Cycle of Giving: How Thoughtful Travel becomes Powerful Impact
Female mechanics at the Chipego Bike Shop in Nakatindi, Zambia
For many luxury travellers, the joy of visiting remarkable landscapes and cultures is matched only by the desire to leave them better than we found them. A&K Philanthropy — the charitable arm of the Abercrombie & Kent network — has been pioneering a deeply collaborative approach to conservation and community support for decades, driven by the belief that travel can be a force for good.
One of the most inspiring examples of this ethos in action is the Cycle of Giving program — a women-led enterprise that is transforming lives around Victoria Falls National Park and beyond.
Riding Toward Opportunity: What the Cycle of Giving Does
At its heart, Cycle of Giving is a series of bike shop start-ups created from shipping containers filled with refurbished bicycles. These are not just bikes — they are tools of autonomy, mobility and economic independence. A&K Philanthropy funds the collection, shipment and renovation of these bikes, which are then sold locally in places such as Zambia, Uganda, Jordan and Egypt.
What makes the project so powerful isn’t only the equipment; it’s the people behind it. Local women are trained as mechanics and business operators — gaining skills that go far beyond a workshop. After an initial training period, small teams run their own bike shops, reinvesting profits into salaries, supplies and ongoing shipments. The model creates meaningful, sustainable employment and supports a ripple of benefits across the community.
As Esther Kawewe, one of the female mechanics at the Chipego Bike Shop in Nakatindi, Zambia says with pride: “Fixing bikes has made us more confident and changed our lives.”
Mobility, Independence and Community
Beyond employment, the Cycle of Giving project enhances local mobility — a profound factor in expanding opportunities. Reliable transport means students can reach schools beyond walking distance, health care workers can serve wider populations, and families have better access to goods and services. It’s a simple idea with transformational impacts because it is locally owned, locally driven and economically sustainable.
A Legacy of Purposeful Philanthropy
The Cycle of Giving sits within a wider network of A&K Philanthropy projects spanning education, health, enterprise and environment across more than 25 countries. From drilling clean-water wells in Cambodia to expanding school lunch programs in East Africa, and from supporting nursing training in Uganda to protecting vulnerable wildlife habitats, the philosophy is consistent: support and empower local communities so that conservation and wellbeing endure.
For travellers who care about the places they visit, programmes like Cycle of Giving offer something rare: a way to connect personal experiences with meaningful impact. Many journeys can be extended with visits to partner projects, allowing guests to meet entrepreneurs, see the work firsthand, and witness how thoughtful philanthropy and travel intersect.
Why This Matters for Discerning Travellers
Experiences like Cycle of Giving show that luxury travel no longer has to be about observation alone — it can be about participation. For families, couples and solo explorers alike, engaging with projects that invest in community resilience and opportunity offers a deeper, resonant layer to any journey. It enriches memories with purpose and leaves a legacy long after the trip ends.