The
Company
Serendipity Traveler’s mission is to enhance the lives of women around the world by providing thoughtful and enriching travel experiences. We offer you unmatched personal service by taking small groups of women travelers to places of great natural beauty and culture. Our itineraries afford the luxury of a tailor made journey with careful attention to each detail. Women travel together in comfort and safety to explore, discover, and experience our magnificent world.
The Founder
Peggy R. Coonley is the founder and President of Serendipity Traveler. Her spirit for life and zest for exploration, along with that of her husband and three children, are ever present in their family travels. Volunteer work in Costa Rica and Thailand, academic studies in China, cruising in the British Virgin Islands, numerous trips throughout North America and Europe, and traveling throughout New Zealand demonstrate this collective passion.
As an entrepreneur, Ms. Coonley's life has been immersed in the arts. She founded a series of Fine American Craft galleries in Boston, Massachusetts, Palo Alto, and Carmel, California. A lifetime of travel and a passion for people along with two years of research, planning, and collaboration have led Ms. Coonley to launch Serendipity Traveler - a company providing inspired travel for women. Ms. Coonley's background in the arts is ever present in her choices of exquisite destinations, authenticity, and thoughtful attention to details.
Ms. Coonley is an active community volunteer. She is a founding member of the Humor Us Healers at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and serves on the Art for Kool Kids committee at Children’s Hospital also in Boston. Along with travel, Peggy’s interests include the arts, gardening, reading, kayaking, and walks by the sea.
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Travel Philanthropy
In my words “Travel Philanthropy” is quite simply described as people helping people around the world. Travelers everywhere can make a difference in the well being of the people in countries they are visiting. Choosing to share resources with locals, learning about native ways, cultures, and needs affords a rich experience for the traveler. Furthermore, deciding to help lend a hand to a community initiative provides a lasting impact for everyone.Some folks term traveler’s philanthropy as a new source of international aid. In essence it is caring about those we meet along the road. We all learned to share in kindergarten at which time we were taught to give the “bigger half”. Travelers today want to experience the places they visit on a local level and travel philanthropy can help to make that happen.
Serendipity Traveler has initiated support for a community project on the island of Dominica. The project is called The House of Hope. Please read their story for more details and call me if you wish to become involved.
House of Hope Project
Before visiting the island of Dominica, I had decided to integrate travel philanthropy into Serendipity Traveler’s mission and researched what needs myself, and perhaps the women traveling with me, might explore. It was not long before I learned of The House of Hope story in the nearby tiny village of Delicies and soon thereafter arranged an optional morning visit for Serendipity Travelers to meet the staff and residents of this community initiative. The House of Hope in Dominica is a home that provides twenty four hour loving care for persons with severe physical and mental disabilities. The impetus for beginning the House of Hope arose when two severely challenged sisters, in their early thirties, who had been cared for by their loving mother, were left orphaned when their elderly mother died. The villagers felt the need to protect and care for these girls and went to the government, the wider community, and media in an effort to educate the public to the need that existed. In January of 2005 the doors opened in a small, rented building to care for these women. Since then, a younger child with severe cerebral palsy is also being cared for. The heart and spirit of this humble place is inspiring. The women travelers who visited were all moved by the dedication and commitment of the caregivers and the hope that is alive. The House of Hope has a dream to build a twelve room facility and needs much financial support to realize this vision. The Director is Mr. Heskeith Alexander, who volunteers his time. In keeping with my commitment to travel philanthropy I presented a small check and tears of thankfulness trickled down Mr. Alexander’s weathered face. Before leaving the island, other women also offered resources to help with this project. We all left Dominica as travelers having been touched by the generosity and warmth of the islanders who have little and yet their spirits are vibrant and hopeful. The days on Dominica were woven into a rich tapestry of explorations, laughter, reflections and learning while snorkeling, hiking, touring, and renewing our bodies, minds, and spirits.
On Chirstmas Eve, 2007, I learned that the House of Hope has broken ground for their new building. When visiting the island in November 2007, I met again with Heskeith Alexander and two of the Board Members. Before going to the existing humble facility, we met at the land that has been appropriated for the new orphanage. I am hopeful Serendipity Traveler can inspire others to support this worthwhile project.
Update 2008 The House of Hope is nearing completion and has an ongoing wish list for equipment and continuing needs.
Update 2009
This spring The House of Hope is planning to transisiton residents into the new 12 bed facility. There are many miles to go with this project and it is amazing to me how the persistent spirit of the locals in Dominica. The unitiring efforts of especially the villagers in Delicies are inspiring. The need for support continues and will be ongoing.
Update December 2009
I will visit The House of Hope this winter and any women traveling with me are welcome to come along and see the ongoing and heartfelt work being done.
If you would like to talk with me specifically about The House of Hope project or join me on a trip to Dominica please call me at 978 879-7464.
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