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Ours to Explore: Privilege, Power, and the Paradox of Voluntourism
In a 2014 essay that went viral, Pippa Biddle revealed the inequities and absurdities baked into voluntourism—the pairing of short-term, unskilled volunteer work with tourism. In the years since, Biddle has devoted herself to understanding the origins, intentions, and outcomes of a multibillion-dollar industry built on the premise of doing good, and she tracks that investigation in Ours to Explore .
The flaws of voluntourism have included xenophobia, racism, paternalism, and a “West knows best” mentality. From exploitative orphanages that keep children in squalid conditions to attract donors to undertrained medical volunteers practicing their skills on patients in developing regions and to those looking for an inspiring selfie, Biddle reveals the hidden costs of the voluntourism complex. Along the way, readers meet inspiring activists and passionate community members, as well as thoughtful former voluntourists who still work to make a difference—just differently.
Ours to Explore offers a plan for how the service-based travel industry can break the cycle of exploitation and suggests strategies for travelers who want to improve the places they visit for the long haul.
The flaws of voluntourism have included xenophobia, racism, paternalism, and a “West knows best” mentality. From exploitative orphanages that keep children in squalid conditions to attract donors to undertrained medical volunteers practicing their skills on patients in developing regions and to those looking for an inspiring selfie, Biddle reveals the hidden costs of the voluntourism complex. Along the way, readers meet inspiring activists and passionate community members, as well as thoughtful former voluntourists who still work to make a difference—just differently.
Ours to Explore offers a plan for how the service-based travel industry can break the cycle of exploitation and suggests strategies for travelers who want to improve the places they visit for the long haul.
- GenresNonfictionTravel
248 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 21, 2022
An uncomfortable read with an important message, at times obscured by awkward and heavy-handed writing.
I'm a white girl with some questionable experiences under my belt, too, so I was excited to happen upon this book at the library. Once upon a time I spent a thoroughly weird day volunteering in a hospital, during which I was offered the opportunity to attempt a spinal tap on a baby. I declined, thank God, and did not return the next day. It was a public hospital and apparently all the real doctors were off working in private clinics, leaving residents and who-knows-else to give it their best go. *Shudder*
These are the horror stories upon which this book is built. There are insights to be gleaned, and the insouciant 18-year-old kicking off to save the world can learn a thing or two here. But let's bring more nuance to a book-length treatment of the topic, shall we? Blanket statements abound.
Recommended for those interested in the problematic ethics of volunteering abroad, with a fistful of caveats.
I'm a white girl with some questionable experiences under my belt, too, so I was excited to happen upon this book at the library. Once upon a time I spent a thoroughly weird day volunteering in a hospital, during which I was offered the opportunity to attempt a spinal tap on a baby. I declined, thank God, and did not return the next day. It was a public hospital and apparently all the real doctors were off working in private clinics, leaving residents and who-knows-else to give it their best go. *Shudder*
These are the horror stories upon which this book is built. There are insights to be gleaned, and the insouciant 18-year-old kicking off to save the world can learn a thing or two here. But let's bring more nuance to a book-length treatment of the topic, shall we? Blanket statements abound.
Recommended for those interested in the problematic ethics of volunteering abroad, with a fistful of caveats.
April 25, 2021
I received a copy of this book throught NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fascinating book!
Biddle takes us through the history of voluntourism and it's global impacts. Biddle highlights her own experience with voluntourism and how her group did not do actual work to make an impact. This book talks about the colonial history of voluntourism and how it plays into white supremacy and even Christian privilege that continues today. We read stories and studies about how unqualified volunteers slow and hurt real effects and slow development and growth and how damaging having unqualified workers with children for short periods of time is detrimental.
It's a thoughtful and interesting read.
This is a fascinating book!
Biddle takes us through the history of voluntourism and it's global impacts. Biddle highlights her own experience with voluntourism and how her group did not do actual work to make an impact. This book talks about the colonial history of voluntourism and how it plays into white supremacy and even Christian privilege that continues today. We read stories and studies about how unqualified volunteers slow and hurt real effects and slow development and growth and how damaging having unqualified workers with children for short periods of time is detrimental.
It's a thoughtful and interesting read.
