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Should we volunteer? |
 Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 5:30 pm |
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| I've volunteered at various Animal Rescue places in the UK, and at Moholoholo is South Africa- and though I had a fantastic time I'm wandering the real implications of volunteering. Been reading various reports that claim of childrens educations being compromised by well meaning volunteers, or rescue centres running artificially- ie: they're sort of generating the injured animals being cared for rather than them being truly in need.
So, should we volunteer? What do you think of the ideas floating around that volunteers are just depriving local people of jobs? Is the work we'd do offsetting the Co2/etc of traveling? Is the money we're paying going to a good cause? Are there projects where we really are helping, or is it a ploy just to make people feel good? I want a project where I can feel I'm not just adding to the problems mentioned above! |
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| Back to top | Location: England | 177 Posts |
| Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 12:37 pm |
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| Hi Charli,
With so many options for volunteering overseas these days it is inevitable that some projects may not deliver the benefits to local communities that they promise. However, there are genuinely worthwhile voluntary projects out there which would benefit from your enthusiasm and experience, it just takes some research to find them. If you are thinking about volunteering again take a look at the Ethical Volunteering Guide - http://www.ethicalvolunteering.org - which sets out the types of questions that you should ask any organisation. This should help you find a project where your time is genuinely making a difference, one that is not simply set up to provide tourists with a volunteer opportunity and that money you spend will directly benefit the project. Some organisations (and flight agents) may include a Carbon-offsetting fee within their costs. If not then you can arrange this yourself if you wish. I hope this helps! Sarah |
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| Back to top | Location: United Kingdom | 36 Posts |
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