Frequently asked questions...
- 01
Bridge the Gap (BTG) is a small, U.S.-based company that partners with the Mali tribe in a collaborative effort to promote responsible tourism on Vorovoro Island. Together, we facilitate culturally immersive and educational travel experiences for individuals, groups, and students on Vorovoro Island. Our trips tend to have a large positive impact on people and we like that and it greatly informs what we do.
Through this mutually beneficial partnership, the Vorovoro community and extended tribe is supported in reaching their community development goals and Bridge the Gap is able to give travelers the once-in-a-lifetime experience of immersing themselves in Fijian culture in their native island home. This an exclusive opportunity, as group sizes are kept small and trips are kept infrequent so as to not negatively impact Vorovoro's natural environment.
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Bridge the Gap was established in 2012 by Jenny Cahill with a vision to support the Vorovoro and Mali Island communities in their development objectives while respecting and preserving their native culture, environment, and identity.
Assisting Jenny in this mission are the remarkable globetrotting couple, Andrew and Isabella Bates. Together, Jenny, Andrew, and Isabella share a deeply felt respect and affection for the Vorovoro community, as well as a strong belief in the principles of responsible travel and tourism.
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Bridge the Gap is special because it is based on a friendship, mutual respect, and a desire to create a sustainable legacy for future Fijian generations.
Our founder, Jenny Cahill, first became acquainted with the Chief of Mali and the Mali tribe in 2009. This relationship led to a close friendship, and eventually led to discussions on how working together could be beneficial to both parties. It made sense for the Mali tribe because fishing, the main source of income, was becoming less fruitful, so they wanted a means to diversify their livelihood that didn't negatively impact their island and way of life. It made sense for Jenny who wished to share her Fijian home with others so that they could live and laugh with the Fijians from whom she had learned so much. Eventually an official partnership was created in the form of Bridge the Gap.
Bridge the Gap is working on Vorovoro because the Mali tribe specifically invite partnership year after year. This emphasis on relationship separates Bridge The Gap from most other travel and development organizations.
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Every person on the Bridge the Gap team has been to the island before. Each of us came to the island to have an experience like the one you are interested in. After spending time on the island with the Fijians, we fell in love with Vorovoro and aim to continue to provide this opportunity to people while helping the Fijians sustain their livelihoods.
BTG staff have been carefully chosen to help “bridge the gap” between you and the Fijian culture because they understand and respect the ethos of the relationship that BTG has with Vorovoro and Mali. Additionally, each BTG staff member is CPR and First Aid certified.
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Bridge that Gap has been operating since 2012. Our founder and director, Jenny Cahill, has been working with the Vorovoro community on shared goals since 2009.
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Great! We are currently ready to add our next study abroad partnership to our program and we would love to talk to you! Contact director Jenny Cahill to arrange a chat!
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Bridge the Gap is a collaborative effort, and we welcome help from others who are also passionate about sustainable community development and using travel as a means to do good, meaningful work in the world. From behind the scenes work to helping to secure our next ethical partnerships, there are ways that you can get involved. Contact us for more information.
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You can look at the rest of our website, look at our social media, sign up for our newsletter, or contact us @ info@btgvorovoro.com if you have any questions!
