Voluntourism | Helping Without Hurting

WHAT IS VOLUNTOURISM?

Voluntourism is the mix of volunteering and tourism. People travel to foreign (usually less developed) countries and volunteer for charitable causes. Projects often include teaching English abroad, wildlife conservation and building schools. Voluntourists have the opportunity to help the local community whilst exploring new places around the world. Projects are often arranged by not-for-profit organisations or travel companies specialising in responsible tourism. 

But whilst this sounds great, voluntourism has many problems. Like tourists, volunteers can harm the places they visit. Those looking to volunteer need to be aware of the pros and cons.

THE BENEFITS

Theoretically, volunteering allows you to make a meaningful difference and directly help those in need. You get to live and work alongside locals, learning about their traditions and lifestyles. This immersive experience is often more enriching and informative than typical tourism, where travellers usually move through places quickly and stick to the beaten path.

There are also specific skills to learn. Whether teaching a language or building a school, there is a lot of expertise to gain. These projects often last for longer periods, giving you time to immerse yourself and learn some of the local language.

Voluntourism is also great for personal growth. Helping others and experiencing different cultures can be a humbling experience, leading to greater global awareness and personal development.

THE NEGATIVES

While voluntourism promises these many benefits, the reality is often more complicated. The industry has become a business, attracting many tourists and generating large amounts of money. Volunteers usually pay the organisation or travel agency to work in these places, meaning they are consumers the companies want to please. As a result, many projects focus on making the volunteers feel helpful rather than creating sustainable, long-term solutions for the community.

Volunteers often know little about the local country/area they are working in. There is a risk of unintentionally imposing values and beliefs that could be insensitive to and disrupt local cultures and traditions. This lack of awareness also applies to the tasks that the volunteers have come to do. Whilst learning a new skill is always great, the lack of knowledge and often inadequate training risks the work being unfinished, ineffective, or harmful. 

Corruption and harmful practices are unfortunately not uncommon in the voluntourism industry. Some organisations mismanage funds, prioritise profit over genuine help, or fail to engage with the local community. This can lead to projects that are not sustainable or beneficial in the long term. Additionally, volunteers often take local jobs, such as building and teaching, depriving communities of employment opportunities.

Finally, the dynamic of often unskilled volunteers from developed countries coming to ‘help’ those in need carries a colonial undertone. This power imbalance can reinforce stereotypes and dependencies instead of fostering real empowerment and development.

CAMBODIA’S ORPHAN BUSINESS

An infamous example of voluntourism gone wrong is

Cambodia’s Orphan Business. Investigators discovered that orphanages in Cambodia were exploiting children. In some cases, the children were not orphans but were taken from their families under the guise of education and contact with Westerners. These children were then kept in poor condition to attract volunteers who felt like they were helping by offering their time and care. Voluntourists can unwillingly fuel this kind of organisation, so it is important to research your organisation and choose wisely where you are going.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

The most important thing to do before doing one of these trips is research. Make sure the organisations are registered and focus on sustainable and ethical practices. It is always good to see how they interact with the local community around them. Researching the country and area that you are planning to go to ahead of time, is also very important. Try to choose projects that match your skill set. This means that you can offer more meaningful help and contribute right away. 

It is also better to stay somewhere for a longer period so that you can make more significant, sustainable contributions. You will also get to know the area and the locals better, maybe learn the local language and have a more immersive experience. Whilst you are there, make sure to support the local economy and stay in locally-owned accommodation, eat at local restaurants and buy from local markets. 

Remember that you can also donate to organisations rather than volunteering, spending the money that you would have spent on flights and accommodation to the cause that you care about.

VOLUNTEERING ORGANISATIONS

Finding ethical volunteering opportunities can be difficult. We have made a list of organisations that make the search easier for you.  

GoEco – Offers a range of ethical volunteer programs worldwide. They are designed to help you avoid volunteering scams, focus on sustainability, and have a genuine community experience. Choose from 150 programs in over 40 countries. 

Maximo Nivel – Provides various volunteer opportunities in Latin America, ensuring projects are beneficial and supportive to local communities. Focusing on Costa Rica, Guatemala and Peru, Maximo Nivel emphasises the importance of immersing yourself in the local culture and changing lives. 

African Impact – Specialises in impactful volunteer and internship programs across Africa. Their projects are grown hand-in-hand with the local communities and promote sustainable development with lasting and meaningful contributions.

Research these organisations to find the best fit for your skills and interests, ensuring your efforts make a positive and lasting impact.

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