Voluntourism and “Empty Nesters”
Photo by Hasan Al-Sawa
Really have been enjoying the folks who are recently connecting with VolunTourism.org as first-time subscribers to The VolunTourist Newsletter. Just in the couple-plus weeks since we published volume 7 issue 4, we have subscribers from 16 different countries already dialed in for the next issue. One of these subscribers had this to say:
My husband and I are the parent’s of 5 children who are almost all grown and out of the house now. We have a history of volunteering in our community and would like to combine that with travel in the future.”
There has been much discussion over the years regarding Boomers and voluntourism; but very little has focused on “empty nesters” – those folks who are close to or have already dismissed their children from under their roofs into the great world beyond. These folks can be of very different ages – some in their forties, fifties, or sixties when the “nest” is finally emptied. And this is a very unique group of folks. Let’s discuss, shall we, what voluntourism might look like for these individuals.
Some Empty Nesters May Have Been Travel-Impeded
Depending on the size of the family (we note in this example, 5 children) some empty nesters may find themselves in a situation of having never really traveled outside of their home countries, due, perhaps, to the financial implications of moving, as in this example, 7 people about the planet. No longer impeded by financial limitations, or having these significantly reduced, empty nesters will definitely be seeking the “best-of-both-worlds” scenario that voluntourism fulfills – traveling and touring exotic locales while delivering meaningful service. These individuals will truly want to fit the characteristics of a true “VolunTourist.”
Empty Nesters May Very Well Have a “History” of Volunteering
When you think about a family situation like the one in our example here, one probably considers that the parents will have likely volunteered at the school(s) their children attended. They may very well have participated in sporting activities with the kids – as a coach or supporter for the team(s) on which their kids were members. They understand volunteering, not as a concept or as an offering, but as a fundamental element of their family’s structure. The service they provide has immediate returns for their family. Knowing what volunteering has meant for their families, they will also know what volunteering can mean for other families – no matter what culture or what destination those families may reside in. This knowledge can but only benefit and positively impact their efforts in an unfamiliar destination and support their fellow voluntourists and local residents in the process.
Empty Nesters Will Have “Skills”
I hear often, as I am sure that you do, the remarks about voluntourism questioning whether people have “skills” or not. If they have skills, then they can make a contribution. If they do not, well, that really speaks to the poor concept that voluntourism actually is. But, what I would offer to those out there who think of skills as a particular, work-related or work-generated set of skills, that a mother who raises five kids has a set of “skills” that could literally boggle your mind. She may have “patience,” for example, on a scale that is beyond the capacity of your imagining. She may have a quality of understanding that surpasses your conceptualization.
A father, on the other hand, may have the wisdom that comes only through the experience of moving five humans through the process of birth, childhood, teenage years, and early adulthood while maintaining a career or serving as the domestic engineer while his spouse brings home the paycheck. Can a volunteer application take such qualifications into account? Can a blogger who condemns voluntourism begin to comprehend what even a short-stint, voluntary service engagement with an individual like this can possibly create for a community, village, or urban environ?
Final Thoughts…
Empty Nesters are an intriguing lot for the voluntourism community, obviously, for many reasons. It is refreshing to see that a couple, like the one cited above, is interested to not only get out into the world and to see it and interact with it, but to do their part, to contribute in some small way.
So, let’s get busy out there, voluntourism community. Let’s see what can be done to honor the desires of a group of folks like these two; not that this isn’t already happening, but, perhaps, we can be more conscious about crafting programs which can truly meet these people where they are and give them the opportunity to put the experience of raising children to work in support of destinations across the globe.
“Would the Male Voluntourists Please Step Forward?”
Photo by Hasan Al-Sawa
Alexandria Boyd (@igniteemotion) posted the following tweet on 23 January 2012:
Can I meet a guy that is intelligent that loves to study other cultures, try new foods, travels and will volunteer abroad? Someone w/depth!”
Haven’t seen any responses to the tweet as of yet, but it certainly portrays, at least from one woman’s perspective, the ideal of the 21st Century Man.
We have long asked the question here at VolunTourism.org just exactly why it is that women are the dominant force in voluntourism. Where are these 21st Century Men that Ms. Boyd is looking for? What keeps men from getting out in the world and crafting an itinerary that is rooted in the notion of serving a destination? (Not that some men fail to do so, but the percentage is inordinately lopsided by comparison.)
