Volunteering as a Way to Travel - Research Paper Example

?When individuals go on vacation in different parts of the world to not only relax and have fun but also to contribute to charitable causes it can bedefined voluntourism. Over the last few years, this type of tourism has gained popularity among people, especially in developed countries. This is because majorities of the people who get involved in voluntourism programs tend to have a genuine need to help others in different parts of the world. Voluntourism varies a great deal, ranging from individuals doing low skill work, such as cleaning areas that are an ecological hazard, to helping people in other countries using their advanced medical skills in hospitals. Voluntourism comes from a desire to contribute something, however small, to the wellbeing of people who are otherwise disadvantaged. It gives those who get involved in it the opportunity to visit new countries, experience new environments, and most of all, to learn about the cultures of those people among whom they will be living. Voluntourism provides regular people the chance to visit places, which they would otherwise not normally visit, such as the slums in less developed countries. Some types of voluntourism involve people visiting places for the purpose of studying their environment, or being able to conduct other scientific studies. Those who participate in voluntourism projects have to provide a fee whose purpose is to cover the expenses during their travels in different parts of the world. Furthermore, the participants are required to participate in projects within the countries, which they visit, and this is usually based on their location and their personal interests. The people who originally went for voluntourism tended to have a direct connection to the causes in which they were going to volunteer. The organizations that facilitated their travel considered the duration of their travels to be of the short-term, volunteering in projects in the countries, which they were visiting. This shows that, at the beginning, voluntourism was not considered a vacation, but a means of helping people in less developed countries. Most of the organizations, which facilitated voluntourism at its beginnings, in the 1950s and 1960s, tended to be those with strong ties to developmental projects in the Third World. These often gave people the opportunity to contribute to these projects for short periods before going back to their home countries. The origins of what came to be voluntourism can be traced back to the United States Peace Corps, which created a path for volunteers (voluntourists) to travel all over the world (La Prensa San Diego, 2011). Later, the need to travel, while contributing something to the less advantaged communities in the world, became immensely popular among college students; this led to the development of exchange programs, which enabled students, to tour to and study in the countries of their preference. Not only did these students get to know more about these countries and enjoy themselves, some even volunteer in local projects (Wagner, 2009). Voluntourism also came to affect the scientific field because some scientific organization saw it as a way through which they could get the public interested in science. These organizations facilitated the bringing collectively of scientists and unpaid assistants in various locations around the world, which had scientific projects. This served a dual purpose as it provided free labor for scientists in the field, that is, the volunteers while it was also a source of additional funding to the projects, through the fees paid by the volunteers. Voluntourism picked up pace in the 1990s when companies in the travel industry developed means through which individuals could go on vacation, and while on it, also volunteer in various projects. These companies targeted those people who wanted to travel and had no prior experience with causes. The products provided by the travel industry attracted a large number of young people, who tend to be the most adventurous of all age groups (Hansen, 2009). Nonprofit organizations soon followed the suit seeing the success of the travel industry, and this created a path for increasing volunteers to get involved in voluntourism. Today, quite a large percentage of people have gotten involved in voluntourism, and because of the incredible experience, which most of these have had, many more are considering getting involved in it (Carpenter, 2007). The mass of those who get involved in voluntourism are learners in high school and university. These young people travel mainly because of the adventure, which they feel they will experience doing voluntary work in foreign countries. They also travel so that they can gain more familiarity in the world and improve their resumes. The main reason why these young people get involved in voluntourism is because they are able to have fun while helping others in different parts of the world improve their lives. Since the main aim of voluntourism is to target those people who wish to make a positive difference in the world, it has become particularly appealing to those who have a lot of time in their hands and little to do. These people often seek something to focus their energies on, and voluntourism comes in handy for them (Keen, 2008). They are not only able to enjoy their time wherever they are in the world, but they also do something positive for the locals. They