had an impact on my most recent application since I’ve applied once before.  I also met some great people that I will continue to connect and build with,” he concluded.

To date, The Awesome Foundation for the Arts and Sciences has granted over one million dollars in grants worldwide through their network of chapters. Awesome Atlanta is overjoyed to be assisting local causes for the greater good of our community.

* For more information about Vayando visit: http://www.vayando.com/
* RSVP for Awesome Hour: https://www.facebook.com/events/325056271023142/

About the Awesome Foundation:

The Awesome Foundation for the Arts and Sciences is an ever-growing, worldwide network of people devoted to forwarding the interest of awesomeness in the universe. Created in the long hot summer days of 2009 in Boston, the Foundation distributes a series of monthly $1,000 grants to projects and their creators. The money is pooled together from the coffers of ten or so self-organizing “micro-trustees” and given upfront in cash, check, or gold doubloons. The chapters are organized by a founder and trustees around geographic areas or topics of interest. Awesome Atlanta was founded by Dr. Dionne Mahaffey in 2014 and is the organization’s 88^th Chapter.   For more information please visit www.AwesomeFoundation.org – Connect socially: Twitter - @AwesomeAtlanta