March 29, 2022
Although I think some of the assertions need more thorough support, and I would have liked more perspective from people who have been the recipients of voluntourists' "help," this book does an excellent job unveiling the harmful premises of voluntourism -- i.e., travel (usually from parts of the Global North to the Global South) by largely white and privileged tourists to take part in short term volunteer projects and positions.
This quote sums it up well: "...voluntourists are not wrong for wanting communities to have clean water, reliable healthcare, good schools, and full bellies. They, and the entire voluntourism industry, misstep when they presume that being able to book a trip, purchase a plane ticket, and fill a few duffel bags with items to give away, is the same as being qualified to deliver that assistance."
This quote sums it up well: "...voluntourists are not wrong for wanting communities to have clean water, reliable healthcare, good schools, and full bellies. They, and the entire voluntourism industry, misstep when they presume that being able to book a trip, purchase a plane ticket, and fill a few duffel bags with items to give away, is the same as being qualified to deliver that assistance."
April 13, 2021
I am extremely grateful to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book before its publication. I can't wait to to gift this book as soon as it is published and talk with others with whom I have volunteered. I have so many questions for my colleagues and for the group that sponsored my trips.
I can't recommend the book highly enough for anyone who has volunteered or plans to volunteer in the future. I was shocked at much of what I read. I had no idea what may have been going on "behind the scenes or after I left." I have volunteered twice - once in China for 2 weeks and once in Cuba for 2 weeks. I want to believe that what I did when I was there had a positive impact but now I am not so sure. This book has opened my eyes to new ways to look at voluntourism. It has shown me different perspectives to consider before booking another trip. If you are planning a volunteering trip, in order to give back, be sure to read this book first. A company well known in the travel industry has a slogan - "Don't leave home without it!" In this case I encourage you to not book a trip without reading "Ours to Explore". You will be glad you did.
Ours to Explore: Privilege, Power, and the Paradox of Voluntourism
I can't recommend the book highly enough for anyone who has volunteered or plans to volunteer in the future. I was shocked at much of what I read. I had no idea what may have been going on "behind the scenes or after I left." I have volunteered twice - once in China for 2 weeks and once in Cuba for 2 weeks. I want to believe that what I did when I was there had a positive impact but now I am not so sure. This book has opened my eyes to new ways to look at voluntourism. It has shown me different perspectives to consider before booking another trip. If you are planning a volunteering trip, in order to give back, be sure to read this book first. A company well known in the travel industry has a slogan - "Don't leave home without it!" In this case I encourage you to not book a trip without reading "Ours to Explore". You will be glad you did.
Ours to Explore: Privilege, Power, and the Paradox of Voluntourism
October 27, 2021
En el año 2009 Pippa Biddle se cayó del caballo (como San Pablo) y se dio cuenta de la mentira que estaba viviendo como voluntaria adolescente en Tanzania.
Cansada de no poder pegar ojo una calurosa noche de aquella primavera, salió a pasear por la comunidad en la que estaba trabajando como voluntaria en la construcción de casas. Cuando aún estaban empezando a salir los primeros rayos de sol, vio como los albañiles autóctonos estaban desmontando los muros en los que ella y otras compañeras estaban trabajando, para rehacerlos de nuevo de forma correcta. Así comprendió de forma directa y dura que el trabajo de los voluntarios no sólo no estaba colaborando en nada con las necesidades de aquella gente, si no que les estaban entorpeciendo, atrasando y creando doble carga a los trabajadores tanzanos de aquella comunidad.
A partir de ahí y bajo una mirada diferente, empezó a fijarse en la cantidad de obras y proyectos a medio terminar que habían sido empezados por otros grupos de voluntarios llegados antes que ella y que se quedaron sin finalizar cuando estos volvieron a sus países tras su periodo de ayuda.
Fue entonces cuando decidió investigar hasta qué punto el voluntarismo esta realmente ayudando a los países en desarrollo. El resultado tras años de estudio es este libro, cuya conclusión es bastante demoledora.
Lo que nos viene a contar Pippa es que existe un gran turismo de voluntariado, especialmente llevado a cabo por agencias que se lucran de forma descarada sacando tajada de la miseria, ofreciendo viajes a jóvenes para Africa o Sudamérica sin ningún requisito en particular, no hace falta experiencia o habilidad previa ni para participar de operaciones médicas. Igualmente grave son todas esas asociaciones religiosas norteamericanas que venden paquetes a muy elevados precios para jóvenes, cuyo objetivo real es la implantación de esa congregación y de sus creencias, más que el desarrollo de las zonas donde se establecen.
