Voluntourism: Helpful or Harmful?
Is volunteering abroad on your bucket list? Then an organized trip that allows for the opportunity to volunteer, while also seeing the sights and exploring the destination may sound like a dream. There are various companies that offer these volunteering vacations, also known as voluntourism. It seems like a great concept for people who want to lend a helping hand while traveling, but it has some consequences that you should be aware of before embarking on your volunteer trip. If you are considering signing up for one of these trips during a summer break or post-graduation, here are some of the ways they could help or harm the international community.
Photo by Kaitlyn Vigeant
How is it helpful?
Many organizations have a long-term, positive impact on communities. Programs have the potential to benefit the economy by supporting local businesses, assisting the community in making sustainable moves and helping out with volunteer shortages.
The best voluntourism organizations promote sustainable tourism, which is all about educating tourists on how to protect the environment, respect local sites and the community, and contribute to the local economy. Practicing sustainable tourism helps preserve the wonders of the world, while also protecting cultures.
Volunteering abroad often encourages people to serve their communities after they return home from a trip. Travelers are also more likely to donate to nonprofits.
How is it harmful?
In some cases, volunteering tourists may take work from locals. When communities are offered volunteers to help out with their projects for free, it could potentially take the opportunity away from local workers who would benefit from the money.
Most of the time, voluntourism programs are very short-term. So, they do not offer any training or require volunteers to have skills or experience related to the volunteer work. This could lead to volunteers negatively impacting local projects.
If the organization and local community don’t work together to achieve sustainability, dependency could be created. For example, local businesses may depend on tourists to stay afloat.
Some organizations are simply dishonest about their intentions and use volunteers to make a profit.
How can you be a responsible voluntourist?
Do your research before choosing an organization. If you can, ask past volunteers about their experiences or find reviews online about an organization. Be sure to look into an organization's credentials and make sure it is ethical and effective. It is best to travel with one that directly partners with the local community and workers to help out on their projects.
Be cautious about taking pictures and posting on social media. Always ask for permission before you take pictures of the locals to respect their privacy. If you decide to post on social media about your trip, think critically about the potential messages you send to others. For example, posting a selfie with local children could uphold the stereotypes that children in low-income countries are helpless and people in high-income countries (i.e. you) are their saviors.
Immerse yourself in the culture of the place you travel to. Learn the language, try the food and respect the local customs. Spending time with the locals and hearing what they have to say about the world will widen your perspective and make you a better global citizen.
Take the lessons you learn abroad and bring them back to your own community. Spread your new wealth of knowledge about sustainability, community development and gratitude to your family and friends. Take the time to volunteer in your community and continue to make an impact.
If voluntourism is done the right way, it can be a powerful tool to assist communities in need of volunteers and give tourists meaningful and cultural experiences that will change the ways in which they view the world. It is up to tourists to choose the right organizations that are honest and effective. If you are still interested in a voluntourism trip, do not be afraid to sign up for one! Just make sure that you research and act responsibly abroad.
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