The ratio of female voluntourists to men is approaching 4 to 1 in the most recent data we have collected from more than 2000 respondents to our survey. The number of male participants has slipped even further from our first survey results back in 2009 by a few percentage points.
To suggest that men are not traveling as voluntourists would be misleading. It is estimated that roughly 22% of voluntourists are male. Yet, if you are off on a voluntour with a group of ten people, you are likely to find a cohort consisting of 8 women and 2 men – and that’s if the averages hold out. Some researchers suggest that as the male population ages – moving from say a student to a thirty-something, the likelihood of the thirty-something individual being a voluntourist drops off. Is this something that should concern us? Or is it merely the nature of voluntourism experiences that tend not to men in the first place?
What Is The Obstacle, If There Even Is One?
We know that in surveys of volunteers in, say, the United States, that the percentages of female and male volunteers are much, much closer to one another. The “Volunteering in the United States 2011 Report” should be appearing any day now; but if we look back to the 2010 version, we find that the rate of female volunteering in the U.S. (29.3%) is only a few percentage points removed from the rate of male volunteering (23.2%). To give us more clarity about the volunteering habits of men versus women, here is an excerpt from “Volunteering in the United States 2010 Report”:
The main activity volunteer performed for their main organization was most frequently fundraising (10.9 percent); collecting, preparing, distributing, or serving food (9.9 percent); or tutoring or teaching (9.8 percent). Men and women tended to engage in different main activities. Men who volunteered were most likely to engage in general labor (11.5 percent); coach, referee, or supervise sports teams (10.2 percent); or fundraise (9.3 percent). Female volunteers were most likely to fundraise (12.1 percent); tutor or teach (11.5 percent); or collect, prepare, distribute, or serve food (11.4 percent).
We can see that there is a difference between the volunteering work that men prefer to engage in, versus women. This may be our first clue as to why men are not attracted to voluntourism opportunities on par with women – how many such programs offer opportunities to engage in “general labor” or to “coach, referee, or supervise sports teams,” for example?
Will This Trend Change?
In covering voluntourism for more than a decade, I can find no reason to suggest that this trend will change, certainly not anytime soon. Short of creating male-only voluntourism trips or developing programs that cater to the volunteer activities men are likely to perform in their home environments, the chances of a shift occurring seem remote. No voluntourism provider would dare alter their programming, lest women be alienated.
With the World Cup coming again in 2014, perhaps some voluntourism providers in Brazil could tap into the attraction of sports-based volunteering for men. This could build momentum into the 2016 Olympic Games, also slated for Brazil. In four years, we may have a better sense of whether or not this trend can and/or will change.
Voluntourism: “Exciting,” “Affordable,” and “Uncomfortable”?
Photo by Hasan Al-Sawa
We have discussed the innovation adoption lifecycle in the past. It is a unique insight into the human psyche and just how we approach innovations, depending, primarily, on our risk tolerance/aversion and level of education. Recently, we received the following comment from a subscriber:
Exciting, affordable opportunities to travel to exotic locales, get uncomfortable, and help make the world a little bit better than it was the day before.”
If we consider the different descriptions of the various types of adopters as identified in the chart below, this individual likely fits somewhere at the boundary of “early adopters”/”early majority.” “Exciting,” yet “affordable;” “exotic locales” and “uncomfortable” while “make[ing] the world a little bit better.”
What I would like to point out for a moment is that we can likely look at voluntourism adoption in two ways. There is the adoption of the overall concept – traveling for touristic purposes coupled with volunteering; this is followed by a more refined adoption of specific types of experiences.
Finding Your Voluntourism Sweet Spot
The individual quoted above strikes me as a fairly pragmatic person with some sense of adventure. “Make the world a little bit better…” speaks to a very pragmatic understanding that large-scale change is likely not to happen through a short-term encounter with volunteering in a given destination. However, “exciting,” “exotic locales,” and “uncomfortable” speak to the adventurous side – willing to push the boundaries of potential risk.
We all need to reflect on where we fall when it comes to our perspectives on things and levels of tolerance in relation to voluntourism experiences. This is not new, of course, as we have discussed it on numerous occasions. What we want to be aware of is the fact that more individuals around the world are coming into contact with voluntourism. We want to assist these folks in asking the important questions, such as: “Are we really willing to risk it all to volunteer in a remote location?” “To put up with the unexpected?” “To be aware that our ‘help’ may not truly ‘help’”?
Your voluntourism sweet spot will be located somewhere in the midst of these questions and your subsequent answers.
