Ethical tourism: Laying bricks in Africa and helping orphans in Asia
By Malinda Zerefos
Looking to book a holiday overseas, but want to try something different away from the major tourist trails? There are many options to give you adventure and stories to tell, while contributing back a bit in return. Here, two Australians, Jenny in Uganda and Jonathan in the Philippines, share their experiences of volunteering overseas.
When Jenny, a communications student, decided to take some time off to travel after graduation, she booked a volunteer program in Uganda. "Many of my friends wanted me to join them travelling around Europe or snowboarding in Canada, but I was looking for something different," she said. "I wanted to give something back and it turned out to be an unforgettable experience."
Living in an isolated community for six weeks, she made do without the luxuries of a warm shower or reliable electricity while she helped build the local school. She worked up to eight hour days, four days a week in often gruelling 40 degree heat, utilising her spare time to teach the local kids how to play cricket, or trying to learn how to cook some of the local dishes. She shared basic accommodation with six other volunteers from all over the world, often staying up all night talking together about the day's adventures and then watching the sun rise.
"Some people assume that the best holidays are about lying on a tropical beach doing nothing much, but I'd be bored out of my mind," she said. "For me, it's been the more challenging travel experiences which have been the most memorable. There were definitely days where I just wanted to go home, but in the end I think I had a better time stacking bricks in the middle of nowhere than sipping lattés in Paris – it's just that much more involved."
Jenny's decision reflects a growing trend – many travellers are becoming more conscious of the impact on the communities they visit. Many travellers find that voluntary work is an enhancing experience and they gain valuable cultural interaction they otherwise don't get on the regular tourist trails. There is also the satisfaction of leaving a positive impact in the countries they visit.
Though the option of doing an extended volunteer holiday is not for everyone, there are still valuable ways to contribute while travelling. Jonathan, an investment banker, went on a well-deserved holiday in the Philippines and, although he was unable to make the same commitment to a volunteer program like Jenny, he found many ways in which to return his host's hospitality.
"I originally booked myself into a really nice 5-star resort, thinking I'll spend my time drinking cocktails and soaking up the sun," he said. "But the resort was like an isolated country of luxury, with its own shops and tours and it just felt wrong."
So, after a couple of nights he opted for a change, instead staying in a family-owned guesthouse right on the beach, which turned out to be a better experience than he'd imagined. He utilised the family's knowledge in finding great local restaurants and in showing him around the less touristy sites.
"They took me hiking, canoeing and diving," he said. "I went on some pretty incredible trips with the local guides which I doubt the big tour chains even offered. I got to know the locals a lot better and it really hit home what a difference our travel choices make to their lives. I ended up helping out for a couple of days at a nearby orphanage, too, by cooking a few meals and buying a couple of toys for the kids – it ended up being the highlight of my holiday."
There are many ways to contribute while travelling, whether working voluntarily or choosing local services over international companies for accommodation, tours and restaurants. By being more socially conscious travellers, we not only gain more satisfying holiday experiences but also leave a positive impact on the communities we visit.
The Centre
for Volunteering [ABN 28 002 416 024]
Level 2, 228 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000
T: 02 9261 3600 | F: 02 9261 4033 | E: info@volunteering.com.au | W: www.volunteering.com.au