Around The Web On Volunteering: June 7

I guess volunteering does pay well for the right people.

It\’s time to look closely at this whole concept of voluntourism. On i-to-i the first volunteering spot I saw was over $1000 USD.

Paying your costs is one thing, boosting the funds of a large western travel organisation is another.

Basically, I think you’re right.

There are a lot of facets to it though. To me, part of it is that if that’s what people want to do, they should be aware that they are doing it (ie paying a travel company that can be later sold for 20 million Pounds, etc and not donating money to the cause the project incorporates) and acknowledge that it’s more of a substitute for an organized tour than a two-week volunteer session. (and to be fair in my own comment, some companies are open about this - i to i may be one of them.)

I actually found an interesting article with a comment from VSO on this theme and hope to make a post or three about it in the near future - I’d be interested in getting your input as well the topic, so stay tuned and come back to comment again!