Want To Heal The World? Here's How To Do Voluntourism The Right Way

Since July 2019, Australia is being ravaged by the worst bushfires the country has seen in decades. Sumana Chatterjee, a media professional, decided to reach out in December. She wanted to donate money to an international charity that was rehabilitating local wildlife impacted by the fires. But when she got in touch with them, they asked if she would be willing to travel to New South Wales to help the locals.

¡°Some homes had been completely destroyed and they didn¡¯t have enough volunteers for on-ground operations. I took a month off from work to go there and help out,¡± she says.

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Volunteer tourism, or voluntourism as it is popularly called, began as a way for international travellers to experience local culture first-hand and give back to the community.

It was typically favoured by students taking a gap year before college, someone on a sabbatical or retirees looking to stay active. Today, it has evolved to emerge as a multi-billion dollar industry that caters to the ever-growing segment of conscientious and woke vacationers looking to make a difference in the neglected parts of the world.

Voluntourism can be really inspiring, fun and rewarding. Most travel brochures will tell you that. But what they fail to mention that unless you are the right fit for the role given to you, it can go horribly wrong. Sanjana Shah, a marketing executive based in Mumbai, took a trip to Tanzania in 2015. Her group¡¯s objective was to build a library for the local village she was assigned to. She and her teammates would lay bricks through the day. ¡°And every night, the men from the village would bring it down and rebuild that section again. We just didn¡¯t have the skills to build something. So our efforts had zero impact and the villagers benefited little from our presence,¡± she says.

So before you go off to change the world with voluntourism, keep a few things in mind.

Do your research.

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It may sound simple enough, but most people who opt to volunteer base their decision on information they get on slickly designed websites or recommendations from well-meaning friends. Instead, find a cause you are passionate about. Then research the country you¡¯re considering. Check if they have a requirement. See if the local weather, language, culture, etc. suit you. Once you have ticked these boxes, get in touch with an organisation that is looking for help. Ideally, your presence there should address a genuine need identified by the local community.

Know your objective.

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It is important to know who you are volunteering with and have a clear understanding of what you will be expected to do. Your ultimate goal is to make a positive contribution to the local community. So take some time to read up about the organisation you will be working with and understand their motives. Try to opt for reputable programmes run by well-known international organisations or go for those set up by the local government.

Use your skills wisely.

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One of the biggest mistakes voluntourists make is signing up for jobs that they are unqualified for. So more often than not, their contributions do not add up to much in the long run. Play to your strengths. There is a higher probability of making an impact by sharing your qualifications and professional experience. Volunteer with organisations that are looking for your specific skill set and help them achieve their objective. Also, before you sign up, ensure that you are not taking away a local¡¯s job. Remember that your objective is to do no further harm.

Be respectful.

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You are there to help. The focus has to be on accomplishing the common objective, not your personal goal. Let the locals take the lead and work towards bringing about the change they want to see. Your job as a volunteer is to stay in the background and provide support. It is also important to be a team player, and respect, listen to and learn from your local colleagues. ¡°It is all about building relationships, making friends and discovering a whole new world through their eyes,¡± says Vinayak Kamath, a lawyer who has helped with fundraising in Africa.

Stay a little longer.

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Most voluntourists are willing to give a week or two or, at most, a month to the cause they support. But that time is too short to understand the needs of the local community and gain their trust to help them achieve their goal. Volunteers who commit at least six months to a year have a greater chance of developing strong connections with the community. This increases your chances of having a better impact on long-term goals.

Don¡¯t try be a saviour.

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As a volunteer, your job is to empower the locals. It is pass on skills to them so that they can work towards their goal even after your duration of stay is completed. ¡°The local community needs to see hope and look to their own people for solutions. It cannot depend on foreigners who have swooped in to save them today, but won¡¯t be around tomorrow when a similar need arises,¡± says Aditi Salunkhe, an entrepreneur who has volunteered in Cambodia.

The author is a Mumbai-based freelancer.