The Guardian – positives and negatives of ‘voluntourism’
Seems to be a ‘media day’ … this article in The Guardian today asks, yet again, whether ‘voluntourism’ does more harm than good …
“If volunteers are truly to help communities overseas, charities and NGOs must take the time to match their skills with the right projects,” says Matthew Jenkin, editor of Guardian Careers
Key word: “MATCH” …
Our own approach here at ‘people and places‘ is – and always has been – to begin with an understanding of local need in order to match each volunteer’s skills and experience to local need. This matching process – vital in facilitating mutually rewarding and beneficial placements – takes time and is paramount!
Sallie gives a brief synopsis of our approach:
“There are a number of cultural issues – will the local community be comfortable with strangers in their midst? How will they make sure that their culture is protected and respected? They need to make sure that the recruitment organisation has devised a code of conduct and, if there are children present, a child protection policy. A needs assessment must be done.”