VOLUNTOURISM: Everything You Need To Know

Voluntourism is a sort of tourism in which visitors volunteer for a charity or a non-profit organization. While the phrase is often applied to domestic travel, the vast bulk of voluntourism occurs abroad. Voluntourists typically travel with the express aim of volunteering in an organized manner for specific causes, but others simply include volunteer features in a standard vacation experience.

Every year, over 1.6 million people volunteer internationally, according to Save the Children, a charity that offers humanitarian relief to children all over the world. Voluntourism is the fastest-growing travel trend, with people paying up to $2,000 per week to participate. Overall, the industry is projected to be worth $2.6 billion per year.

Many voluntourism initiatives have a positive impact on their communities and meet a need that will benefit the destination long after the volunteers have gone. However, it is becoming obvious that some of these organizations may be using both their participants and their causes for financial gain.

What is Voluntourism?

Voluntourism is a combination of “volunteering” and “tourism.” Many volunteers travel to places of greatest need, whether for time, money, medical services, or training. Most organizations will provide volunteers with lodging (typically a homestay with a local family), food, and even assistance in organizing flight itineraries and visa needs or travel insurance.

Voluntourism appears to be the ideal blend of vacation and giving back, but it must be done correctly to have a positive impact. Good intentions will only get you so far; it’s all about keeping an open mind and conducting research to ensure that your good intentions create long-term benefits.

Voluntourism Opportunities

Now that you understand what volunteer tourism is, you may be asking how you can find volunteer opportunities all over the world because the world is vast and it is difficult to know where to begin.

A field of interest, like permaculture, language teaching, or child care, can be your choice, and you can search for volunteer opportunities there or in the area of your choice.

To arrange your stay, get in contact with the hosts. You should carefully assess what you can expect in return for your efforts and what the host wants from you.

Before applying, you can determine how many hours each day you will work, how many days off you will receive, and whether you will receive full board or only free housing.

Let’s have a look at some of the greatest volunteer tourism professions that have a positive social impact across the world.

#1. Volunteering in Latin America

Latin America appears to be a dangerous continent, especially for solitary female travelers. It could be true or not, but the best thing to do is make friends there, especially with the natives. And what better way to meet people and behave like a local than to volunteer there?

So, why not think about volunteering in Latin America? You may help the local community, make new acquaintances, and feel safer hanging out in this manner.

#2. Volunteering in North America

North America can be highly expensive, particularly in terms of lodging. If you want to visit this region of the world, the best thing you can do is volunteer there. You can earn free housing by working just a few hours per day.

Consider this host in Colorado City if you’re looking for an eco-program experience; they run a number of eco-initiatives and need help with them.

#3. Volunteering in Europe

In terms of things to do and see, Europe is a highly rich continent. It may be difficult to choose just one nation to visit in Europe, so long-term travel may be the ideal option. In this instance, volunteering can help you save a lot of money on lodging.

If you enjoy permaculture and eco-projects, Europe has a plethora of options.

What about helping on a farm in one of Europe’s most “eco” countries? I’m referring to the Netherlands, and you may look at this situation on a farm. They are searching for help with gardening and planting and will provide free lodging and a full board in exchange.

#4. Volunteering in Asia

Volunteering and assisting local people is one of the best ways to visit Asia. You can truly make a difference and have a positive social impact. Many individuals and locations need your assistance and are striving to have the least possible influence on our planet.

#5. Volunteering in Africa

Africa is a difficult continent to visit, but if you take on the task and open your heart to it, you will have the time of your life.

It is critical in Africa to assist local communities and make a positive impression on them. They desperately need assistance in a variety of areas. Volunteering in Africa is a dream for many visitors, so don’t pass up this opportunity.

Voluntourism Organizations

Volunteering in another country can be a rewarding experience. Not only do you get to travel, but you also get to work with important organizations and make a difference in your community. It can be difficult to explore this wide list of alternatives with so many volunteer organizations offering varied programs abroad. To assist you, we’ve compiled information about the greatest volunteer abroad organizations, their various programs, and how to effectively apply to them.

#1. Plan My Gap Year

Plan My Gap Year is one of the most well-established organizations, with some of the cheapest volunteer abroad programs available. PMGY’s high-impact programs can last from 1 to 40 weeks and include multiple travel, volunteer, and immersion opportunities in 15 countries across four continents. There is also the possibility of signing up for multi-destination programs.

#2. GVI

GVI, which was founded in 1998, is dedicated to running sustainable development and experiential education programs that are all connected with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

#3. Maximo Nivel

Maximo Nivel is a globally approved organization dedicated to providing high-quality study abroad programs in Latin America. Their principal places of operation are Peru, Guatemala, and Costa Rica, but they also offer online options!

#4. Love Volunteers

Love Volunteers is an agency that prides itself on its cost-effective and transparent volunteering options, offering assignments across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and America.

#5. Projects Abroad

With over 120,000 volunteers and 25 years of experience, Projects Abroad is an award-winning organization dedicated to responsible volunteer travel. This means that Projects Abroad is aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals but has also adopted its thorough monitoring and assessment mechanisms to guarantee that its initiatives are impactful, sustainable, and safe.

#6. Agape Volunteers

Agape Volunteers is a non-profit charity registered in the United Kingdom that provides volunteer opportunities for humanitarian projects around Africa. Whether you wish to teach, offer medical care, coach sports teams, or work in wildlife conservation, Agape Volunteers offers all-inclusive programs at affordable pricing.

