Looking to impact women in an indigenous culture that your tourism dollars may not reach?

Travelers go to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro or safari in the Serengeti, yet your tourism dollars may not benefit the country’s Maasai nomads, particularly the women.

While tourism has begun to bring this tribal culture to the limelight, Maasai women remain economically oppressed with very limited economic or job opportunities from tourism.

A recent New York Times article on volunteerism raised the question whether voluntourism – travel and do good abroad – is “simply an act of of affluent tourism masquerading as community service?”

This skepticism is not new. Variations have been circulated by critics and cynics of voluntourism who say that if you truly have the desire to help, why not just volunteer at home, in your local communities.

How does one get involve with travel philanthropy? There are so many opportunities to exercise philanthropy for a destination. Some will involve travel. Others simply can be done from wherever you are, yet impact destinations far away. In Part III of our three-part series (see Part I and Part II) on travel philanthropy, we look at 10 great sources for philanthropic travel and connecting with community projects.

Are you looking for an opportunity to volunteer in rural China and see the real China close-up?

Aston Language Center offers volunteers the opportunity to teach English in schools in Wuhu, China for FREE. There are no program fees PLUS Aston will provide free accommodation, transportation, and access to free Mandarin lessons during your spare time. You will need to pay your own international airfare and get a visa for China.

We conducted an informal poll on our website to find out our readers’ interest, preference, and experience with philanthropic/volunteer travel. Here are the results…

Want to satisfy your wanderlust cravings and do some good at the same time this spring break?
A surge of alternative spring break (ASB) trips have emerged in the last few years to satisfy a growing number of socially-conscious young people and those who are no longer happy with the typical spring break party vacations. Opportunities are plentiful. There are numerous destinations and ample ways to contribute and do something meaningful and gain insights into community and environmental development. You can volunteer in a low-income school, help out on an archaeological …

Thinking of traveling a little differently this year? Are you looking for a truly unique and meaningful experience? Get inspired to make a difference in your travels!
Street Kids, Burundi
This kicking rap video was a collaboration between three Italian travelers and the street children of Bujumbura, in Burundi. This is their story. So where’s Burundi? Glad you asked! Burundi is located in East Africa, bordered by Rwanda, Tanzania and Congo. It has fantastic beaches, beautiful lakes and ancient forests.

Volunteer Abroad – Zambia
Volunteering in Zambia provides a great opportunity to make life-long …