En esta tendencia podemos englobar términos como "fotogenia de la pobreza" o "porno de los desastres", en los que al final lo que importa a la mayoría de voluntarios es más la foto que pueda sacarse y subir a redes sociales que el efecto que su colaboración pueda aportar.
El libro narra de forma muy completa y detallada ejmplos relevantes de lo que es realmente este tipo de turismo del que pocos somos conscientes (ejemplos de voluntarismo médico, voluntarismo de desarrollo, enseñanza o los que dan lugar a los más alarmantes efectos negativos, los orfanatos). Para ello habla con todo tipo de interlocutores entre los que destacan antiguos voluntarios que tras sus vivencias personales se han vuelto críticos activos con este tipo de turismo. Explica muy bien los riesgos que supone esta nueva forma de “superioridad occidental”, “nuevo colonialismo” o “supremacismo blanco” en los países en desarrollo.
Finalmente, tras la exposición de sus conclusiones acaba dando orientación para un voluntarismo más efectivo apoyada por claros interesantes ejemplos que se están desarrollando actualmente. Es un proyecto a muy largo plazo, nada que un grupo “voluntariosos” jovenes puedan solucionar en pocas semanas.
Un libro muy revelador sobre un asunto del que a priori como sociedad tenemos una actitud positiva, pero que en cuanto rascas un poco en la superficie, sale una miseria desconocida.
Cansada de no poder pegar ojo una calurosa noche de aquella primavera, salió a pasear por la comunidad en la que estaba trabajando como voluntaria en la construcción de casas. Cuando aún estaban empezando a salir los primeros rayos de sol, vio como los albañiles autóctonos estaban desmontando los muros en los que ella y otras compañeras estaban trabajando, para rehacerlos de nuevo de forma correcta. Así comprendió de forma directa y dura que el trabajo de los voluntarios no sólo no estaba colaborando en nada con las necesidades de aquella gente, si no que les estaban entorpeciendo, atrasando y creando doble carga a los trabajadores tanzanos de aquella comunidad.
A partir de ahí y bajo una mirada diferente, empezó a fijarse en la cantidad de obras y proyectos a medio terminar que habían sido empezados por otros grupos de voluntarios llegados antes que ella y que se quedaron sin finalizar cuando estos volvieron a sus países tras su periodo de ayuda.
Fue entonces cuando decidió investigar hasta qué punto el voluntarismo esta realmente ayudando a los países en desarrollo. El resultado tras años de estudio es este libro, cuya conclusión es bastante demoledora.
Lo que nos viene a contar Pippa es que existe un gran turismo de voluntariado, especialmente llevado a cabo por agencias que se lucran de forma descarada sacando tajada de la miseria, ofreciendo viajes a jóvenes para Africa o Sudamérica sin ningún requisito en particular, no hace falta experiencia o habilidad previa ni para participar de operaciones médicas. Igualmente grave son todas esas asociaciones religiosas norteamericanas que venden paquetes a muy elevados precios para jóvenes, cuyo objetivo real es la implantación de esa congregación y de sus creencias, más que el desarrollo de las zonas donde se establecen.
En esta tendencia podemos englobar términos como "fotogenia de la pobreza" o "porno de los desastres", en los que al final lo que importa a la mayoría de voluntarios es más la foto que pueda sacarse y subir a redes sociales que el efecto que su colaboración pueda aportar.
El libro narra de forma muy completa y detallada ejmplos relevantes de lo que es realmente este tipo de turismo del que pocos somos conscientes (ejemplos de voluntarismo médico, voluntarismo de desarrollo, enseñanza o los que dan lugar a los más alarmantes efectos negativos, los orfanatos). Para ello habla con todo tipo de interlocutores entre los que destacan antiguos voluntarios que tras sus vivencias personales se han vuelto críticos activos con este tipo de turismo. Explica muy bien los riesgos que supone esta nueva forma de “superioridad occidental”, “nuevo colonialismo” o “supremacismo blanco” en los países en desarrollo.
