So you’re an idealist like me. You’ve noticed the huge disparity in wealth between those in developed states like the US and so-called “Third World” countries like many in Africa, Latin America, and SouthEast Asia. You decided to do something about it: You’re going to go on a trip to one of these countries to help out.
I commend you on your altruistic attitude and your initiative to do something about poverty. The thing is, if you set out with the intention of helping a group in the short term, you’ll probably fail. I’ve been on a service trip like this, one in which the main purpose was building ovens in a small village in Guatemala. I’ve also been on other, better trips to developing nations that were more beneficial for everyone involved. The thing is, what type of trip you go on matters a ton. Here are some things you should think about before buying that ticket.
Your money matters more than your time (in the short term).
Let’s look at the example of the Guatemala trip I mentioned. I spent a week there, three days of which were focused on service. I worked eight hour days those three days building ovens. I am by no means an expert in this craft, so let’s say my work was worth minimum wage here of $8/hour. That means I gifted the villagers of Xela, Guatemala with $8x8x3 = $194 worth of work. Even if I had worked a full 40 hour work week while I was there, I would have contributed $320 of work.
I spent $2,200, about 7 times that, to go on the trip.
If you’re not a highly skilled worker, your time isn’t going to matter as much to the people you’re trying to help as the money you spent to get there. That means that if your sole goal is to help the population of a third world country, just save the time and write a check. Had I sent the organization I was working in Guatemala with a check for $2,200, they could have given several people a decent wage job for several weeks, and built a lot more ovens.
If you still want to go on the trip for the experience you’re starting to get into the right mindset. If you’ve realized the trip isn’t the best way to your goal of helping people, either go with the better option, cutting the check, or change your goal.
Your own experience is a valid reason to go abroad.
It’s OK if your short term goal isn’t to help people. Even if you start donating all your money to worthy causes, it will be one drop in an ocean of effort needed to eradicate poverty. Instead, set your long term goals on doing all you can to help people, which means your short term goal should be growing yourself, and going on a trip abroad to learn about the culture and way of life there is a great way to do that. That just means a refocusing of your trip.
Before my trip to Guatemala, I went on a trip like this to El Salvador. Unlike the Guatemala trip, where I spent most of my time building things, I spent my time in El Salvador learning about the country’s recent revolution against their authoritarian government, current political climate, problems with gang violence, and way of life in rural areas through homestays, lectures, museums and festivals. This was a phenomenal experience for me, allowing me to grow in my knowledge and experience so I could better use my life to tackle poverty in the future. While I got glimpses of rural culture on the Guatemala trip, the focus on service instead of learning made it, in the long term, a less valuable investment.
That’s plenty for this week. Check back next week to hear about how service can still be used for learning, if done right, and some good things to have in mind at the end of your trip