#7. GoEco

GoEco is an ecotourism organization that offers cheap and ethical volunteer-abroad activities in over 40 countries. Their volunteer efforts are generally focused on delivering humanitarian relief in local communities and wildlife rehabilitation and ecological protection inside local parks and reserves.

#8. Fronteering

Fronteering provides volunteer opportunities across Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, and America for animals, indigenous people, the environment, sustainability, and local communities.

#9. Via Volunteers

Via Volunteers is dedicated to delivering ethical volunteer opportunities in South Africa. You can apply for short-term positions, combine projects for a longer stay, or take a full gap year in childcare and community projects or wildlife and conservation.

#10. International Volunteer Headquarters

International Volunteer HQ offers the world’s broadest choice of fully hosted volunteering abroad programs, with 300+ projects taking place in over 50 places.

Examples of Voluntourism

On the surface, volunteering in another nation may appear to be an ideal way to combine your desire to do good with the opportunity to learn about a different culture. This form of volunteerism, also known as voluntourism, may appear to be beneficial in general, but there are also cases where voluntourism can be detrimental to local communities.

#1. Orbis Expeditions, Malawi

Malawi-focused Orbis Expeditions flips typical voluntourism on its head by utilizing traveler expertise to train local entrepreneurs. Kate Webb, the founder of Orbis Expeditions, came up with the idea after seeing a dearth of assistance for small and medium-sized businesses in Malawi.

#2. Relief Riders International, Mongolia

For more than 15 years, Relief Riders International has led the charge in purpose-driven travel, providing free medical, educational, sanitary, and nutritional assistance to over 25,000 patients in remote areas of India, Ecuador, and Turkey.

#3. Biosphere Expeditions, Armenia

On a Biosphere Expedition citizen-science trip, anyone with a healthy sense of adventure can help secure some of the world’s most endangered (and often epic) ecosystems.

#4. Sumba Hospitality Foundation, Indonesia

Sumba Island, with its desolate surf breaks, soaring waterfalls, and cerulean lagoons, attracts fewer visitors than its neighbors, yet land speculators are flocking in thick and fast.

#5. SEED, Madagascar

According to Conservation International, Madagascar is one of just 17 regions on the planet that are considered ‘megadiverse,’ with 80 percent of its unusual and magnificent flora and wildlife found nowhere else.

#6. Singita Community Culinary School, Tanzania

Singita offers more meaningful experiences than traditional community visits for people who want to give back while on a completely sumptuous safari trip.

#7. Penda Photo Tours, South Africa

Without a hint of voyeurism, Penda’s Photography Volunteer Program offers a view into Cape Town’s colorful and vibrant melting pot of cultures and livelihoods.

#8. Domino Volunteers, Colombia

Domino Volunteers combines volunteer abilities with the needs of local charities, working with over 30 carefully selected foundations and social entrepreneurs around vibrant Cartagena, from empowering children through sports to sustainable farming.

#9. The European Nature Trust, Italy

The forested valleys of Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise National Park, located about two hours east of Rome in Italy’s wild heart, are home to around 60 severely endangered Marsican brown bears.

Types of Voluntourism

There are hundreds of volunteer programs available that provide legal ways to contribute to poverty alleviation, environmental issues, social justice, and other causes.

#1. Teaching

One of the most common types of voluntourism can include teaching English or establishing educational resources in underserved communities.

#2. Child Care

Working in orphanages or socializing with children to improve their well-being and development, for example, Working with impoverished youth and refugees seeking temporary asylum is also a priority.

#3. Medical Care

Medical professionals might travel to underserved regions to provide vaccines or educate people about diseases and how to prevent them.

#4. Conservation

Projects can include both animal conservation and environmental conservation, with volunteers working at an animal sanctuary or conducting field research, such as tracking native species. Participants may also help sustain local ecosystems by working on reforestation initiatives or trail maintenance.

#5. Community Support

Constructing houses, schools, libraries, and other forms of infrastructure. This can also entail empowering women or striving to decrease socioeconomic disparities within a community.

Is Voluntourism Good or Bad?

The impact on the community is one of the most well-known advantages of volunteering. Volunteering allows you to connect with your community and help it improve. Even minor chores can make a significant difference in the lives of people, animals, and organizations in need.

How Long Is Voluntourism?

There isn’t enough time. Volunteer vacations typically span a few days to a few weeks. Volunteers miss out on opportunities to learn more about the culture of the country they’re visiting since they spend the majority of their time working.

What Is Voluntourism and Ecotourism?

Ecotourism is defined as visiting a location, resort, or mode of transportation that specializes in minimizing carbon footprints and is aimed at benefiting the environment. Voluntourism, on the other hand, is when you volunteer in the community you are visiting. Learn more about ecotourism here.

What Is the Problem with Voluntourism?

Voluntourism can hurt communities. Short-term volunteers may lack cultural knowledge and language abilities, making it difficult to communicate with community members and develop meaningful relationships. Volunteers and locals may feel isolated and distrusted as a result of this.

Summary

If you want to volunteer overseas, there is no shortage of volunteer places offering opportunities for devoted and enthusiastic people ready to work for the well-being of others. Different countries specialize in different types of volunteer work. Perhaps having certain abilities or willingness naturally draws you to a specific region. People and countries have always embraced volunteer tourism since it is all about traveling for people, by people, and for the good of people.