Finalmente, tras la exposición de sus conclusiones acaba dando orientación para un voluntarismo más efectivo apoyada por claros interesantes ejemplos que se están desarrollando actualmente. Es un proyecto a muy largo plazo, nada que un grupo “voluntariosos” jovenes puedan solucionar en pocas semanas.
Un libro muy revelador sobre un asunto del que a priori como sociedad tenemos una actitud positiva, pero que en cuanto rascas un poco en la superficie, sale una miseria desconocida.
July 15, 2021
I received a free eARC from the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
[This review will be posted on my blog on 15 July 2021]
Ours to Explore is one of the most powerful and thought-provoking non-fiction titles I've had the pleasure of reading in the past few years. It explores the intersection of privilege, power, and voluntourism.
Voluntourism is broadly defined as a travel experience in which you spend some, or most of your time volunteering. The idea is that wealthy/Western people can spend part of their holiday doing good for the community they visit. The problem is that statistics and anecdotes show that this form of volunteering does not, in fact, really help local communities at all.
Voluntourism is the offspring of colonialism, and is really just the modern day form of it, wherein predominantly white people travel to distant lands to "help" the poor, backward local communities out of the goodness of their hearts. Biddle specifically links voluntourism to the "white saviour complex", as well as Evangelical Christian ideas of volunteering/proselytising. It is a result of privilege, and believing that good intentions are enough to help a community. Whether this mindset is a result of being wealthy and white, or whether it is driven by a 'divine purpose' makes little difference to the outcome, which is only positive for the one doing the "giving."
Voluntourism actually harms those communities it purports to help. For a start, many voluntourist travel packages are for-profit, run by companies who keep most of the profits for themselves, instead of investing in the local communities. Voluntourism takes away communities' power, and causes them to depend upon charity, no matter how harmful the outcomes are. Instead of encouraging sustainable development, directed by community needs, with local input into the process, the communities voluntourists visit are being disenfranchised.
Biddle goes on to explore three types of voluntourism in more detail: medical, educational, and orphanage voluntourism.
I was particularly shocked and disgusted by the practices surrounding medical and orphanage tourism. Medical voluntourism allows young, untrained volunteers to assist, or even lead, surgical procedures and operations. Many of which are performed in awful, undersupplied conditions. Many a young med student goes overseas to practice procedures on poor, coloured patients who have few other options. Ethics be damned. The author relates an episode where she was encouraged to perform a lumbar puncture on a small child without any anaesthesia, or any training whatsoever. If that image doesn't make you shudder deep in your soul, then I don't know what will.
Orphanage voluntourism is a whole other beast. Because there is a demand for such experiences, children are procured to allow voluntourists to act out their little saviour fantasies. Meanwhile, there are few protections for the children, some of whom are not even orphans. They are often abused, and the "donations" they receive are funnelled elsewhere, because the next batch of voluntourists want to see and experience the same thing. They want to 'help' the children, get a good poverty porn image for their social media page!, and feel good about themselves for helping those less fortunate than themselves. Except orphanages are harmful places for children to grow up, resulting in attachment disorders and other mental health disorders in the children. The lack of stability they need is not found in an orphanage setting, but because of the continuing cycle of voluntourists dropping in, other solutions that would benefit the child are not explored.
The book is not all criticism. There are some suggestions about ways to ameliorate the harms done by voluntourism. But the overall message is this: voluntourism cannot ethically continue as it has been up until now.
This is an important, and necessary book. I would highly recommend it to all those with an interest in volunteering, and those interested in modern colonial power relations between the West, and the 'developing' world. For anyone interested in human rights, and social commentary, this is a perfect addition to your shelves.
[This review will be posted on my blog on 15 July 2021]
Ours to Explore is one of the most powerful and thought-provoking non-fiction titles I've had the pleasure of reading in the past few years. It explores the intersection of privilege, power, and voluntourism.
Voluntourism is broadly defined as a travel experience in which you spend some, or most of your time volunteering. The idea is that wealthy/Western people can spend part of their holiday doing good for the community they visit. The problem is that statistics and anecdotes show that this form of volunteering does not, in fact, really help local communities at all.