Embracing the “Uncomfortable,” But Not TOO Tightly
Moving us beyond the zone of comfort is a hallmark feature of voluntourism. Whether we extrapolate this notion from other experiences we have had and apply it to voluntourism or not, the point is, we all have a pretty good idea of what it means to be “uncomfortable” – emotionally, mentally, physically, and, obviously, spiritually. There is what we could refer to as a “healthy” area of uncomfortable for each of us. If we cross that line, then we probably can guess that things may not turn out so well.
In crossing this line, we also have to think of the implications for others – be it fellow voluntourists, residents of the local community, or the staff overseeing and coordinating our experiences. This is one of the items on the list of “most often overlooked or misunderstood” when it comes to voluntourism. Pushing ourselves into the “uncomfortable zone” can certainly be a worthwhile experience; when it affects others, however, not so good.
Final Thoughts…
We know that voluntourism, first and foremost, is about the voluntourist. This seems quite logical and expected. How the voluntourist responds to her/his recognition, or lack thereof, that taking care of oneself ultimately influences those around them – now this is the true crux of what voluntourism is all about.
If “exciting,” “exotic locales” that are “uncomfortable” definitely meet your criteria, whilst affording you the opportunity to interact with those around you at your highest level of competency, then your voluntourism experience is likely to provide benefits for all involved.
Voluntourism & Tribal Communities: Plus And Minus
Photo by Hasan Al-Sawa
A subscriber from the Philippines sent in a thoughtful comment this past week:
I would like to explore the benefits and know the downside this would have to our tribal communities.
First off, it is refreshing to receive a balanced inquiry such as this. Clearly, the comment demonstrates an understanding that there are indeed strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats where voluntourism is concerned. And running a SWOT analysis on voluntourism in tribal communities could make for an excellent exercise.
Fortunately, we can think about connecting with entities which are running programs in tribal communities around the world to get a sense of how these programs are faring. There are programs operating in Native American communities, for example. There are programs operating in Inuit communities, Mayan communities, and with the Pachamama communities in Ecuador. These represent good starting points for exploring the intersection of voluntourism and tribal communities.
What we also want to consider in relation to tribal communities is any traditions that are similar to voluntourism. In my work here in Jordan, we have discovered, as I have shared before, the concept of “onah” – which is very much rooted in tribal traditions. Moving from place to place during, for example, harvest season, and assisting other families within the tribe with crop harvest is a tradition that mirrors some of the aspects of voluntourism.
So, if we take these two points – identifying and reviewing existing programs in tribal communities and the traditions of helping and service which have existed in tribal communities, perhaps for millennia, we have the backdrop for forming a solid SWOT analysis of voluntourism for tribal communities.
There is something else, too. Some tribal communities, at least in relation to tourism, have established their own respective cooperatives to handle the business aspects of being a tourism-hosting community. Tribes considering voluntourism could do their own due diligence to determine if a cooperative structure would work best to handle the logistics of hosting voluntourists whilst simultaneously handling the aspects of running a business.
Honoring Customs & Traditions
Female worker at Holy Land Designs
When Dr. Jan Jones and I sat down with some of the academics here in Jordan and asked them about the challenges that voluntourism would pose for tribal communities in the country, one of the recurring responses was the concern regarding customs & traditions. Would female voluntourists, for example, understand the importance of covering themselves in these communities as a means of honoring this long-standing custom, especially during the hotter periods of the year, regardless of their own personal opinions about the practice? Would they be comfortable with being separated into male and female groups to eat meals, as another example? Would they be able to overcome any offense to the men in communities not wishing to shake their hands?
What Dr. Jones and I took from these conversations with academics, a number of whom either still lived in villages around the campuses where they taught or regularly visited family in these villages, was that real fears do exist for community residents in relation to an influx of visitors – regardless of whether their purpose/intention is service-based, purely touristic, or a combination of the two. Obviously, no tour operator or NGO can guarantee that voluntourists will honor the customs & traditions of destinations. These entities can provide a list of “cultural do’s & don’ts, detailed orientations, and even additional reading and discussions to emphasize the importance of honoring tribes; ultimately, however, it is up to the voluntourist to follow through on these.
Can tribal communities entrust the honoring of their customs & traditions to perfect strangers?
This is one item appearing on the list of the potential downside of voluntourism.
