Buying the feeling of doing good - 'voluntourism' is growing

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This was published 9 years ago

Buying the feeling of doing good - 'voluntourism' is growing

By Eliza Edwards
Updated
Caring for children in orphanages or building classrooms has become a rite of passage for thousands of young people.

Caring for children in orphanages or building classrooms has become a rite of passage for thousands of young people.Credit: Global Volunteer Network

Caring for children in Cambodian orphanages or building classrooms in South Africa has become a rite of passage for thousands of young people, but critics argue volunteering is doing more harm than good to the communities they seek to help.

Volunteer tourism, or "voluntourism" is one of the fastest-growing areas of the tourism industry, and is now worth more than $2.6 billion worldwide.

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Usually, travellers spend one or two weeks working in a developing community, in

Nichole Georgeou, associate fellow of the Institute of Social Justice at the Australian Catholic University, points out that young people are taking time off from their studies to "do good", while students in their gap years are looking for an "ethical schoolies".

But Dr Georgeou is critical of a tourism experience where participants "purchase the feeling of doing good".

"Young people are going in, digging a ditch or teaching in a school, when they don't have an understanding of the complex issues that lead to poverty and underdevelopment," she said.

"The ethical dilemma of voluntourism is the idea that it profits from poverty in the first place."

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At the core of voluntourism are noble, altruistic intentions. Young people are enticed by the opportunity to "give back" while immersing themselves in an exotic culture.

The industry is attracting about 1.6 million volunteers worldwide every year.

Australian volunteer organisation Antipodeans Abroad charges up to $7000 for some of its projects, including an eight-week program in which participants live in a game reserve in South Africa and assist with behavioural research of elephants, rhinoceros and lions.

Antipodeans Abroad chief executive Lachlan Bunn said the quality of the programs delivered is a reflection of the prices.

"Our programs start from $2800 and the price depends on the country, the length of the program … the cost of develping and running the project, accommodation, meals, transport and local staffing support," he said.

"Projects are thoroughly researched … so they address a real community need in a sustainable way. At the same time, they provide students with an opportunity to grow and learn about themselves as they navigate everyday situations that are worlds apart from their lives back home."

Dr Georgeou said young people wanting to volunteer abroad need to think about what they are bringing to the experience, and what they are getting out of it.

"People need to think critically about why we have poverty in the first place … and need to question where their donations are going," she said.

"Think: 'what am I coming away with? A better cross-cultural understanding or a tourism experience where I bought the feeling of doing good?'

"My advice is just travel and speak to people. You don't have to do good; you don't have to get your hands dirty."

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