voluntourism is a phenomena which has graced, in particular, the Western World in

recent years. An amalgamation of volunteering and tourism, the term refers to trips
undertaken by the relatively well off which usually last between 1 to 4 weeks –
depending on how long holiday makers feel they can last under the “extreme”
conditions. These conditions are often located in Sub-Saharan Africa, in poor nations
(but not overtly poor) such as Kenya, where the savannah provides for scenic
photography, while the disadvantaged children at the local school provide a false sense
of achievement. In this essay I will articulate exactly why this sense of achievement
is misguided.

First, like any form of tourism, voluntourism is a business, and like all businesses, profit
is the main aim. Without looking, purposely or not, many people fail to see that the
companies with which they book do not have the charity registration number. Even if
they do, there is often little information as to where those funds really go. An £1,000 fee
paying for 3 weeks of accommodation; teaching at a local school; and an excursion or
two may feel like a bargain, but without realising it many people have simply paid for
another holiday, no different to any other they’ve been on, with the company’s CEO
pocketing the change.

You’ll argue, so money from the voluntourists don’t trickle down into the mouths of those
they’re trying to help. No one suggested it would! Right. The voluntourists are here to
make a change, to teach the disadvantaged children science, or maths, or English; to
build wells and dig holes and plant crops. That’s the positive difference they’re going to
make! The problem with this argument is that even if they could have made a ‘positive
difference’ with their Western skills and qualifications, no voluntourists ever stay long
enough to promote a significant enough change. In fact, a ‘teacher’ who stays for 2
weeks and then leaves is more likely to cause instability in a child’s learning than
anything else, which won’t benefit them in the slightest. If anything, it will cause
hindrance to their education. Furthermore, these ‘teachers’ don’t design their own
curriculum, so the content which the children receive would be the same whoever
teaches it.

This brings me onto my final point: voluntourism may boost the economy of a country,
but it similarly detracts from it. Like all tourism, this form will inject money into the
nation’s economy by buying souvenirs, attending events, visiting attractions, eating
food, using electricity etc. Unlike other touristic activities however, it will take away jobs
from locals – especially when pertaining to skilled employment such as in schools.
Whereas a local teacher could have taught with as much diligence, skill and drive as a
Western voluntourist, they are not given the opportunity because they do not have the
funds. As a result, the economy is, like every economy dependent on tourism,
contingent on foreign financial support.