Voluntourism is a combination of both volunteering and tourism. It is becoming increasingly popular. Young people all over the world are waking up to the realities of what is going on in the world and they want to make a change.
More and more university students are using their school vacations to travel and help communities whether locally or abroad. This is however not just limited to students. A number of professionals are looking to explore while doing some good. If you are considering taking time to explore the world, here are a few pointers to help you along the way.
Find out as much about the culture of your voluntour destination. This is extremely important. Unlike when you are just travelling, volunteering means that you will be interacting a lot more with the locals. The worst thing is to offend your hosts, or the community you are working with.
Find out about cost of living. In most cases, the organization that deploys volunteers will arrange for a host family but you would still need to fund your extra expenses. This is why you need to know how much to plan for your adventures.
Identify the skills you can offer. This will ensure that you are not misplaced in a position you are not suited for which would cause further issues. It will also help boost your morale since you will be confident in what you are doing.
Know for sure of what issues you are passionate about. This way you won’t get bored and decide to leave the assignment halfway through. If you love the cause you will also work more diligently, producing greater results.
Enjoy your travel! The best part of voluntourism is the tourism. You get to see your destination through the eyes of the locals which is priceless. If you’re travelling in Africa, take advantage of the best price guarantee from Africa Tours Adventure, a local tour operator offering tours throughout East Africa.
