Ethics in AD: Volunteerism VS Voluntoursim

Voluntourism - Buy a tour package include visits to less fortunate places
                     - People pay money to go on a tour, volunteering is part of the trip.

QNS: Who are they doing it for?
(Are they doing it for themselves or the community?)

QNS: What is their intention?

(Question to self) WHY ARE WE DOING WHAT WE ARE DOING?

QNS: Why do I want work with this community?

People who volunteer just want to do good. The earnest hope to help the community.


The GOOD and BAD of Voluntourism.













As an outsider, we think we know what is best for them. We think we know what they want/need.
WHO ARE WE TO ADOPT THAT KIND OF ATTITUDE?

Story: In Sri Lanka, the fisherman were affected by the disaster. The aid organisation went in and gave the people items. Without doing any prior research, they gave the community fibreglass boats. The Sri Lanka people were very happy but after a while, the boats could not be used anymore.
WHY?

The Sri Lanka citizens do not have the materials and knowledge to repair and maintain the boat. Previously, the citizen use boats that they have made by themselves. So, they would know how to fix them because of their rich local knowledge. There was nothing wrong with their handmade boats.

The items were given is not sustainable and not what the community really needs or wants. (THINK ABOUT IT)



This is applied locally.
The project here must be addressing the real need.
WHO IS GOING TO GAIN THE MOST OUT OF IT? Receiver or Giver?


#InstagrammingAfrica: The Narcissism of Global Voluntourism

An article in The Onion mocks voluntourism, joking that a six-day visit to a rural African village can “completely change a woman’s Facebook profile picture.”  The article quotes “22-year-old Angela Fisher” who says:

I don’t think my profile photo will ever be the same, not after the experience of taking such incredible pictures with my arms around those small African children’s shoulders.

(Read: http://www.psmag.com/business-economics/instagrammingafrica-narcissism-global-voluntourism-83838)

QNS: Who do you do it for? 

Some people do it to feel good about themselves. 

She talks about how you get around this. How you can actually make Voluntourism work!