For centuries, humans have traveled the world in search of opportunities to lend a hand to others in need. From Christian Missionaries building their chapels in the 1500’s to the establishment of the Peace Corps in the 1960’s– for better or worse, humans have sought out international travel experiences that allow them the opportunity to make a difference in the world.

However, in recent years opportunities for individuals to volunteer abroad have come under scrutiny. Critics argue that some Volunteering abroad programs are less of an initiative to create positive change and more of an opportunity for Westerners to tour an exotic location abroad. Specifically, the satirical newspaper, The Onion, ignited the spark on the Volunteer Tourism debate with their 2014 article headline “6-Day Visit To Rural African Village Completely Changes Woman’s Facebook Profile Picture”. 

The article outlined the various negative impacts that had come as a result of the growing USD$6.2 billion industry of Volunteering abroad. This conversation quickly snowballed while other critics added to the rhetoric around “Voluntourism” defined as “assistance rendered to local people by tourists who stay in local communities for less than one year”.

Ultimately, this term has been used to describe volunteer projects that seem to benefit the volunteer and the organization that created the program, more than the local community that the volunteer is hoping to serve. While some programs may simply act as an opportunity for individuals to take a vacation while seemingly lending a hand to a local community, there have also been very dangerous consequences of irresponsible Volunteering abroad initiatives.

Unfortunately, these dangerous consequences have been numerous and have taken place in many areas of the world. The most notable include exploitation of orphans, tasking volunteers to work in roles without the appropriate skills, and using the unpaid labor of volunteers in roles that otherwise could have been filled by locals in the community for a paid rate. The Guardian published a recounted experience from an American volunteer constructing various infrastructure in Tanzania:

“We … were so bad at the most basic construction work that each night the men had to take down the structurally unsound bricks we had laid and rebuild the structure so that, when we woke up in the morning, we would be unaware of our failure.” 

While there are many negative impacts of inappropriate Voluntourism initiatives, there have also been positive experiences that have brought people together to freely contribute their skills for the benefit of everyone involved. One way Venture 2 Impact facilitates this positive exchange is through skills-based volunteering.