“Voluntourism” What does it mean to you? CISTM Quebec May 2015

Sheila C K Hall RGN SCM MSc (T Med) Conflicts of Interest? None Confessions / Admissions? X 3

• I have no formal qualifications re “Voluntourism”

• I am not saying that Volunteering is a BAD thing to do

• I am current Chair of the Responsible Group ?

Travel that is environmentally, socially, culturally and economically sustainable. Does “Responsible Travel” include….. Eco- Ethical travel Nature Tourism Fair trade travel Voluntourism Or are these terms adopted by the travel industry and used as “feel good” marketing tools? Many organisations offering volunteer experiences are charities functioning with the best of intentions - not only to the volunteers but also to the host communities Some are large money making companies.

“Voluntourism” or “Volunteer Tourist”

Is there a definition?

“Engagement in Volunteer Work as a Tourist”

“An activity in which people pay to volunteer in development or conservation projects”

“Short stay programmes that entail providing immediate and direct care to vulnerable young children identified by tourism operators as AIDS orphans” What are the motivations for voluntourism?

Two main motivations were found –

• Contribution to society • The tourist experience

? Is there any difference between

VOLUNtourist or volunTOURIST

We can meet voluntourists in many different travel groups • School groups • Church groups • The gap year student • The adventurous backpacker • The short trip • The family holiday • The retired traveller • And more…… So what’s the problem?

Setting the Scene A travel clinic consultation

David is a rather shy but pleasant 19 year old lad who is attending for his 2nd clinic visit prior to his trip to Ghana (2nd rabies and Hep B + meningitis vaccines).

He is also keen to hear all about the risk of malaria as he has never travelled anywhere like this before. • How long are you going to Ghana for? 3 weeks

• What are your plans when you are there? I am working as a volunteer……….. building schools and libraries and eh……things………… • Is this with a church group or school group or charity organisation? Naw – I saw a thing on tele about “water aid” and wanted to go and help and I contacted them, but they don’t take volunteers. They told me to look on the internet and I found this company which organises stuff for volunteers. • So did this company organise any preparation or give you any advice? Aye – you can talk to other volunteers on facebook and things…….but I’m just going to meet them in Ghana at the airport. A guy from the company will meet us there. • I guess this is quite an expensive trip for you ……with all the vaccines etc? It’s costing me a fortune………but it will be worth it….. Teaching in schools Volunteers can choose from the available options on arrival from primary and secondary schools. No experience is necessary; most volunteers have little or no experience and volunteer numbers and interest permitting, many share classes. There may be some set books to follow but there is always an opportunity to introduce the children to new things, even in the primary schools.

Nursery work Get involved with day nurseries in and around the area. Some of the nurseries have even been built by previous volunteers! From nursery games, simple activities to washing dirty hands to one to one attention nursery work can be exhilarating. Working with young children can be very rewarding as you watch them grow and know you have been involved with their development.

“Skills and experience, specific skills and experience are not required – come and try your hand at something new”

“Book your placement with £125. Then pay £95 per week to volunteer”

So a 3 week trip will cost me £410 ?

…what’s not included? Flights Visas Insurance Return airport transfer Local transposrt Meals

…and vaccine costs…….and anti malarials………?? Or another option in Cambodia

“………broadening the horizons of underprivileged youngsters through education, mentoring and coaching in the city’s many children’s homes .”

There are similar companies all over the word

But there are problems with orphanage tourism…… 2011 report – produced with the support of UNICEF

Community based care for children is a much better option than residential institutions.

Since almost all residential care centres are funded by individuals from overseas, many centres turn to tourism to attract more donors. In the worst cases this becomes the basis for an “orphanage tourism” business, in which children are routinely asked to perform for, or befriend donors, and in some cases to actively solicit the funds to guarantee the residential centres’ survival. Foreigners play a significant role in funding and maintaining residential care centres in Cambodia. They do this, for the most part, with the best intentions and in the hope of having a new challenging experience.

Since foreigners are known to give money, residential care centres have begun to solicit more funds through ‘orphanage’ tourism.

This puts a burden on children and at its worst exposes them to risk. www.orphanages.no

This UNICEF report is available on orphanges.no web site Next Generation Nepal.

NGO organisation based in Nepal.

“Combating child trafficking through ethical voluntourism”

UNICEF are also concerned about the potential increase in volunteers following the earthquake disaster in Nepal.

Appeals are made using images of children…..

But is any of this relevant to us as Travel health Consultants?

In 2003 the following organisations came together to form the Better Care Network

• United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF),

• Save the Children UK

• Displaced Children and Orphans Fund (DCOF)

• Africa Bureau for Sustainable Development

• United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

TheirMission mission Statement statement?

• EstablishThe mission of theinternational BCN is to facilitate active and information national exchange standards and for collaboration on the issue of children without adequate family care and advocate allfor technicallyforms soundof care policy andfor programmatic children action without on global, regional,adequate and national levels in order to: family• Reduce care instances and of separation mechanisms and abandonment for of ensuring children; compliance;• Reunite children outsideand family care with their families, wherever possible and appropriate; • Increase, strengthen, and support family and community-based care options for children; • Ensure• Establish that international residential and national standardsinstitutions for all forms are of care used for children in a without adequate family care and mechanisms for ensuring compliance; and very• Ensure limited that residential manner institutions and are used only in a verywhen limited appropriate. manner and only when appropriate. The BCN is guided by the UNCRC; the Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children (welcomed by the UN General Assembly in 2009) and the 2003 Stockholm Declaration on Children and Residential Care. The BCN is not a legal entity but an interagency network.

In 2014 the Better Care Network formed the Better Volunteering, Better Care Group

• Based in Cambodia

Aim – • to collaborate with interested bodies, charities, NGOs, Educational Institutes. • to educate and raise awareness about the dangers associated with the explosion of volunteer travel.

In January 2015 I was invited to be part of their focus group as a representative from the world of Travel Health.

In Summary There are some very responsible volunteering organisations – but research carefully and ask many questions before committing to a project.

• Who REALLY benefits? • Am I taking jobs away from local communities? • Am I qualified to work with or teach vulnerable children? • Do I have the skills to “build a school”? • Where does the money I have given really go? • Why do I not volunteer at home in my own country? Etc etc etc ………

And finally -

Is this any of our business?

Should our professional travel health organisations be collaborating with the charities and NGO’s qualified to work within these vulnerable communities?

Come and speak to us at the Responsible Travel

Group stand in the exhibition area!

Thank you.

“Voluntourism” What does it mean to you? CISTM Quebec May 2015

Sheila C K Hall RGN SCM MSc (T Med)