are further able to augment their awareness of the problems in the world, and they do what they can to alleviate these problems. This becomes a fulfilling way of traveling because of the excellent objectives behind it. While many of those who go for voluntourism tend to believe that their travels will come to change the way they think on their return home, others, however, believe that their experiences will not change the way they perceive the world. In fact, they tend to look at their travels and volunteer work as part of their vacation. The latter tend to believe that voluntourism is a means through which they can increase their chances of getting good scholarships for college, or making their job applications successful (Ellis, 2007). They get involved in projects that voluntourism has to offer so that they can be able to go to foreign lands and through their experiences there gain the recognition of their peers back home. While the current economic recession has hurt vacations, it has also provided an opportunity for the growth of voluntourism. This is because excessive spending, which is a basic characteristic of vacations, has come to be looked down upon and is heavily criticized. Voluntourism has grown in popularity because of this as it enables individuals to go on vacations without having to feel guilty about their expenditure. These people have the excuse, to give to themselves and to those of their acquaintance, that they are spending their money for a good cause. Voluntourism has come to be seen as tourism with an enhanced value because those people, who get involved in the various volunteer projects they choose, end up having proper tourist experiences at the end of their vacations (Schaefers, 2008). Those families, which currently participate in voluntourism, do not feel guilty about their expenditure because while they volunteer in various projects, they also get to spend time together; hence, a stronger bond is formed on their return. It has become the trend for many individuals to opt for voluntourism because many of those who apply for it have never been participants, and they would like to experience it. While many voluntourism organizations declare that, their activities contribute to the wellbeing of the people, and the achievement of the development goals of developing countries, their level of success have to be assessed. The economies of the countries, where voluntourism takes place, have substantially benefitted from the added numbers coming into these countries. The voluntourists stay at the local hotels, buy souvenirs, and do whatever else that the locals do for fun (Manibo, 2008). These have increased the amount of foreign income that the local economies receive, hence, benefiting the host countries. There are times, however, when the activities of some voluntourists might contribute to the increase, instead of the reduction, of the problems being experienced. This tends to happen when people only volunteer for a short duration. The short duration of their voluntary work does not allow such individuals the opportunity to learn more about the local people. They fail to understand the root causes of the problems being experienced, instead, these short-term voluntourists end up keeping the negative point of view, which is common in their home countries. In such situations, voluntourism has a negative impact because it creates an environment where certain stereotypes are reinforced instead of being banished. It is, therefore, essential for those, who intend to go for voluntourism, to become well informed about the countries, in which they will be working so that such misunderstanding does not arise at any time during their travels (West, 2006). Some experts in voluntourism encourage the growth of this sector because they see it as a means through which more resources can be made available for development projects. However, it has been pointed out by others that the way voluntourism is marketed by those who operate tour businesses undermines the local communities to which these volunteers have been sent to help (Visser, 2004). It has been stated that while every need that the volunteers have is well catered for, the needs of the local people tend to be given second priority. What the local people need to improve their lives is never considered, and it is extremely rare for them to be asked. Instead, the ideas of the voluntourists are given prominence, something that works against the good of those who are supposed to gain from these ideas. When one comes to consider this aspect of voluntourism, one cannot help but notice that the local people tend to be used as accessories not only by the volunteers, but also by their compatriots. It has been noticed that in countries where this type of tourism is prominent, those who run orphanages tend to take the children to the streets of cities where voluntourists are likely to pass. This ensures that these children get the attention of the tourists who are likely to become potential donors and volunteers. Orphanages have become businesses individuals, who use their influence to create links with volunteer organizations. Through these organizations, they are able to secure a lot of funding from donors, as well as a constant number of volunteers for the orphanages (Arnoldy, 2010). These orphanages, despite having enough funding for improvement, are kept in environments, which are dilapidated so that more funding from donors can