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Category: people and places in the news

articles about people and places

people and places are recognised as “movers and shakers” 

people and places are recognised as “movers and shakers” 

Early in April our South African partners, Good Work Foundation picked up our latest award for us. Thanks Gemma and Fumani for representing us and all our other African partners! We’ve just won GOLD at the WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards These awards “ champion the very best work in Responsible Tourism on the African continent. …. – sustainability champions, changemakers, movers and shakers – who continue to make a positive impact and lead by example.“ We won the award for…

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It’s International Women’s Day every day at people and places!

It’s International Women’s Day every day at people and places!

We are blessed to work with some amazing women – role models and leaders – in Morocco, South Africa ,Cambodia and The Gambia. International Women’s Day was last week – but we don’t apologise for being late! – because every day is women’s day here at people and places In this post we have chosen to focus on a programme we work with in The Gambia – but wherever you choose to volunteer with us – be assured the projects…

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Look at what we’ve gone and won!

Look at what we’ve gone and won!

In the last year our e-volunteer programme has been recognised as a game changer, not once but three times! “The World Responsible Tourism Awards 2020 are dedicated to acknowledging those in travel and tourism who have taken remarkable steps to address the multiple challenges brought to our industry by the COVID-19 crisis.” “We were sincerely impressed by your initiatives” (judging panel goabroad.com) “When the pandemic struck, peopleandplaces were no longer able to send volunteers to support the projects they have…

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we’ve just won an award for our work during the pandemic!

we’ve just won an award for our work during the pandemic!

We, at people and places highly value recognition from such prestigious  awards as the WTM World Responsible Tourism Award. This year the judges decided to commend organisations and destinations which are taking responsibility and addressing the many challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. We are particularly proud to have won The Innovation Award because people and places was conceived to innovate for better practice in the volunteer travel.  We won the award for the work we are doing to develop support and encourage e-volunteering – a…

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the cruel scams of ‘orphanage volunteering’

the cruel scams of ‘orphanage volunteering’

Kate Stefanko interviewed by BBC1’s “Fake Britain” – about 35 minutes into the programme The programme was first aired in May 2014 and repeated again this morning … sadly, so much of the content is still relevant … and not only in Cambodia. The cruel scams of ‘orphanage volunteering’ are exposed – cruel to children & scamming naive & well-meaning volunteers ! at people and places we support organisations and projects which focus on keeping children in families check out childsafe  and…

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“gap years for grown ups” – the value of older volunteers

“gap years for grown ups” – the value of older volunteers

“Highly skilled people … are looking for career break activities” writes Matthew Jenkin in today’s Guardian newspaper. At ‘people and places‘, we know that each volunteer has valuable skills to share – whatever their age. The key is to put the right people in the right places, and that’s something we work hard to achieve. As Sallie says in The Guardian article: “… older volunteers can bring huge value … they are generally more patient and better prepared for voluntary work, not only…

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should I volunteer abroad ?

should I volunteer abroad ?

just re-read an article about ‘voluntourism’ (a word I do not like!) in the World Travel Guide … actually rather proud … “Kate Stefanko, Placement Director at People and Places, … thinks volunteering abroad can be beneficial to all concerned if it is done right. We believe that a carefully placed, thoroughly screened, well-prepared, skilled volunteer can – and does – have a positive impact,” says Stefanko.   “All volunteers through People and Places have to apply for a position. Then,…

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volunteering & ‘voluntourism’ – there’s a difference!

volunteering & ‘voluntourism’ – there’s a difference!

It’s taken a while, but gradually the media is beginning to recognise and write about the POSITIVE results of volunteering, and how to achieve such results. At ‘people and places‘, we’ve always differentiated between volunteering and ‘voluntourism’ … this understanding is beginning to be expressed in the media … gradually ! ‘people and places‘ was featured in an article in The Guardian in May … with the usual sort of headline, unfortunately … but with a far more positive sub-heading:  “If…

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