I read about this in Time Magazine. Has anybody done this? Kinda sounds freaky, but they say they donate 80% profits to NGOs. In the past, I've done my own, limited touring of the poor areas off the beaten track and was pretty scared, although most folks were too busy doing their own thing to even notice me...
Anybody had experiences like these?
sacredcow
1
anonymous
if you want to donate money, find a NGO working with slum dwellers, and just give them the money...why do you need to join a specific tour?
if the slum dwellers are running the tour, perhaps then you should consider taking one but what are the chances of that?
happy travelling
pallav
http://purnea.ee.princeton.edu/~pgupa
2
truetraveller
Dear SacredCow,
I dont see anything wrong in having a tour in slums, and I must say that the houses of poors are the most vibrant and full of life. You see, they dont have much to lose :-) But you need to make sure that you understand the sensitivity as well. It would be good, if you know somebody who lives in that slum and you can believe him.
3
oobski
I believe the tours the OP is talking about are actually led by children or teenagers who live in the slums and have been trained by NGO volunteers to give these tours and to speak some English so they can explain their lives to travelers. If this is the case, I can't see how it's a bad thing, since it gives the young people something to do besides beg, and gives them a chance to improve their English - and the little I've heard about it makes it sound like the kids are pretty thrilled to be acting as guides and having contact with foreigners. I'd imagine you'd want to give them a small tip, in addition to whatever you pay for the tour.
5
navinkurian2002
http://www.realitytoursandtravel.com</a>
80% of profits after tax from these slum tours are donated to local NGOs (charities).
This is one of the only outfits in mumbai which do slum tours and they have a no camera policy which is good .
6
worthyquest
after reading through their website, i think reality tours sounds like a pretty amazing organization.
7
cochinjew
I have spokent o Chris Way on the phone from abroad as well asiwhile in India. I recommend him and their tour highly. I am glad to see that some people in india have charitable hearts. Mumbai was described to be as the Biggest Slum in the world, by an Indian..Good Luck
8
palexurdy
You want to visit someone's home for the sole reason that they're poor? If you want to go look at a bunch of noble scrubbers, fine; they're allover the place, y'know, just don't do so under the pretext of philanthropy. Visiting the world's biggest slum must carry some serious kudos, I guess.
The http://www.realitytoursandtravel.com</a> hasn't paid a single penny to charity so far. They lost over Rs.100000 in the first year. Even if they'd made Rs.100000 profit, still none of it would have gone to charity. The owners take a monthly wage, pay their staff, cover their expenses & end up helping no one but themselves. "What a load of crap" slums... sorry sums it up.
Pro tip
Lonely Planet
trusted partner
trusted partner