Voluntourism: Give Back While Getting Away

Give a hand while on your next vacation

You work hard at your job.  Maybe you are raising kids, too.  When it comes time for a break, what would you rather do… relax on a beach, or volunteer to help needy communities or causes?

With voluntourism, you can do both.  Why not give back while getting away?

Lest you have visions of building bridges in third world countries, much of today’s voluntoursim is much more glamorous.  Well, at least the digs are!

Some 5-star hotels are now offering amenities that include removing trash from highways, helping in soup kitchens, and pulling noxious weeds.  If you want to get away from your everyday hassles, why not get some feel-good mojo when you go on a trip?  Actually, I think the entire idea is brilliant!

Just consider the need in communities like New Orleans:

What can you offer when you go on vacation?

When you engage in the hotel-organized volunteer opportunities, you can plan on a day or two, rather than a week of hard labor.  When you retire at the end of the day, you can lie your weary head on a soft pillow and pull up high thread-count sheets around your neck.

Time Magazine recently reported on several destinations at which you can give back while getting away:

1. The Mandarin Oriental in Miami:  help with recycling projects or remove invasive plants
2. The Fairmont Mission Inn and Spa in Sonoma, CA:  help rebuild a hiking trail
3. The Ritz-Carlton’s Give Back Getaways is located in numerous locations around the world, and its Community Footprint initiative involves helping at food banks and working with disabled kids

Voluntourism is a great way to get fully immersed in the community you are visiting.  Sure, you can visit popular parks and dine in fine restaurants, but how else can you truly get a feel for the region, than by rubbing elbows with the locals?

Of course, there are critics of some of these posh destinations offering voluntourism opportunities.  Yet, tourists are not getting a break on their hotel rates – in fact, they often pay extra for the chance to help out.

With so few people willing to donate time or other resources… particularly while on vacation… I say, let’s encourage the practice as much as possible!

Would you engage in voluntourism?  Where would you like to help out?