This is something I've been thinking about for a while now. I certainly do not believe that voluntourism does anything for the destination on a *short* term basis, I think if it's well planned, it can certainly make an impact in the long run. Many people who only ever take vacations to all-inclusive resorts, never really see the way that most of the rest of the world lives. Voluntourism exposes them to the sometimes "less attractive" side of foreign countries. Also, if there's enough education/encouragement done by the host organization, it can really motivate people to make a real difference long-term(ie: career choices, presidential vote, company boycotting, etc...)

In terms of taking over jobs that the locals could do, I am strongly against that. I think our role as "Westerners" is to get the ball rolling, not dominate. I recently returned from living, and teaching English in a developing country, and only felt ok with it because there hardly seemed to be any qualified people to teach English. Most were teaching it incorrectly, or poorly. I was able to help develop new curriculum, and teaching methods, to improve on what they were doing, and really help them in the long-run.

So, in short, I think it's a mistake to believe voluntourism is great in and of itself, but if conducted well, can really make some long term impact.

As one who has gone to Ghana on mission trips , let me tell you what I know.

First, money is spent in that country and in that village that would normally not have been spent there. Instead of a hand out, many people have an income providing services and crafts that are paid for. This is makes for a better work ethic, than just handing out money.

Second, through my experience and guidance of the local missionary, I am sponsoring a teenage girl for secondary school education. This makes for a change in one other life. others have done the same. So over the long run, what will be the effect of getting some villagers access to education? Time will tell, but more of a chance than if she was married off early to live in poverty. Her goal is to stay there and work in the hospital.

Third, is support of long term projects. When the hospital was started by a missionary couple about 15 years ago, there was no doctor,electricity, or running water in the building. Now there are operating rooms , housing for nurses and doctors, running water of course, and just this year wi-fi internet. This builds up jobs for caretakers, gatemen, markets,and so-called cab drivers. They even, dare I say it, have a restaurant (chop chop? I think they call it) now.

The missionary said it was mostly important for the people to see the human face of caring than to just get a hand out. Money does solve a problem as much as knowing there are others who care about you and pray for you and thought you were important enough to come halfway around the world to visit.

Thanks for letting me post.

I once had a long debate about this issue on another travel board, and I think you are missing a key point. Though there are always exceptions, anyone who spends thousands of dollars “helping out” for a couple of weeks is almost always handing over the money to a middle-man, who is, invariably, a westerner. This middleman is the person who benefits financially the most – by far – and not the local villagers. And in the best-case scenario, this middleman would call himself a “businessperson” and not an “NGO” so that taxpayers aren’t subsidizing a program of questionable value. Sorry for the rant, but this is a pet peeve of mine.

Frank

I wonder, if in some cases, voluntourism brings people to the fold that wouldn't otherwise be willing to give their time and/or money to a development project. I'm not an expert by ANY means, but I wonder if while it's probably not the best possible way to give back, it couldn't be the "gateway drug" (sorry) for people who are looking to make a difference but just don't know how.

I do know people who've done voluntourism and come back to do more. And I know those for whom it's been a sort of moral bandaid.

No conclusions, just general thoughts.

As a follow up, like Frank says, I am not inclined to give my money to a middleman. By going there and giving it to whom I wanted and trusted is one way to be sure it is not wasted in handing it over to a faceless charity. The hospital is there, I can see the money at work. Cynthia is there, I can see an actual life improvement.

Another point to going on short term mission trips , is that it is a trial run for those who will enter the field fulltime. They may want to see if they can handle it,and they may be waiting for family obligations and bills to reduce. I will be returning with another lady who does 2-3 months in different countries at a time. I will see how she does it and think about my real abilities to do that when I retire.

Also, once someone goes on a short term mission trip, even if they never return, they know what it is like and know they can't do it. They appreciate the people, who do go fulltime, even more and will support them financially.