Travel, in all its forms, has always been a quest for discovery. But for some, like Bartolomé de las Casas, travelling has become a mission of justice. His story, though deeply rooted in colonial times, still resonates today, inspiring humanitarian travel and missions abroad through humanitarian travel NGOs and various organisations dedicated to the protection of human rights.

Today, when we think of humanitarian travel, images of volunteers building schools in Africa or providing healthcare in Asia spring to mind. But few people realise that the idea of combining travel and humanitarianism goes back several centuries, and one of the pioneers of this form of commitment abroad was a man with an unshakeable faith in humanity: Bartolomé de las Casas.

Encountering Injustice: A Man Transformed

The story of Bartolomé de las Casas begins like that of many other 16th-century Spanish colonists. Born in 1484 in Seville, Spain, he set off for the New World in search of fame and fortune. Like many at the time, he saw an opportunity to exploit the abundant resources and vast lands of America, and he followed the standard practices of the time: exploiting the natives.

However, what he observed on his voyage to America profoundly changed his perception of the world. In 1514, as a priest in Hispaniola (now Haiti and the Dominican Republic), Bartolomé witnessed the brutal treatment inflicted on the indigenous peoples by the Spanish colonists. The atrocities were countless: forced labour, torture, extermination of tribes. The indigenous populations, reduced to slavery, were decimated by violence and diseases imported from Europe.

This moment became a turning point for Bartolomé de las Casas. He could no longer ignore the human suffering around him. His conscience was shaken, calling him to action. From a simple colonist in search of wealth, he became an ardent defender of the rights of the indigenous people, and embarked on a mission that would forever leave its mark on history.

The Birth of a Humanitarian Journey

Bartolomé de las Casas became one of the first single-handed humanitarian travel organisations, devoting the rest of his life to pleading for the dignity of the indigenous peoples and putting an end to their exploitation. He realised that his role went beyond mere observation: he had to take action.

In 1515, he returned to Spain to plead the cause of the natives at the royal court. He took the radical decision to give up his property and slaves, preaching a clear message: colonisation must not be at the cost of human lives. Over the years, he undertook numerous trips abroad, crossing the Atlantic Ocean several times to defend the cause of the natives before the powerful. It was a veritable humanitarian crusade that he led, long before the very idea of humanitarian travel or NGO humanitarian travel existed.

A Fight for Human Rights: The Impact of Bartolomé de las Casas

As a priest, Bartolomé de las Casas used his faith and his position to openly criticise the colonial system. His writings, the most famous of which is "A Brief Account of the Destruction of the Indies", detail the atrocities committed by the colonists and denounce the systematic violence against the natives. This text, a cry from the heart, aroused indignation throughout Europe and began to change attitudes.

He advocated a model of peaceful colonisation, in which relations between Europeans and indigenous peoples were based on respect and dialogue, rather than violence and exploitation. He proposed reforms such as the abolition of indigenous slavery and the creation of cultural missions to educate and protect local populations.

These efforts put him in direct opposition to many Spanish colonists, who saw him as a threat to their wealth and power. But Bartolomé remained adamant. He sought neither fame nor fortune, but profound and lasting justice. Every journey he made to America was marked by the same unshakeable commitment: to save lives, defend the oppressed and reform an unjust system.

Art, Culture and Travel: Pillars of his Humanitarianism

Bartolomé de las Casas also understood the importance of culture in his struggle. In addition to providing humanitarian aid, he sought to promote and preserve the arts and culture of the indigenous peoples. Unlike most colonists, who saw these cultures as inferior, Bartolomé saw them as invaluable assets to be protected.

His work was not limited to saving lives, but also to preserving the traditions, languages and customs of the indigenous people. In this, he prefigured the humanitarian travel NGOs that today combine humanitarian work with cultural and educational projects in the countries where they operate. For him, respect for local cultures was as important as the protection of human rights. In his view, a humanitarian trip should be as much an act of support as an act of discovery and respect for others.

The legacy of Bartolomé de las Casas

Today, humanitarian travel organisations and humanitarian travel NGOs are striving to follow this legacy. Whether in Latin America, Africa or Asia, many volunteers go on humanitarian trips to continue the work of defending human rights and protecting local cultures, often inspired by pioneers such as Bartolomé de las Casas.

It's fascinating to think that centuries later, his struggle still resonates. Modern humanitarian travel NGOs seek to have a similar impact: working hand in hand with local communities, protecting the most vulnerable and supporting the preservation of the environment and cultures. These values, espoused by Bartolomé, are at the heart of humanitarian travel today.

A History that Inspires the Present

The story of Bartolomé de las Casas is a moving one, not only for his personal courage, but for the humanity he embodies. At a time when few cared about the rights of indigenous peoples, he raised his voice, risking his life and reputation to defend those who could not defend themselves. Every foreign trip he undertook was an act of bravery, a humanitarian journey long before the term was coined.

Recalling the life of this man reminds us that humanitarianism is not just about providing care or building infrastructure. It is also a profound commitment to human dignity, the preservation of cultures and the protection of nature. It is an act of love and solidarity with those who are often forgotten.

Human Trip wants to share the message of Bartolomé de las Casas' story with the whole world.

A Call to Action

The story of Bartolomé de las Casas reminds us that each of us can, in our own way, make a difference. Today's humanitarian travel organisations and NGOs offer unique opportunities to get involved in projects abroad. Whether through missions in Latin America, cultural programmes in Asia or environmental projects in Africa, every humanitarian trip is a chance to perpetuate this legacy of love and justice.

Travelling is no longer just about discovering new landscapes, it's about touching lives, leaving a positive mark and building a fairer future for all.

Like Bartolomé, we are offering you the opportunity to change history, but above all to be part of it, by working hand in hand with Human Trip to involve areas that are still in the process of developing our resources.

Click on this link to find out more