VOLUNTOURISM
The Rise and Rise of Voluntourism
From rescuing rainforest animals and rewilding open spaces to helping out on archaeological digs and planting trees in the tropics — voluntourism is the new buzzword for those wanting to turn their travels into a true adventure.
WORDS KATE ROBERTSON
VOLUNTOURISM
The Rise and Rise of Voluntourism
From rescuing rainforest animals and rewilding open spaces to helping out on archaeological digs and planting trees in the tropics — voluntourism is the new buzzword for those wanting to turn their travels into a true adventure.
WORDS KATE ROBERTSON
VOLUNTOURISM
The Rise and Rise of
Voluntourism
From rescuing rainforest animals and rewilding open spaces to helping out on archaeological digs and planting trees in the tropics — voluntourism is the new buzzword for those wanting to turn their travels into a true adventure.
WORDS KATE ROBERTSON
The American Hiking Society runs regular Volunteer Vacations. Photo Wesley Trimble
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Searching for ancient artefacts alongside professional archaeologists in Europe, working with marine biologists to measure the impact of climate change in Antarctica, or making new friends whilst opening up hiking trails in the American wilderness are just some of the genuine experiences open to volunteers around the world.
With more people than ever wanting to have meaningful travel experiences, combined with a growing recognition that tourism can be a force for good, it’s never been more popular to combine a trip abroad with some volunteer work. But the options are many and the range of jobs diverse, so it’s important to consider what suits you best if you’re considering doing voluntary work overseas as part of a trip.
You could help extend hiking trails in the USA. Photo Wesley Trimble
Professor of Management at Macquarie Business School and volunteering expert Debbie Haski-Leventhal has an explanation for why the term "voluntourism" is trending and why people are turning to more meaningful travel experiences: “It [voluntourism] has picked up in the last couple of decades as a tourist trend because people feel that when they work with the locals and help the local community, they step out from being a tourist and really get to know the country and its culture.”
Citizen scientists assist Earthwatch to carry out ocean research.
A helping hand for wildlife
One person who opted for just such an experience is Michelle Henriksen, who chose to turn a travel adventure through Central America into a volunteer experience. For two months she lived and worked deep in the Guatemalan jungle, assisting ARCAS Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Association. “The animals were mostly young, destined to be sold as pets in the illegal wildlife trade, but had been confiscated by border guards and sent to us at ARCAS,” Henriksen says.
“Many of the animals are scared, having seen their parents killed, so it’s also a case of nurturing and looking after them.”
— Michelle Henriksen
ARCAS receives between 300 to 600 confiscated animals each year. Photo Shutterstock
ARCAS is a not-for-profit organisation formed by a group of Guatemalan civilians worried about the dwindling wild animal populations in their country. They built a rehabilitation centre in the tropical forest and now take in up to 600 animals a year, with the aim of releasing them back into the wild. “Mostly the work involves feeding them and cleaning up after them. But many of the animals are scared, having seen their parents killed, so it’s also a case of nurturing and looking after them,” Henriksen says. “There are all sorts here; spider monkeys, coatimundis, jungle cats, big guinea pig things and lots and lots of parrots.”
ARCAS volunteers help rehabilitate and release confiscated animals back to into the wild. Photo Shutterstock
The work is rewarding, and Henriksen feels she has got a lot out of helping these animals in their plight. “Aside from helping the animals, I also improved my Spanish and learned some new skills. And meeting local villagers gave me deeper insight into how life is for the average person in Guatemala.”
Besides the satisfaction of knowing you’ve contributed to an important project, there could also be an added benefit to volunteering abroad.
Global Vision International offers volunteer archeological placements on land and in marine environments. Photo Shutterstock
Take your experience home with you
Besides the satisfaction of knowing you’ve contributed to an important project, there could also be an added benefit to volunteering abroad. Haski-Leventhal cites multiple examples of voluntourists who’ve gone on to become social activists upon their return home. One such volunteer, Rebecca Scott, was inspired by her volunteering experience in Vietnam. On returning to Australia, Scott co-founded a social enterprise called STREAT, which helps marginalised young people into hospitality and horticulture jobs.
Watch Rebecca Scott co-founder of social enterprise STREAT
"I was on annual leave in 2007 to do some volunteer work in Hanoi, Vietnam and I stumbled upon a social enterprise cafe working with homeless young people. It was just this moment of epiphany for me, realising that you could solve a social issue using the marketplace,” Scott says.
A butterfly perches on a creeping thistle in a rewilded wildflower meadow. Photo Shutterstock
It pays to do your homework
However, not all volunteering experiences are created equal. The surge in interest has seen the entry of some less scrupulous operators who are keen to take advantage of people’s good intentions. With horror stories including the creation of orphanages housing children who aren’t actually orphans, Haski-Leventhal urges would-be voluntourists to carry out their due diligence. “Make sure that you volunteer in a place where you are really needed, that no one is benefiting financially from your volunteering, and that your help is impactful,” she says.
American Hiking Society volunteers. Photo Wesley Trimble
Organisations such as Trust for Conservation Volunteers offer opportunities to plant trees or rewild areas. Photo Shutterstock
Research Checklist
- Check the organisation is a not-for-profit.
- Do some online research into the organisation.
- Try to talk to people who have volunteered there about their experience.
(Note: if your employer or university is affiliated with a volunteer organisation, they will have confirmed it is a legitimate provider.)
Trusted volunteer organisations
Green Volunteers lists vetted conservation, humanitarian and habitat restoration programmes around Asia
ARCAS accepts people from all over the world who want to help Central America’s wildlife:
The European Solidarity Corps is a programme backed by the European Commission that pairs young volunteers with vetted organisations in the areas of humanitarian aid and environmental protection:
The Trust for Conservation Volunteers is a British based organisation linked to Sir David Attenborough, offering literally hundreds of conservation opportunities: