expectations

What to Look Out For: Potential VolunTouring Problems

Kathy Mcphail in Uganda

Image source: Buyanet.ca

As we’ve discussed on the blog over the past few weeks, voluntouring is a potentially life-changing experience for both the volunteer and the people she helps. It is a real, accessible option for people with full lives, families, and tight budgets. The voluntour opportunities out there are as varied as the people of the world. Of course, with such an overwhelming number of voluntour organizations in operation, some of them are bound to be better than others. Here are some important things to look for when planning your voluntour.

Choosing the Right VolunTour for You

Volunteer in Africa Building a House

Image source: Yourtravelchoice.org

Deciding to go on a voluntour is a big decision. You’re giving your time—time that may be in short supply if you’ve got a full-time job or a family (or both)—but you know the experience you have will be worth every second you put into it. Unfortunately, for some people, voluntours end up being negative experiences. Often this is because their expectations didn’t match up with the reality of their trip, or because the nature of the work they were asked to do was beyond their physical or emotional abilities. Or sometimes the voluntour organization is just in it for the money (check back for tomorrow’s post on how to evaluate voluntour companies). Making sure you have a positive experience starts with some deep thinking about where you want to be and what you want to do. It also requires you to be realistic about your individual strengths and weaknesses.