Voluntourism is the offspring of colonialism, and is really just the modern day form of it, wherein predominantly white people travel to distant lands to "help" the poor, backward local communities out of the goodness of their hearts. Biddle specifically links voluntourism to the "white saviour complex", as well as Evangelical Christian ideas of volunteering/proselytising. It is a result of privilege, and believing that good intentions are enough to help a community. Whether this mindset is a result of being wealthy and white, or whether it is driven by a 'divine purpose' makes little difference to the outcome, which is only positive for the one doing the "giving."
Voluntourism actually harms those communities it purports to help. For a start, many voluntourist travel packages are for-profit, run by companies who keep most of the profits for themselves, instead of investing in the local communities. Voluntourism takes away communities' power, and causes them to depend upon charity, no matter how harmful the outcomes are. Instead of encouraging sustainable development, directed by community needs, with local input into the process, the communities voluntourists visit are being disenfranchised.
Biddle goes on to explore three types of voluntourism in more detail: medical, educational, and orphanage voluntourism.
I was particularly shocked and disgusted by the practices surrounding medical and orphanage tourism. Medical voluntourism allows young, untrained volunteers to assist, or even lead, surgical procedures and operations. Many of which are performed in awful, undersupplied conditions. Many a young med student goes overseas to practice procedures on poor, coloured patients who have few other options. Ethics be damned. The author relates an episode where she was encouraged to perform a lumbar puncture on a small child without any anaesthesia, or any training whatsoever. If that image doesn't make you shudder deep in your soul, then I don't know what will.
Orphanage voluntourism is a whole other beast. Because there is a demand for such experiences, children are procured to allow voluntourists to act out their little saviour fantasies. Meanwhile, there are few protections for the children, some of whom are not even orphans. They are often abused, and the "donations" they receive are funnelled elsewhere, because the next batch of voluntourists want to see and experience the same thing. They want to 'help' the children, get a good poverty porn image for their social media page!, and feel good about themselves for helping those less fortunate than themselves. Except orphanages are harmful places for children to grow up, resulting in attachment disorders and other mental health disorders in the children. The lack of stability they need is not found in an orphanage setting, but because of the continuing cycle of voluntourists dropping in, other solutions that would benefit the child are not explored.
The book is not all criticism. There are some suggestions about ways to ameliorate the harms done by voluntourism. But the overall message is this: voluntourism cannot ethically continue as it has been up until now.
This is an important, and necessary book. I would highly recommend it to all those with an interest in volunteering, and those interested in modern colonial power relations between the West, and the 'developing' world. For anyone interested in human rights, and social commentary, this is a perfect addition to your shelves.
August 31, 2021
The premise of this book is very good. It does convey a lot if information people need to think about. When I started it, I felt like it read like an academic paper or a textbook, and later found out it started as an essay, which makes sense. But as it went on, my only key issue is that while very in depth of adding some long history of tourism, and examples of bad projects and organizations, it doesn't really do justice to those organizations that do help and create positive change, or how you can really help, as you're not going to stop people from travelling or wanting to help. And I know that's hard, as the answer is not always the same.
As context, I have volunteered abroad for Raleigh International. And while not featured as any issue here - she has one paragraph about how conservation projects are generally well run, there were definitely young people who weren't fully on board to actually take on the work. Some of them were pretty spoiled and didn't quite understand, as one girl while we were living in a village on top of a mountain in Nicaragua, without electricity, complained to her family she needed more salads to eat. This when we were generally given plantains, rice and beans with some eggs for breakfast and they killed a chicken a couple times a week and a couple times a week we got tomatoes and cucumbers. But we had to explain why they couldn't provide us fresh vegetables constantly, given the land was not good for growing them there and the distance to any stores. Anyway, despite some people like that, I did believe that at least everyone had learned something, some far more than others. And some contributed far more than others. And I do believe the projects I worked on were well organized with the local communities, bringing in people to learn how it works and take on the responsibility of maintaining them after we left. The key thing is the need for people who want to do a sort of 'voluntourism' trip to educate themselves on the organization, the local community, the culture, work with locals about what is needed and not just treat it like a vacation. I have never had such a harsh 'vacation' in my life, but also have not had one which changed my life as much.
Overall definitely a good read for anyone who travels and wants to ensure they do no harm while experiencing the great communities that you can find all over the world.
Thanks to NetGalley for the free ARC.