Exploitation – consciously or unconsciously manifested – by voluntourism operators is another consideration, but tribes may be better suited to address such challenges if they set up as a cooperative. It should be pointed out, however, that the potential for exploitation is not limited to the relationship between voluntourism operators and tribes. Exploitation can also occur within the tribe, and must be guarded against from the beginning by making sure that, as an example, revenue-distribution is handled accordingly.
Final Thoughts…
Naturally, when we consider the relationship between voluntourism and tribal communities and the upside and downside of this potential relationship, we must keep in mind that all stakeholder relationships are subject to the upside and the downside of this type of travel. Tribal communities will not be able to account for all of the variables involved and try to exercise control over each one. What they can do is be very explicit about the overall nature of the relationship they are seeking and the purpose behind why a tribe would consider adopting voluntourism.
Tribes have the power to establish the nature of the relationship they wish to have with voluntourism and the stakeholders associated therewith. The tribe has to monitor this relationship – evaluate and modify accordingly and, of course, be willing to sever ties with voluntourism if wisdom dictates such a move.
Talk to tribes who are hosting voluntourists as a first step. Check in North America, South America, Africa and elsewhere in your fact-finding efforts. And if you feel like sharing what you discover, send us an email.
How Can We Better Support Grassroots Voluntourism?
Photo by Hasan Al-Sawa
The Global Economic Crunch has provided a necessary catalyst for individuals to get out there and do things differently. Some people who have found themselves summarily dismissed from six-figure salaries, for example, are transforming that experience into inspirational fuel – fuel that drives the vehicle of their creativity, service, and love for adventure. These voluntourism nucleotides are generating the foundational DNA for unique programs integrating voluntary service and travel & tourism the world over. However, they face the mounting challenge of an ever-increasing number of programs – ones that are equally compelling, perhaps better marketed. Is there something that can be done to support these grassroots voluntourism efforts?
The Potential Role of the DMO
Destination marketing organizations (DMOs) have what I think is a tremendous opportunity on the horizon – showcasing voluntourism programs in and around their respective destinations. There are so many aspects to a voluntourism program that a DMO can relate to – whether it be for its core, direct stakeholders or the general public and indirect stakeholders. Telling the story of these programs generates unique content for DMO websites and affords readers a very different view of a destination.
Pando Projects – A Possible Model for Supporting Grassroots Voluntourism Efforts
If you have not heard of Pando Projects, then you might be interested in taking a look at the premise behind Milena Arciszewski’s inspiration. There are a couple of elements of the program that could be applicable for grassroots voluntourism efforts. First, the focus on individuals, millennials primarily, as the beneficiaries of the services provided by Pando. How many emails we receive here at VolunTourism.org from individuals who are seeking guidance as they strive to launch a new voluntourism initiative. This type of approach could prove very beneficial.
Second, Pando stresses technological advances. Of course, as technology improves there is a chance to help local efforts in even the most remote of destinations. Such investment seems very worthwhile and potentially empowering for local residents.
Educating “Would-Be” Voluntourists
I have spoken before about the importance of going with small-scale operations, highlighting, for example, the chance of interacting with the founder of a program and what this can mean for individuals – whether they are experienced or novice voluntourists. Grassroots tends to emphasize low overhead while striving to maximize the direct impact at the local level – compelling points for participation by those who wish to make a real contribution through their voluntourism experiences.
Photo Courtesy of La Confluencia
The more voluntourists know regarding to what degree their involvement can be meaningful for the outfit they choose to organize their experience with, as well as the local community, the better their decision-making process will become. They can begin their service long before they actually set foot in a destination, in other words.
Final Thoughts…
Grassroots voluntourism is starting to flex its muscles around the planet. Inspired individuals are mixing yoga and voluntourism, for example, or cooking and voluntourism, or dance and voluntourism, or art and voluntourism. These efforts are being birthed in communities all over the world and are not relegated to the oft-touted and critiqued Global North developing programs to move people to the Global South.
These “start-ups,” if you will, do need to be aware, however, that they have a role to play as well and that is to share what they are doing. Giving them a platform to do so, is the other side of the proverbial coin, of course. But we need to hear from them and those of you who are either involved in launching these efforts or have participated in them as a friend or family member.
Grassroots Voluntourism has always struck me as a real opportunity for families, particularly after I spent some time with the Jordan Family in Argentina a couple of years ago at La Confluencia. Not everyone is looking for a tax deduction to travel and volunteer; those who can do without such fringe benefits, will find grassroots voluntourism experiences incredibly rewarding.
Here’s hoping that you make the acquaintance with such a program in 2012!