Thorn Tree travel forum

1

That was nice of you to post this, thanks.

2

"It does sound funny to most that you actually have to pay to participate in activities like this, and it actually sounds innecessary to me too!"

As I posted to another thread, it's completely logical and appropriate that short-term volunteers are required to pay to volunteer. Now, the emphasis in local relief and development efforts is to empower local people, and to hire local people, whenever possible, to address their own issues, build their own capacities, and give them employment. The priority for sending volunteers to developing countries is to fill gaps in local skills and experience, not to give the volunteer an outlet for his or her desire to help. Remember: it's much more beneficial to local communities to hire local people to serve food, build houses, educate young people, etc., than to bring in an outside volunteer. If you want a short-term volunteering assignment, be prepared to pay for at least your travel and accommodations.

That said -- the days of international volunteers are NOT numbered: there will always be a need for international volunteers, either to fill gaps in knowledge and service in a local situation, or because a more neutral observer/contributor is required. So, to volunteer overseas, you need to have skills and experience that are critically needed in a particular region.

I have much more advice on this subject on this page on my web site, to help those from the "West" who want to volunteer abroad.

--
Jayne A Broad
www.coyotecommunications.com/travel

3

I think when people are complaining about paying money to volunteer they are not referring to paying the costs of accomodation and food, or indeed the costs incurred by the organisation they wish to volunteer for. Rather they are complaining about the organisations that arrange volunteering for a substantial sum (often thousands of dollars). If this money were going to the organisations in need then it would be less of an issue.