As context, I have volunteered abroad for Raleigh International. And while not featured as any issue here - she has one paragraph about how conservation projects are generally well run, there were definitely young people who weren't fully on board to actually take on the work. Some of them were pretty spoiled and didn't quite understand, as one girl while we were living in a village on top of a mountain in Nicaragua, without electricity, complained to her family she needed more salads to eat. This when we were generally given plantains, rice and beans with some eggs for breakfast and they killed a chicken a couple times a week and a couple times a week we got tomatoes and cucumbers. But we had to explain why they couldn't provide us fresh vegetables constantly, given the land was not good for growing them there and the distance to any stores. Anyway, despite some people like that, I did believe that at least everyone had learned something, some far more than others. And some contributed far more than others. And I do believe the projects I worked on were well organized with the local communities, bringing in people to learn how it works and take on the responsibility of maintaining them after we left. The key thing is the need for people who want to do a sort of 'voluntourism' trip to educate themselves on the organization, the local community, the culture, work with locals about what is needed and not just treat it like a vacation. I have never had such a harsh 'vacation' in my life, but also have not had one which changed my life as much.
Overall definitely a good read for anyone who travels and wants to ensure they do no harm while experiencing the great communities that you can find all over the world.
Thanks to NetGalley for the free ARC.
March 22, 2021
Ours to Explore: Privilege, Power, and the Paradox of Voluntourism- Pippa Biddle
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
ARC from NetGalley. Publishing date 6/1/21
This book is an interesting look at the negative aspects of the “voluntourism” industry. The title caught my eye because I will be participating in a (secular) mission style trip to Uganda this year to help vaccinate dogs against rabies.
The book mostly focused on volunteers signing up for projects they are not equipped to partake in- caring for children in orphanages, teaching, working in medical facilities, building schools and libraries. The author shares her experience in Tanzania of laying brick for a building, only to see the next morning that the local workers had to come back and redo their work before the next day could continue. The disparity between the living conditions of the volunteers compared to those they were to be serving was eye opening. The parts about the abuse and neglect that go on in the orphanages who allow volunteers (in order to obtain more donations) were heart breaking.
“God doesn’t call the equipped; he equips the called.” This was the thinking behind a lot of the faith based (Christian) missionaries who were constantly, and unbeknownst to themselves, in over their heads.
This book did open my eyes to the problems that can arise from these types of trips- from the White Savior complex to Poverty Porn images. I hope to enter into my trip to Uganda with an open mind and heart.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
ARC from NetGalley. Publishing date 6/1/21
This book is an interesting look at the negative aspects of the “voluntourism” industry. The title caught my eye because I will be participating in a (secular) mission style trip to Uganda this year to help vaccinate dogs against rabies.
The book mostly focused on volunteers signing up for projects they are not equipped to partake in- caring for children in orphanages, teaching, working in medical facilities, building schools and libraries. The author shares her experience in Tanzania of laying brick for a building, only to see the next morning that the local workers had to come back and redo their work before the next day could continue. The disparity between the living conditions of the volunteers compared to those they were to be serving was eye opening. The parts about the abuse and neglect that go on in the orphanages who allow volunteers (in order to obtain more donations) were heart breaking.
“God doesn’t call the equipped; he equips the called.” This was the thinking behind a lot of the faith based (Christian) missionaries who were constantly, and unbeknownst to themselves, in over their heads.
This book did open my eyes to the problems that can arise from these types of trips- from the White Savior complex to Poverty Porn images. I hope to enter into my trip to Uganda with an open mind and heart.
April 26, 2021
OMG! When will it end? I can think of several people who have done this (teen and adult) and questioned them about everything from how they sought funds to sponsor them on their trips (everything from a week to a summer), to what exactly they did (sounds sort of like a roughing it vacation in some exotic locale when they "helped " indigenous people, while trying to make new friends with other tourists, while interacting with the local folks as big brothers and sisters and just observing them, or trying to "help them by aiding them set up markets for their goods in more prosperous countries (I won't name names, but the natives give you their crafts or foods, you bring them back and sell them state side,then use a good share of those sales to finance your next trip to South American country, or African country for a month. And you give the local crafter a small percentage of the sales. Then repeat. Nice vacation.) As bad as Begpackers. Thank you for writing the book, Pippa! It needs to be read by many. Congregations need to listen up! It's a total sham and should not be allowed. Do not contribute to this practice! It's right up there with missionary work.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
March 15, 2022
This book started as an article that went viral, and tbh, I think it should have stayed an article. While I'm 100% on board with the content of the book and completely agree with the message, it was so repetitive and academic (reads like a PhD thesis a lot of the time), I have trouble recommending this to people who would really benefit from learning about the harms of voluntourism. It seems like the author is just trying to speak to other people who already agree with her. I do agree with her and I had a hard time staying engaged (it took me almost a year to finish this short book).
