In today’s society more and more citizens have responded to the call to help those in developing countries, a trend unlikely to decline anytime soon. Like any trend, no different from other areas of human endeavors, it is important to discuss its effects, whether good or bad. Whatever the motivation these volunteers hold, you stated an important point in your article that they do hold “good intentions”(Kushner). With this discussion of whether voluntourism - “tourism in which travellers do voluntary work to help communities” (Dictionary.com), efforts are actually beneficial, it is important to ask yourself whether or not the impact of volunteering can be simplified and generalized in numbers and statistics. Despite the numerous documented
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I firmly agree with your opinion that “easing global poverty is an enormously complex task” (Kushner). ; However it isn’t a task we should abandon. With a mission so complicated, you argue that the “voluntourists” that are uneducated on the community and issues, cannot create enduring benefits. You want volunteers to reevaluate their inclinations to give back by recommending, “Perhaps we ought to abandon the assumption that we, simply by being privileged enough to travel the world, are somehow qualified to help ease the world’s ills.”(Kushner) Although this is a harsh reality to some, it is important that volunteers understand the complexities surrounding their efforts, because if they do not, it will set them up for …show more content…
These crucial interactions broaden the worldview of the volunteer, just as much as the local in that community. I can still recall the emotional connections I had made with the residents of the community, and the strongest impact, which stemmed from “creating harmonious societies marked by high levels of social cohesion.” (United Nations Volunteers). This opportunity fostered an understanding among two vastly different cultures and communities that could have never been achieved by simply sending money to the
I firmly agree with your opinion that “easing global poverty is an enormously complex task” (Kushner). ; However it isn’t a task we should abandon. With a mission so complicated, you argue that the “voluntourists” that are uneducated on the community and issues, cannot create enduring benefits. You want volunteers to reevaluate their inclinations to give back by recommending, “Perhaps we ought to abandon the assumption that we, simply by being privileged enough to travel the world, are somehow qualified to help ease the world’s ills.”(Kushner) Although this is a harsh reality to some, it is important that volunteers understand the complexities surrounding their efforts, because if they do not, it will set them up for …show more content…
These crucial interactions broaden the worldview of the volunteer, just as much as the local in that community. I can still recall the emotional connections I had made with the residents of the community, and the strongest impact, which stemmed from “creating harmonious societies marked by high levels of social cohesion.” (United Nations Volunteers). This opportunity fostered an understanding among two vastly different cultures and communities that could have never been achieved by simply sending money to the