Our Story

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Give Back(packing)'s story stems from service learning opportunities, travel, and real life experiences that a person could never learn from a book, the Internet, and/or word of mouth.  The founder, Eli Harris, was working in Washington D.C. for a Fortune 300 company but could not see himself in the corporate world.  He then started traveling, reminiscing, and exploring unforeseen avenues.  While following his passion he learned his calling is to help others find their passion. 

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Eli had been involved with UGA HEROs, a student run organization at The University of Georgia.  The organization helped raise awareness and funds for children affected/infected by HIV/AIDS in the state of Georgia. He helped raise over $1,000,000 for the cause and currently serves as the UGA HEROs Alumni Board Chair.  He also went the non-traditional route and did a study abroad to Florence, Italy to study Italian Wines and Mediterranean Cuisine.  He began to think about his experiences and how he wished there was a program that would allow students to travel to multiple locations, help with service-learning projects, and empower the individual to follow their passion through tangible experiences. Give Back(packing) was born.

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He quit his job and took his life savings to create a program where participants can have a holistic experience by traveling to multiple, exciting locations to explore careers and develop themselves professionally, immerse themselves in the history and culture,  and continuously Giving Back.