The Problem with Traditional Volunteer Trips (and why you should travel with Far Away Friends instead)
Volunteer trips can be a great way to make a positive impact on the world, but they can also create unintended consequences if not done responsibly. Here are some of the problems with traditional volunteer trips – and what makes a Cultural Immersion trip with Far Away Friends different:
Lack of cultural sensitivity - Many volunteer trips are organized by people who have little understanding of the local culture and customs. This can lead to volunteers imposing their own values and beliefs on the community they are trying to help, rather than truly understanding and addressing the needs of the people they are serving.
Dependency - Traditional volunteer trips often rely on the volunteers to do all of the work, rather than empowering the local community to take charge of their own development. This can create a dependency on the volunteers, rather than fostering sustainable change. Additionally, it often leads to volunteers performing tasks they are not qualified to do – usually things like teaching, or more dangerous tasks like building infrastructure – which can not only lead to poor results in the classroom or project, but can also potentially take away paying jobs from local people.
Short-term impact - Many volunteer trips are only a few weeks or months long, which can make it difficult to see lasting change. When paired with the kind of short-term or “quick fix” projects mentioned above, this can lead to a cycle of volunteers coming and going, without any real progress being made on breaking cycles of poverty or transforming the community in meaningful ways.
This is where Far Away Friends comes in. At Far Away Friends, we’re dedicated to designing a Cultural Immersion trip that connects travelers with communities in Northern Uganda in a way that is sustainable, respectful, and mutually beneficial. Instead of just coming in and doing work for a community, Far Away Friends provides opportunities for travelers to learn from and engage with the local culture, while also making a positive impact.
Far Away Friends also focuses on long-term, sustainable projects, rather than short-term fixes. This means that the work we do has a lasting impact on the community, rather than just being a temporary solution. You’ll also be invited to hear from local leaders across many impact areas about how they are transforming their own communities in partnership with Far Away Friends and our programs.
Overall, our Cultural Immersion trip is a great alternative to traditional volunteer trips. By prioritizing cultural sensitivity, sustainability, and impact, we are able to create a meaningful travel experience that benefits both the travelers and the local community!
