I can only speak from my own experience, but I feel the need to say something because I cannot ignore how my experiences have made me feel. I have gone on two volunteer trips with IVHQ – a for-profit volunteer organization – and have met amazing people and have been exposed to diverse cultures that have forever changed my perspectives. However, these experiences did not come without any issues. I've noticed that some of IVHQ's policies have the potential to bring harm to communities which is a problem that may sound surprising to some. You might think, How could volunteering bring harm?
Short Term Volunteers are Often Ineffective
Firstly, short-term volunteers are often ineffective. It takes quite a while to adapt to a completely different country, where you arrive not knowing the language, culture, or customs. It can take weeks to even begin to understand a community and its problems which is why volunteers should be required to stay for a longer amount of time. I understand that not all volunteers have the time or money to come for long periods of time; however, because of the potential harm short-term visits cause to communities – especially communities of children – I believe it is best to require more time from volunteers. Additionally, by requiring more time, volunteers that may have misguided intentions will be more likely to deeply consider the commitment they are making; if a potential volunteer has to invest more time, energy, and money into a project, it's reasonable to believe that they will be more sincere and therefore more effective.In 2017, I went to Tanzania for two months and that was still simply not enough time in my eyes, and one of my biggest regrets is that I didn't stay longer and do more. Volunteers need to spend time learning about the children they are meeting. Too often volunteers do not even attempt to learn the children's names, and make little effort to establish trust with each individual child. It is common for volunteers to take pictures with children they do not know. This can oftentimes be exploitative, as it can make children feel like tourist attractions rather than human beings, which is hurtful to their self-image. A revolving door of uncommitted volunteers is not what these children need. They need people willing to invest in them.
Have Volunteers with Relevant Experience to their Project
Next, I believe volunteers need to come with relevant experience to their projects. I find that too many volunteers cannot help the communities they've committed themselves to because they simply do not possess the skills to do so. I, personally, know I have been guilty of this as well. I thought that having experience with children was enough to prepare me for a daycare in Tanzania, but I simply could not give all that I wanted to give. Volunteers need, at the very least, experience working with kids or a background in education or childcare. If a volunteer is teaching English, a TEFL certification should be required. Even if a volunteer is a native speaker, that does not necessarily equip them with the knowledge and skills that are essential for language teaching; too often, volunteers do not know how to actually teach the language. By requiring more experience relevant to a person's project, it will make potential volunteers think about their intentions and their level of dedication: Is volunteering truly something they are passionate about? Is it something they're doing to look good to others? Is it just something they want to put on their resume?
Monitor Volunteers Not Doing the Work
Too often, volunteers are still allowed their place in the program even if they rarely (or never) go to their work placements and spend too much of their time at home. I understand that volunteering is mentally draining and that work can be hard. I know firsthand that it can take a toll on mental health; however, I have seen volunteers who come and purposely miss placement for several days in a row and even several consecutive weeks just because they've stayed out drinking the night(s) before, or simply because they do not understand the potential harm they are causing by saying they are committed to their placements and then not showing this through their actions. In these instances, I feel the directors should be required to say something and remind these volunteers of the commitment that they've made. If you are sick or have been physically hurt, then yes of course stay home because you need to put yourself first, and if this is the case then there needs to be more open communication between placements and volunteers. I understand that funding comes from reviews of volunteers which is often why these local organizations feel as though they cannot say anything that may upset or offend these volunteers. IVHQ's policies need to change to help these local organizations and ensure that these disrespectful and unproductive actions will no longer happen.
Monitor Corrupt Placements
Lastly, IVHQ should monitor placements and projects more closely. Oftentimes, placements are corrupt and exploitative of children, so even volunteers with good intentions are brought into corrupt placements that put children in horrible conditions with the intention of gaining more volunteer support. I have heard too many stories of donations being given to placements that are then stolen or sold, with none of the money or donations ever reaching the children. I understand that not all organizations operate in this way and most do not take advantage of people's generosity to this extent, but the reality is that these corrupt and dishonest placements do exist.
Not All Volunteers are Harmful
These would be the first of many steps to take in order to create projects in these communities that are more beneficial, sustainable, and conscientious. I have met many volunteers who have truly wonderful hearts and have deeply committed themselves to their projects and invested a lot of genuine effort into their work, even without having a lot of skill or time. But too often I have met volunteers who have misguided intentions or have acted selfishly simply because IVHQ allows almost anyone come into these communities. I truly do not believe that all international volunteering is bad; if I believed that I wouldn't be doing it. Volunteer-traveling can offer an opportunity to expand your horizons, share and learn about different cultures, be of service to others, make lifelong friends, and gain a new understanding of the world. When international volunteering is done right, its effects are rewarding and valuable to both the organization and the volunteer. But in order for IVHQ and its volunteers to truly do right by the people and projects they are aiming to help, policies need to be changed, and what has been allowed in the past should not be allowed in the future.
