In defence of volunteering

[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hether it be building, teaching or conservation projects, volunteering abroad is a popular option amongst many students during the long summer break or as part of a gap year. Volunteering promises a life-changing experience and the opportunity to see a different side of a country while also giving something back to the local community.

Despite this, many claim that volunteering is expensive and inaccessible, only open to those with lots of money and time to spare. I feel, though, that even if volunteering is expensive, it is actually easy to fundraise to cover the cost. But more importantly, volunteering is a great experience that is definitely worth the expense.

I have been on three previous volunteering trips with a charity called Mission Direct to the Dominican Republic, Moldova and Zambia. This year I’m going on a similar trip to Kenya to take part in a building project at a refuge centre for victims of FGM and forced marriage. As well as doing this, in the afternoons volunteers get involved in other activities such as organising sports or craft activities for local children, and taking part in home based care visits. This means that you get to help and take part in various different projects, making a practical difference to the lives of those you meet.

These volunteering trips have all been for two weeks, which may seem like a short amount of time compared to many, which last for months. I would love to take part in a longer-term volunteering project at some point, but the two week trips are both cheaper, and more accessible for those who have commitments at home over the summer. So, volunteering does not have to be about spending huge amounts of time and money.

However, there are not only concerns about the inaccessibility of volunteering, but also the question of whether it is worth it, or even morally right. Recent debates have suggested volunteering has turned into ‘voluntourism’, where volunteering may actually do more harm than good, leading to many potential problems including a culture of dependency.

While I can only talk from experience, I would say that this is not at all the case. Many charities have strong links with the local community as they are involved with local partners and charities which operate permanently in that country, meaning they are supporting well established organisations and charities who know the day to day needs of the community.

Similarly, the actual physical difference apparent with the building projects is undeniable. I was part of a volunteering team that built a new house for a family alongside a team of local builders, helping to improve the lives of that one family, which is surely what volunteering is all about.

Covering the cost of a volunteering trip is in some ways easier than just paying for a normal holiday due to the amount of support you receive when you tell people about what you are doing. Fundraising is actually a really fun part of the experience.

The thought of dressing up in a costume and standing around holding a bucket all day may not appeal to everyone (myself included), but fundraising is all about playing to your strengths. If you enjoy sports or physical challenges you could take part in a sponsored event – I’ve genuinely heard of someone who climbed Mount Snowdon dressed as a penguin, so really, anything goes. If you like baking cakes, then organise a cake sale or a bigger event such as a garden or tea party. Money soon adds up if you organise a few small events such as cake sales or coffee mornings and you’d be surprised how much people are willing to donate.

You don’t even have to do anything too crazy, you’d be surprised by the amount of people you know and how many of these will be willing to donate once you tell them what you’ll be doing. Setting up a JustGiving page is a really simple way to get donations rolling in. There are also charities who often give grants to young people involved in volunteering projects.

You can also try to appeal to a wider audience by writing to your local newspaper about what you’re doing; they always need to fill print and, chances are, your story will be more interesting than their usual local news. So, raising the funds to take part in a volunteering project is certainly not as daunting as it may seem.

The fact that I’m about to take part in my fourth volunteering trip shows just how fun and worthwhile volunteering can be. I would recommend volunteering to anyone – it’s amazing to see the small difference you can make to a local community in two weeks, as well as making friends with the people you meet.

As clichéd as it sounds, it also gives you the opportunity to experience the ‘real’ country away from the tourist centre. It’s rewarding, and in my opinion, a better use of time than a two week beach holiday. And if you still don’t believe me, you’ll just have to try it!