‘Voluntourism’ is a portmanteau of the words ‘volunteer’ and ‘tourism’. As the name implies, Voluntourism is the act of charitable volunteering while on vacation. In recent years, the practice of Voluntourism has become much more common in Asia and around the world. The aim of most Voluntourism is to help develop native communities through various avenues, such as conservation, education, and the building of schools and homes.

Experiencing tourism from a new perspective
Some volunteer to be immersed in the local culture and community while on vacation, and to have interaction with the local people. The experience that these projects offer differs vastly from the conventional vacations pitched to average tourists. Being directly involved in the local community enables learning firsthand, while also providing a more educational and meaningful experience that cannot be found in a book.

Learning new cultures and making a difference
Others go on a volunteer vacation to give back to the community, and also to make a positive difference to the lives of others. Through these trips, some people find that charitable work is their calling in life. Few things are as satisfying as witnessing the positive changes to the lives of others, knowing that one had played a part to bring about those changes.

Forming friendships among like-minded people
These projects can bring like-minded people together. With a common purpose and goal, the members who embark together on a journey share a common mindset that would lead to the formation of strong bonds between them. This team interaction is therefore a strong motivational factor for Voluntourism. The strong ties forged during these trips make the project even more enjoyable and worthwhile.

Forming bonds and imparting values
These trips can also aid in the education of the younger generation. When the ‘Voluntourists’ work with their children, they not only help communities but help their own children by imparting values such as selflessness and compassion. The experience also results in youths being less materialistic as they learn about the less fortunate in the world in the course of the trip. It is not uncommon for bonds to be forged between the families as they work together towards a mutual goal.

Different people volunteer for different reasons. In the end, it all comes down to a common factor – a rewarding experience and a lifetime of memories that inevitably come with every trip.

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