Looking to travel with a purpose next year? Voluntourism is when people go on vacation to help others.
Studies show that almost two million travelers each year want to give back on their vacation, and they spend about $2 billion a year.
"Planning a volunteer experience while traveling is a great way to give back, but families need to carefully research suppliers that offer volunteer experiences," said Janine Queenin, owner of Storied Adventures Travel in Westfield, Massachusetts.
"It's important to ensure that volunteer projects have the full support of the community, don't create a situation where children are exploited, are funded to completion and beyond and don't take away paid jobs from local residents."
Travel agents with expertise in voluntourism will help families sort through different opportunities to ensure the experience is good for their client and also in the best interest of the community.
"For travel agents, my advice is to partner with family-focused operators who can deliver age-appropriate activities that are also carefully vetted for impact and sustainability," said Patty Monahan of Birmingham, Michigan and founder at Our Whole Village-which organizes small group departures for families who seek culturally-immersive experiences with a philanthropic component.
Volunteers have also been known to teach English, build homes, clean areas and build infrastructure.
The intent is good, but if a consumer is interested in volunteering to help in another country, it's best to work with companies that will connect you to the right opportunities and where the help is needed. A travel agent can connect you with these companies and opportunities that range from one week to more than a year.
You can work with classrooms, after-school programs, daycares, women's shelters and more. You can also live and work in areas where environmental help is needed.
According to Whitt, one group of high school friends worked to build livestock shelters in a chilly, remote Andean village for three days during the summer vacation two years ago, then went back this past summer to do it again.
"Now in college, these students are planning a third trip to spend their summer helping out in this village in 2018," said Whitt.
Families can choose to bring (or buy locally) donations for schools or villages including paper, markers and pencils.
"Backpacks are one of the most useful donations," added Whitt. "Children walk to school, or the lucky ones may get delivered on motorcycles. Having a backpack to carry supplies and lunches protects things from the cold mountain climate."
Large families and groups (6-10 people) can spend a day in a semi-urban school setting helping to build gardens, mud-brick stoves or walls.
"These projects have to be planned during the cycle of the school term," said Whitt. "Other projects may involve 2 to 3 days camping in a remote village while assisting with the building of mud-brick livestock shelters or other structures as needed by the community. Families report that volunteering is just as rewarding for them as it is for the recipients."
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