Ok, so I have been seeing a lot of articles floating around about volunteerism and it's negative effects. I'm really glad these are being shared, because seriously, it is having a lot of negative impacts and I think people didn't realize it. But I am somebody who really gets frustrated when we only talk about what not to do, or the problem and not what TO do and the solution.
I have been living amongst a poor tribal people for almost a year and half, but have been involved with them since 2012. I married into their tribe too, which honestly breaks down a lot of walls, and has allowed me to get closer. There is this facade that comes up between the local "poor" and foreigners, because I'm here day in and day out, I've seen the facade put on, and taken off. With my humble experience (I still have a lot to learn) here are some suggestions of how to do make an impact positively even if you can't stay somewhere long term, as well as some things to be wary of. These would be things we would discuss with anybody who would want to come see us and this is also based on what I see on in our community.
1. If your going to do a short term trip, go SEVERAL TIMES to the same place. Build a long term relationship even if you can only come for a short term. Long term relationships can really positively impact the people, it shows your committed to them and don't forget them. Any time I've had somebody come once, then come again, it's crazy the trust that is built. If you wanting to bounce around different places to see more sites, then call that what it is, tourism not helping.
2. Come in very small groups. I'm taking like 3-4 people is best (2 is ideal). The more white people the more intimidated the locals sometimes are, you become more unapproachable and it's easier for you to remain in your comfort zone with your friends rather then pursue relationships with locals.
3. Really bring a skill to the table and train a local. If you really have knowledge that you know the people there don't have, don't go and steal their work, but TRAIN locals in a lasting way so THEY can have work and access to knowledge they didn't have before. If you don't have a super useful skill to offer, then rethink spending thousands of dollars. But if you do have a skill that the long term worker needs, go out and help. We would really want agriculturalists/horticulturalists, coffee experts, and coaches, those are super helpful things to build the community and our people (and us) can benefit from your training. Each community may have different needs, but communicate with somebody on the ground to see if your skills are needing in that area.
4. Learn the people and culture. I'm not talking about read a Lonely Planet book about it. I'm talking about seriously taking time to observe and learn before you assume anything about them. I have been living with the Khmu tribe for awhile now, and still they surprise me. So maybe talk to somebody who does work with the people long term and follow their lead. So many people come to poor communities assuming they know something about them, they teach in a way that isn't received, they give in a way that isn't helpful (the people are usually too polite to point these things out, so the foreigner doesn't know) and waste a lot of money and time. Also if the trip is truly about the people and not you, but humble and take it slow. That is where the going several times is also useful, the more times you go the more you learn. Cultures and people are so complex, it takes awhile to really know what's going on beneath the surface.
5. Don't have an agenda and pour into the long term worker. The best trips I've ever seen are when people go knowing a contact on the ground, and pour into the person that is doing community work long term. My Farmer and I want you to come out and see us to learn about his people, see what we are doing and honestly....just pour into us. Let us pour into these people, because we are here day in and day out. That doesn't mean you can't interact with them, but don't come with some agenda to teach or to share or hand out stuff and make a giant impact with them in a week. Also when we have people wanting to do a packed agenda, it stresses us out and wears us out, doesn't fill us.
6. Don't bring stuff for the people (unless otherwise instructed by the long term worker/contact) bring stuff for the long term worker. If you want to go to a poor community and hand out clothes and soaps and stuff, it's so kind and I see the heart. But handouts sometimes make the poor feel lower, like they are bottom feeders, can kill local economy, and usually only temporarily helps them (the soap will be gone in a few days). Bring useful tools for the long term worker, that will help the community as a whole. We have had some amazing things brought for us that really helped us with our projects (projectors, terabytes, curriculum, school supplies, sports supplies, coffee stuff etc). Things that are long lasting and we can't get here.
7. Spend less time taking selfies and more time listening. Impoverished people feel un-heard, and un valued. So when you take time to really sit down and listen to their story, ask them to share with you THEIR skills, it really brings them up out of their impoverished mindset. I remember when my sister came for my wedding and just sat with one of the ladies and helped her cook. The lady was so proud to show and teach my sister something, and it was a bonding between women. Or when our friends from Seeds came and spoke to the farmers about business, dealing with them as respected partners not poor people they were trying to help. They swapped stories over coffee for hours, the people value our Seeds family so much. And they have returned several times.
8. Embrace the culture where you are. Don't be high maintenance, sleep how the people sleep, eat how they eat, don't make them feel like you are "so roughing it" because this is their everyday. The only thing I excuse a foreigner from is water, get bottled so you don't get sick. When people are high maintenance it stresses our people out, or embarrasses them because they feel their circumstances aren't up to your standard. We just recently had a lady we didn't even know come and she adjusted so well, ate everything (that made them so happy) and just humbly learned. It was a great trip.9. Lastly, if you make promises with a local, keep it. Like "I will come back." or "I will help with this project." Don't say it unless you mean to follow through.
So, hope this was helpful, don't let these articles warning about volunteerism stop you from getting involved or helping, but educate yourself and help the right way, because helping the wrong way DOES have a serious negative impact on you and them. Avoid big organizations, be selfless. I've learned that most times when we truly help others it's by real sacrifice. But there is a wrong way and a right way to help and I've seen both. Happy traveling!
Very good perspective and tips.
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