Volunteering can be a great way to see another country and help those in it as opposed to just visiting the most illustrious places for personal pleasure. Since so many people want to volunteer in foreign countries, it pays to understand what traps might be set up in order to scam volunteers out of their time and money. Volunteering can be worthwhile, but check organizations to make sure that your ethical volunteering overseas is not wasted.
It is actually possible to volunteer and to make the wrong choice. The community in question might not need actual help, but the organization that arranges such meetings is actually a for-profit company. They might control the condition of children or communities in order to keep them in a perpetual state of needing assistance. What would seem horrendous to a Westerner might seem legitimate in a society where good-paying opportunities are rare and scamming foreigners is common.
One very important consideration is to research all the organizations involved. Established charitable organizations with a long history of legitimate work are a great starting point, although occasionally honest old charities fall under the management of someone who is more profit-minded. It pays to look at both the history and the current condition of a charity.
Sometimes affiliated businesses or organizations might be running a scam. One example might be a school that keeps its kids constantly deprived because local business people earn a great deal of money providing housing and food to tourists willing to spend their own money in order to help. Some organizations pay their volunteers a salary, although a lot of volunteers pay out of their own pockets or receive a third party sponsor. In any case, a source of money is quickly tapped and controlled by those who have the power.
Reconsider new organizations or those under obscure local leadership. It is best to work with organizations that have a base in a Western country. Ethical volunteering overseas can vary dramatically by country, and organizations based in developing countries might be comfortable with corruption or with lying about expenses and living conditions. A lot of cultures consider exploiting Westerners to be fair game.
If a good volunteering opportunity does arise, then check to see if there is a local volunteer or expat community. Prior residents can give a wealth of feedback about what is actually going on. Vacation or volunteer colonies of Westerners exists all over the world. These places might be safer and more pleasant than other areas in the country, and the people who have been there can give a great deal of information about the actual costs.
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