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The Year Out Group - a bit of a shambles? |
 Posted: Thu Oct 8, 2009 4:32 pm |
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| After having read this article -
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/6065538/The-pitfalls-of-gap-volunteering.html it makes you wonder if following the advice of making sure you book through a reputable organisation that is part of The Year Out Group rather misguided. I thought they had a plethora of principles and morals members had to live up to. Clearly not if Real Gap can get away with this. |
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| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 1 Posts |
| Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 11:48 am |
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| Hi there!
I have never understood the need to pay such huge amounts of money to volunteer, I have volunteered a few times now just by going somewhere and seeing a situation in which I could help and staying. I am currently coordinating a volunteer programme in South Africa based in a backpackers. Short term volunteers pay reduced accommodation and long term volunteers help out in the backpackers for free accommodation while volunteering. This means that any money you would have spent on a costly volunteer programme can be invested directly by you while you are there in whatever area you feel it is best spent! I spent 6 amazing months teaching English and working with the local community and plan to spend another year there now. If anyone is interested in this type of experience check out www.tubenaxe.co.za or e-mail me on stormsriverproject@gmail.com! I wish you all luck finding an experience in which you find as uplifting as mine has been! Neasa |
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| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 4 Posts |
| Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 12:55 pm |
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| Yes I agree - these companies just exploit the good will of volunteering and turn it into a money making corporative thing which just makes the whole thing jaded.
I recommend something like this which I did in Thailand. Its 100% non profit and although advertised with REAL GAP and a load of others can be booked directly with the NGO "AFECT - THE ASSOCIATION FOR AKHA EDUCATION AND CULTURE IN THAILAND - is the oldest HILL TRIBE organization in Thailand and has been protecting HILL TRIBE culture for 28 years. Long term Volunteer placements - some of the best in Thailand and RAINFOREST ADVENTURE. Working in association with UNESCO and UNITED NATIONS." http://www.akhaasia.org NGO's site is http://www.akhathai.org |
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| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 7 Posts |
| Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:50 am |
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| That story is well bad. What a waste of money as well. | |
| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 1889 Posts |
| Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 11:10 am |
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| I think it's fairly well documented that these companies charge the earth and give nothing back.
If you're daft enough to not do your homework and blindly hand a company that kind of money, then you deserve to be relieved of it. There are thousands of worthy causes out there who are begging for help. BUT, whilst there are people out there who are just too lazy to research things themselves and communicate with these places directly, then these gap companies are going to continue taking their money. I understand that people say "oh I like the security of knowing I'm going with a proper company"... Well, if I'm honest, my immediate reaction to that is "bollocks to you". You're planning to head into the heart of South America to work with underprivileged kids or animals or whatever... what exactly do you expect to find when you get there? I think these people need to ask themselves if they're actually going out there to do some good, or just to plump up their CV... If it's the latter, then just book yourself a holiday to Benidorm for two months and donate the surplus cash to the charity. You're not helping anyone by actually being there yourself. |
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| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 5217 Posts |
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