Changing the World Responsibly
Voluntourist (noun): a traveller who works without pay, usually for a charity, in a country they are visiting
With attention recently drawn to the negative aspects of what is known as ‘voluntourism’, it is important that we think about what it means to be responsible volunteers when seeking to make this world a better place.
Despite the best intentions, volunteering – and particularly abroad – can sometimes cause unintended harm to the very people it is supposed to help. Of course, none of us sets out to cause harm – far from it! But it can easily happen, especially if we volunteer in unfamiliar settings working with vulnerable communities where special qualifications are called for – like working with children in an orphanage, for example.
Volunteering everywhere is a commitment – and not a form of tourism! We need to match our good intentions with ethical sensitivity and ensure that we fully understand the impact of our assistance on the communities and people we wish to help.
The urge to change the world is a powerful part of volunteering – to live out the meaning of Gandhi’s famous words: ‘be the change that you wish to see in the world.’
So how can we ‘be the change’ if volunteering abroad is not an option? The truth is: we can start to change the world wherever we are!
- Volunteer locally in your community
All communities have needs. Don’t overlook those community organisations that are in need of volunteers. Consider local organisations or local volunteer networks in your city or region, and look out for networking meetings where volunteer organisations seek new recruits. Our partners at Aina Giving have identified reputable organisations all over the world, approved by local experts, so you can connect with organisations in your local area.
Be aware also that you may need to do some training to be fully prepared for a volunteer assignment, and be realistic and honest about your qualifications.
- Do your research
Your time is valuable and so is your money. Get to know as much as possible about any organisation you might give your time – and possibly money – to.
Don’t be afraid to ask hard questions. What are the qualifications of those running the organisation? Does the organisation have a code of conduct for engaging volunteers? How is the organisation funded, and how much of its funding goes directly to its beneficiaries? Does the organisation itself follow ethical practices and guidelines in its monitoring and reporting? Ask to see a copy of the latest annual report.
Our partners at Aina Giving can help guide your research. Their trained Ambo Corps vets volunteer organisations and projects and will be able to give advice and recommendations on what will suit you. They have hundreds of projects covering a wide variety of skills and interests – and all of them can be done at home.
- Become a fundraiser
Many of the world’s pressing development challenges come about not through lack of skills, but lack of funds. Simply put, organisations often need your financial support, and can only do this through committed supporters and donors – and volunteers who fundraise!
Look into how you can raise money for organisations who support the causes you care about on the ground. If you want to take it more seriously, there are also online courses to learn more about fundraising and ethical donating. You don’t have to travel to the end of the earth to do this!
- Learn and advocate
Awareness is one of the first steps towards positive change. If you care passionately about an issue, learn as much as you can about it so that you can inform and educate others. This can also be a form of volunteering!
Consider how you can share your knowledge with others. Are there online discussion groups you can join? Could you get involved in research and writing? For instance, Stahili’s volunteers are actively involved in spreading its message of education and sustainable development.
Be the Change
At Stahili, we try to be the change that we want to see in the world. Our actions count, and we need to be accountable to our actions. At the same time, volunteering is great fun, and we share this feeling with our partners at Aina Giving.
Please let us know about your experiences! If you would like to find out more about responsible and ethical volunteering, please contact info@stahili.org and check us out on Facebook.
This post is part of a series of cross posting with our colleagues at Aina: Regular People Changing the World (www.ainagiving.org). Stay tuned for next week’s post!