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All "Volunteer Vacations" are Not Created Equal
by Michele Gran, Global Volunteers co-founder and vice president
The idea of combining service with international travel is taking its place as a viable mainstream choice in today's travel scene. Recent headlines herald "volunteer vacations" as one of the top travel options for 2007. But a recent TIME Magazine story questioned whether "do-gooder" vacations really help.
As more and more travelers opt for this type of vacation, so too the range of opportunities expands. But not all "volunteer vacations" are created equal. Global Volunteers urges prospective international volunteers to carefully choose programs structured primarily for the benefit of the host community.
When the term "volunteer vacations" was coined by travel guide author Bill McMillan in 1993, the book "Volunteer Vacations: Short-Term Adventures That Will Benefit You and Others" listed Global Volunteers and 79 other non-profit organizations.
Today, more than 2,000 NGOs as well as for-profit companies share the category of "volunteer vacations." But not all of these offer genuine human and economic development assistance to the people they claim to serve. Most well-intentioned volunteers may not realize that hastily contrived projects riding the current "voluntourism" trend can in fact, leave grossly unfavorable impressions in host countries -- and risk the wholesale reputation (and tax deductibility) of American volunteer efforts abroad. Continue with story here.
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Do You Have a "Pioneering" Spirit? Join New Portugal Service Program in 2008
The Iberian Peninsula was home to legions of different people and traditions since the early Middle Ages. Today, Portugal remains quite homogeneous in culture and language, while leaving profound vestigages of it's influence in South America, Africa, and Asia. Global Volunteers has been invited by the community of Beja, southeast of Lisbon, to assist with English language teaching programs. No prior teaching experience is necessary to successfully contribute to this NEW program, beginning in Feburary, 2008. Teach lively youth and eager adult students in comfortable settings. This program has not yet been publicly announced, so take a "sneak peek" and be the first to join a team here.
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"Seven Wonders" are Significant Side-lights in Global Volunteers Host Countries
The "new seven wonders of the world" were announced July 7, 2008 following a global poll to identify a list of human-made marvels. Six of the "Wonders" are located in Global Volunteers' host countries: Brazil ("Christ the Redeemer" statue in Rio de Janeiro), China (the Great Wall), India (the Taj Mahal), Italy (the Colosseum in Rome), Mexico (the ancient Maya city of Chichén Itzá), and Peru (the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu). While the sole purpose of Global Volunteers' service programs is to directly contribute to community development projects -- and thereby learn about local life -- sufficient free time is available in the evenings and on weekends of your service program to enjoy the significant cultural and natural attractions of the host country. Ask your volunteer coordinator about free-time options in the country that most interests you. And, be assurred that Global Volunteers strictly adheres to IRS requirements for full-time volunteering, permitting the tax-deductibility of your service program fee and related expenses.
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Ecuador Hosts 43 Volunteers to Celebrate 100th Team
by Ecuador Country Manager Maricela Miranda
A diverse team of first-time and "encore" volunteers from across the U. S. and Canada united in Quito, Ecuador in July to mark our 100th volunteer team in Ecuador! The standard two-week service program followed the traditional service agenda, but added many special events such as:
- A special visit to "La Compania" Church, which was opened at night just for Global Volunteers.
- A banquet and silent auction were held at a traditional restaurant at Old Town Quito. We enjoyed traditional music, and a delicious dinner with a traditional Ecuadorian drink (Canelazo).
- The whole team went to share a traditional "Family Dinner" with the two host organizations where there was dancing and other entertainment.
- The Global Volunteers Vice President, Country Manager and New York volunteer were interviewed by radio for national distribution. The goal was to make the Ecuadorian public aware of the work that the 100 teams have accomplished since 1996.
- During a visit to the General Director of multilateral politics and management in international affairs, the ministry offered us help with the documentation that will allow our organization to be recognized as an established international organization in Ecuador.
In addition, Minnesota Fox 9 Morning News Anchor Alix Kendall participated on the first week of the team, and packaged two TV broadcasts; the first which aired on August 22 and the second which is scheduled for Sept. 1 in Minnesota.
Twenty teams are scheduled for Quito and Calderon in 2008. For more information about serving on this program, continue here: Ecudaor Service Program
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Everyone Can Hug A Child or Paint: Consider Volunteering on Childcare Projects
Increasingly, as economic and political pressures weigh on our host communities worldwide, the programs serving poor and vulnerable children are severely affected. For instance, in Chennai, India, we work with the St. Joseph Service Center, and Assisi Illam, both orphanages and day care centers. The first teams at Assisi Illam reached out to the orphaned babies and younger children through games and loving care. Some volunteers also assisted the teachers and day care workers, and taught conversational English to the older children in the evening. As is so often reality with non-profit ventures, many of the facilities within these two campuses are in great need of repair. We made a major commitment to help renovate the dilapidated areas in the St. Joseph Social Service Center, which will absorb the effort and service program funds of several teams. We hope to make significant progress by year's end. If you have special labor or construction talents/skills/interests....please help us, and recruit others to join you! Additionally, we were enthusiastically welcomed at St. Thomas Hospital in Chennai. Health care professionals of all backgrounds are requested to volunteer at this new work site. Do you know any nurses, doctors, or specialists? Please send them our way!
Also, in the seacoast community of Salvador, Brazil, volunteers reach out to impoverished children of all ages in cardiac "houses" and a large urban day care center. Children from some of the poorest regions in Bahia State arrive with great needs throughout the year. Regardless of your professional skills and family experience, your patient arms and willing heart may be all that's required to ease the worry of an anxious child. Play games and assist at mealtime. Teach beginning English or read a story. It may not seem like much of a personal contribution to you individually, however, we know that early childhood intervention can make all the difference in a youth's future development. Consider all the childcare assignments scheduled worldwide throughout the year.
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Avoid Street Vendors When Eating Meals Abroad
Growing reports about tainted food, snacks and produce sold by street vendors worldwide underscores Global Volunteers' long-standing advice on staying health abroad: Wash your hands routinely, drink bottled water and do not consume food sold by street vendors. Your ability to remain healthy is a critical element to the success of your and your teammates’ volunteer experience. While it is not uncommon for volunteers to experience a bit of digestive upset as their bodies adapt to new food and water, most illnesses is preventable. Your actions will be one of the most important determinants of your health status during your volunteer experience.
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"We're links in a long chain of those who have come before
and will follow to help improve the lives of people around the world."
~ Bud Philbrook, Global Volunteers founder and president
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YOUR SUGGESTIONS ARE IMPORTANT TO US
Do you have specific topics you'd like to see in a future issue: Send us your ideas. Since 1984, we've worked alongside local people in every corner of the globe -- laying a foundation for peace through mutual international understanding. In mobilizing thousands of short-term volunteers, we've learned valuable lessons about honoring local customs, methods and perspectives. We hope to share what we've learned with you.
Please e-mail us: linkeditor@glovalvolunteers.org
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