How Philanthropic Travelers Can Avoid the Unscrupulous Side of Volunteering Abroad
It’s no wonder the world of “voluntourism” has become a $3 billion a year industry. Volunteers get to travel internationally and out of pocket costs are nominal since volunteers are essentially trading the experience for their skills. And, of course, there is the good feeling side of helping make the world a better place.
Voluntourism Is On the Rise—But What Does It Actually Mean to Give Back on Vacation?
There’s a fine line between feeling like you’re helping others and actually doing so.
Voluntourism: new book explores how volunteer trips harm rather than help
‘Don’t do as we did,’ says Pippa Biddle, who highlights the colonial structure of industry where unqualified western tourists pay to volunteer abroad.
As travel opens up again, aid voluntourism needs to get real
‘There is little incentive to provoke a privileged young person to stop and think a little more – to have them question whether their presence is valuable in a foreign place.’
Volunteering, a No-Assumptions Approach
We are all guilty of assuming that a certain community needs a certain kind of help. We look at homeless people and assume that we need to build them homes, when all they want might be mental health support or a stable job. So, what is the no-assumptions approach you ask?
Nepal registers 707 new coronavirus cases
Nepal on Thursday recorded 707 new coronavirus cases, taking the country’s COVID-19 tally close to 30,000, a senior health ministry official said.
Chris Selley: This toxic voluntourism is not how to change the world
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took time out of his Thursday afternoon to explain to finance committee members just how excellent the plan to have WE Charity administer the Canada Student Service Grant program was.
Who does ‘voluntourism’ actually help? Trips run by WE and other charities draw skepticism
Part of WE Charity’s overseas trips allow people from North America to “step into the shoes of Maasai warriors” in Kenya, or “experience a shamanic ceremony and get hands-on weapons training” in Ecuador. The trips, offered through WE’s for-profit arm ME to WE, cost over US $4,000.
UPDATE: Nepal reports 144 new coronavirus cases
Nepal has reported 144 new cases of coronavirus, taking the total infections to 16,945 in the country, the health ministry said on Monday.
One more death, 476 new infections reported in Nepal as national tally climbs to 13,248
One more death related to Covid-19 and 476 new infections has been reported in Nepal on Monday, taking the national case tally to 13,248.
The dark side of voluntourism selfies
Wanting to share experiences of volunteering abroad is perfectly normal, but what are the consequences of our photos other than virtual likes?
The Dangers Of The Voluntourism Industry
I have always been a firm believer that you should help others where you can give. Giving and volunteering are and have always been key ways to do this. But can volunteering be negative in societies?