Volunteer Travel

Charity: Water

Charity: Water Poster - 4,500 Children Will Die Today From Water-Related Illnesses

Image source: Provoc.net

Water is perhaps our most essential resource. It comprises 60% of the human body, 70% of the human brain. Worldwide, a billion people lack access to clean water and yet, in the US, we waste it watering our suburban lawns, taking luxurious baths, letting it run when we brush our teeth, or filling our swimming pools. We waste more resources when we bottle water and pay exorbitant amounts of money for the privilege of drinking it. Industrially, we use obscene amounts of water to cool waste, pressure-wash equipment, or filter materials. According to Water.org, an American taking a five-minute shower uses more water than the average person in a developing country slum uses for an entire day. Clearly, this is unsustainable, irresponsible, and dangerous. A billion is a difficult number to conceptualize: try one in nine.

Globe Aware: Adventures in Service

A Globe Aware Initiative in Ghana

Image source: Jessieonajourney.com

I always wonder how much volunteer/voluntour organizations listen to their volunteers. It seems like a no-brainer—the volunteers are on the ground doing the job, they’re a voluntour organization’s bread and butter—and yet, in many cases considering the opinions of the volunteers is an afterthought. Voluntour organizations have a lot to think about. They’re managing projects in communities where local people may or may not agree with their methods. They’re fundraising, politicking, and promoting their companies. Still, at the heart of every good volunteer organization are the volunteers themselves.

Groupon Grassroots: Deals for Voluntouring

A Map of Groupon Grassroots' Earth Day Projects, Nationwide

Image source: Grassroots.groupon.com

You may be familiar with Groupon, the online company that offers daily local deals to consumers. It’s a great service. For example, mine was a tale of woe. I’ve always wanted to go up in a hot air balloon but at $375 dollars, I couldn’t justify the expense. I never thought I’d get up there, soaring above the tree tops. Enter: Groupon. I’ve used it for all sorts of purchases, from bed sheets to Beach Boys tickets, and I’m not alone. Groupon partners with businesses to offer outstandingly deep discounts on valuable goods and services. Until yesterday, that’s all I knew about the company. As it happens, Groupon has dipped its inexpensive and convenient foot into the world of voluntouring, to rave reviews.

The Great Projects: Holding Tourism to a Higher Standard

Two Protected Orangutans in Malaysia

Image source: Thegreatprojects.com

It’s interesting how we compartmentalize our minds. We expect non-profit organizations to be responsible, eco friendly, sustainable, and respectful of local customs and regulations. We expect it because they are designed without a profit-incentive. Their motives are supposed to be 100% pure—based on nothing but altruistic humanitarianism or environmentalism. Of course, this is extremely simplistic, nothing is ever 100% anything, but this is the stereotype. When it comes to for-profit organizations, we lower our expectations considerably. We don’t expect the same level of consideration because we recognize the equation has a business side. Why is this? Shouldn’t we be more concerned when an organization has a profit incentive?

Roadmonkey Adventure Philanthropy: Our Inspiration

Roadmonkey Adventure Philanthropy

Image source: Roadmonkey.net

Once upon a time, not so very long ago, Steve and Joanie Wynn traveled to Tanzania. They were there to make a documentary about Roadmonkey Adventure Philanthropy, an organization working to refurbish classrooms at the Bibi Jann School for AIDS orphans. The Wynns were already world travelers, but this trip was special. It showed them the power of sweat equity to make a positive difference, and to connect people to each other in meaningful ways. The Wynns wanted to do more to help so they founded this site, Journeys For Good, to spread the message of volunteer travel, and to help inspire others.