Many full time volunteers and NGO founders out there hold a negative perspective on those organisations offering itineraries for every day travellers to make a small difference to the destinations they visit. But surely it can't all be bad, can it?
The majority of people don't have the ability to put their entire lives on hold to dedicate a long period of time to charity. A lot of busy people want to incorporate the idea of 'voluntourism' into their travel plans because they want to offer some way to make a difference no matter how small. They might have families, jobs and responsibilities back home that limits their opportunities to spark change so they look to an experience that is both fulfilling and enjoyable at the same time.
Tara Winkler is the Australian founder of Cambodian Children's Trust and is one person who is somewhat speculative about the impact that voluntourism has on children in Cambodia.
'Voluntourism is a term used for tourists and travellers who include volunteering for a charitable cause as part of their travel itinerary. It is one of the fastest growing areas of the travel industry, and it is causing serious problems for developing countries like Cambodia – problems that most people are not aware of…
Orphanage tourism is the best (or worst!) example of the kinds of problems that voluntourism can create.
It may surprise you to learn that the number or orphanages in Cambodia has almost doubled in recent years, despite the fact that there are far less orphans.
It also might surprise you to hear that the majority of the children in these orphanages are not orphans. They are children from poor families. Struggling parents entrust their children into the care of orphanages in the hope they will find a path out of poverty to a better life.'
It seems possible that our efforts to help need to be directed elsewhere in places such as Cambodia. Rather than encourage parents to send their children to an orphanage for a better chance at life, maybe our dollars can be better spent on supporting the families and ensuring that their child has the best possible upbringing from within the family home.
And that is precisely what Tara's organization does. They provide the tools to empower this generation of Cambodian children and give them the best chance of success to pull themselves above the poverty line.
Through social enterprise projects such as Jann Bai Restaurant and Sammaki Art Gallery who provide training and reliable employment with reasonable wages, Tara's team are working at a steady pace toward a new generation of empowered Cambodian youths.
At the same time other projects initiated by the group offer community outreach and education services that are ensuring that the power of knowledge is given to both the children and families alike.
Tara's organization takes high regard the safety and comfort of the children in their programs. Visitors can attend at set times as to not disrupt class and limited interaction with the children is afforded. It is a very tightly run ship but it is in the interest of the children.
So does voluntourism have a place in this new wave of charity attacking core issues rather than simply offering money or assistance to orphanages exploiting under priveliged children? Is there not a way for vacationers to offer some sort of help to give back to the communities that give them so much joy in their travels?
Voluntourism is not simply going to disappear, but maybe we can do it better?
We asked Tara whether there was a clear way toward 'responsible voluntourism' and whether tourism can be used to offer a positive impact on the children's lives. We are yet to receive a reply.
As world travellers we often try to tread lightly and make a positive impact on the environment of which we are visitors. If there is a way that we can do it better then we need to know about it.
Tara is quoted from the lessonsilearned.org blog
here