Making a Difference
and
Taking a Vacation
By Rashaan Dozier-Escalante

You’ve just spent three weeks in Costa Rica helping a village build a new well and irrigation system that will provide the village with clean water and help to eliminate diseases associated with dirty water and poor irrigation systems. Now you’re going to spend a couple days white water rafting down the class V Rio Reventazón River, navigating the Corobici River or camping on the banks of the Pacuare. After that you’ll spend a couple of days in the cosmopolitan city of San Jose for some shopping, culture and good food, before flying home.

Welcome to the world of Voluntourism, where you can help your fellow man or favorite cause, and take the vacation of your life! Since the early late 1990’s more and more tour companies have dedicated their services to helping consumers satisfy their desire to contribute to their favorite charities and help others, by arranging tour packages that include transportation, accommodations and meals to remote places and programs that need help. Many packages also offer extras like TEFL certification and 24/7 support from local staff in the pricing.

Countries like Uganda, Argentina, Costa Rica, Zambia, Vietnam, and Cambodia are featured. Many people, or families, who want to travel to these distant countries, but don’t feel confident enough to do so on their own are finding the support they receive from the voluntourism companies and the activities they participate in worth the money they spend. Travelers do everything from teaching English, to community development to building homes. And some companies even offer conservation and sports programs that help the locals.

Companies such as “i-to-i” help patrons find the project that is right for them and their families, and offers inoculation, vaccination, visa and travel advice. Consumers can participate in the program as is, tack on weeks or add a holiday at the end.

Voluntourism can manifest itself as a student gap year, an individual project or as an employee volunteer project. It has become so popular that several Fortune 500 companies have coordinated programs for its employees. In these programs, employees use their vacation time to volunteer on behalf of their corporations. They may receive half credit on their vacation time or other benefits by working on the company’s behalf.

Though there are many reputable voluntourism companies, be aware that there are some disreputable ones that have run scams on gap year students and others. So, before making a decision as to what company to spend not only your money, but also your time with, do your research! Check references, contributing foundations, and the Better Business Bureau. Also, call a foundation headquarters in your specific country for voluntourism company suggestions.

Taking the time to research the volunteer opportunity that is right for you and your family make for a better experience. Asking questions like will the children be able participate in the activities, are the facilities and accommodations adequate for children, are there any formal activities to participate in, and what are the medical facilities like will help to deter an unfulfilling experience? These are all things to consider when choosing your destination.

So go forth, help others and have a good time doing it.