be provided. This not only undermines voluntourism, but it also shows how such a good thing has been exploited by others for personal gain. The plight of the children involved in such conditions is not considered, and this has turned voluntourism into just another business. One of the most prominent places where many voluntourists volunteer to work is at orphanages, many of which are run and funded privately. These orphanages tend to be run by individuals who use the donor funds they secure for other purposes. It has been found that quite a large percentage of the children who are considered orphans actually have one parent living (Carmichael, 2011). Therefore, it can be surmised that orphanages are being opened up in developing countries as an attraction for voluntourists. These voluntourists are often convinced to undertake volunteer work for these orphanages, and when they return home, they tend to be amongst the biggest fundraisers for the orphanages within which they spent their vacations. They are being duped into thinking that they are doing something to help orphans, while, in fact, their contributions to such orphanages does not help these children. Instead, they line the pockets of those who run the orphanages, who do not have to pay any wages to the volunteers. Such exploitative behavior on the part of these people gives voluntourism a false image. The conflict concerning voluntourism arises because of the fact that most of the travels made by persons are unsustainable. Those who choose to participate in voluntourism projects tend to be those who have some free time in their hands and want to help others. However, they should make sure that they consider the projects, which they wish to participate in, before getting involved in them. They have to consider whether such projects are beneficial to the community, which they wish to serve, as well as whether by getting involved in such projects they might be denying qualified local people jobs. Furthermore, they should ensure that their travels contribute entirely to the local economy, and to do this, they have to avoid bringing their own supplies with them. It is extremely vital that they consider only participating in projects which are much needed by the local people and avoid those which are not useful to the latter. They should ensure that the projects in which they are involved have adequate funding for completion. The local people have to be involved from the very beginning so that they can provide their opinions as well as be able to complete the project even after the voluntourists have left. Such attention to detail will surely make voluntourism a most successful thing to get involved in. Not only will people get to have fun in their travels, but they will also be able to help the people among whom they will have spent their time. In this way, the aims and objectives of voluntourism will be achieved, making possible the advancement of communities in developing countries. References Arnoldy, B. (2010). How mother Teresa’s work spurred growth of 'voluntourism'. The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved from http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2010/0826/How-Mother-Teresa-s-work-spurred-growth-of-voluntourism Carmichael, R. (2011). UNICEF concern prompts cambodian investigation of orphanages. (). Lanham, United States, Lanham: Federal Information & News Dispatch, Inc. Retrieved from http://www.voanews.com/content/unicef-concern-prompts-cambodian-investigation-of-orphanages-118493469/136916.html Carpenter, D. (2007). 'Voluntourism' becomes popular. Deseret News. Retrieved from http://www.deseretnews.com/article/660209539/Voluntourism-becomes-popular.html?pg=all Ellis, S. J. (2007). “Voluntourism – Pros, Cons, and Possibilities”. Energize Inc. Retrieved from http://www.energizeinc.com/hot/2007/07feb.html Hansen, E. (2009). “Airline ambassadors: Taking flight on a mission”. The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved from http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Travel/2009/0904/p25s05-litr.html Keen, C. (2008, Aug 13). Voluntourism' draws convention-goers wanting to lend a helping hand. University of Florida News. Retrieved from http://news.ufl.edu/2008/08/13/voluntourism/ Manibo, M. (2008).Voluntourism,' accountability, brand life identified as emerging trends for traveler itineraries. Al Bawaba. Retrieved from http://www.ameinfo.com/155621.html Peace corps commemorates 50 years of service. (2011, Apr 08). La Prensa San Diego. Retrieved from http://laprensa-sandiego.org/featured/peace-corps-commemorates-50-years-of-service/ Schaefers, A. (2008). 'VolunTourism' provides enriching experience. Honolulu Star - Bulletin. Retrieved from http://archives.starbulletin.com/2008/09/14/business/story01.html Visser, G. (2004). The developmental impacts of backpacker tourism in South Africa. GeoJournal, 60(3), 283-299. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/41147891?uid=3738336&uid=2&uid=4&sid=21101493362927 Wagner, K. (2009). Volunteer Vacations making getaways a way to help out. Denver Post. Retrieved from http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13570559 West, P. (2006, Sep 10). Adventure with a mission; she hadn't ridden a horse in years. so what was she doing galloping through the desert to deliver medical supplies in india? The Washington Post. Retrieved from http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1370667.html Read More