She mostly focuses on the harms of orphanage tourism, while this could have been one chapter. At the end, she mentions that there are other forms of voluntourism that don't fall prey to the same pitfalls, like conservation programs. This was literally one paragraph....why wasn't it expounded upon to explain this more?
All in all, I think the book could have been half the size and would have accomplished more. I would recommend this to other travel industry professionals or avid travelers, but it's hard to recommend to the casual traveler.
She mostly focuses on the harms of orphanage tourism, while this could have been one chapter. At the end, she mentions that there are other forms of voluntourism that don't fall prey to the same pitfalls, like conservation programs. This was literally one paragraph....why wasn't it expounded upon to explain this more?
All in all, I think the book could have been half the size and would have accomplished more. I would recommend this to other travel industry professionals or avid travelers, but it's hard to recommend to the casual traveler.
July 1, 2024
A brief but thorough and compelling critique of voluntourism. Biddle's connects today's industry to its roots in the early short-term missions of colonial India and the Americas, breaks down the business model of trip providers, and illuminates the harm done by different types of service trips, closes with a look at changes that have started in the industry and further changes that could happen (while noting that the ideal would be for the industry to shut down). Throughout, the book is peppered with firsthand accounts from former voluntourists who became jaded and regretted their involvement with the industry, and the first of these is Biddle's own narrative. These accounts ground the big picture data in relatable detail and engaging narrative. Moreover, given that for many people this is a topic that meets with deep-seated emotional resistance ("But my trip wasn't like that! It meant so much to me!"), the humility that Biddle and her interviewees display is an encouraging example for the reader.
May 4, 2022
As a "voluntourist" myself, I related on many levels to this book. While I found it to lean slightly on the critical and cynical side, I do agree with many points the author makes. She did the research and she herself has reflected on how her time spent as a voluntourist impacted the community in which she served. I am in agreement that many programs need a complete overhauling. Short term missions can absolutely cause more harm than good, and lean towards serving the traveler rather than the community in which they are serving. Partnering with locals in a way that is authentic and allowing them to take the lead is central to solving a lot of the problems created by the global voluntourism industry. "Read, watch, absorb, act at home, and yes, travel. But travel as a student of the world, not someone hell-bent on saving it." Wise words that require true humility and openness. Willingness to accept that we are part of the problem is essential to being able to play a role in fixing it.
November 30, 2023
I read this book after traveling with an engineering company because it was recommended by a friend to help me reflect on my experience. This book is gut-wrenching, as one imagines the horrors that Americans and other Westerners have committed in the name of "learning" and "saving the world." This book is a great intro to the concept of voluntourism and frames it within history, something that is often left out in other works about voluntourism. This book is a great intro to learning about voluntourism. It's pretty short, simple, and doesn't prompt incredibly deep reflection. It also doesn't show you how to save the world without being a voluntourist or offering solace to people who have messed up in the past. This book feels like a conversation with a woman who has made mistakes and acknowledges that. I recommend this book wholeheartedly. I only gave it 4 stars because at times it feels a little disconnected.
April 14, 2021
No, it's not "ours" to explore, apparently. To be honest, I could not finish the book which is about people with good intentions or they are just naive, missing the mark as volunteers. Religion as a major form of colonialism is kind of old news. She cites few examples then uses them over and over. I have participated in a lot of ecology projects that have done good. She barely mentions this. She goes on and on about orphanages and I had some push-back on all the categories and apparently how to be a politically correct volunteer. I found the book tiresome and again, decided to move on to reading other things.
September 19, 2023
5 stars
I have found the topic of voluntourism fascinating for years, and I remember in high school AP Lang doing a research project and citing Pippa Biddle's article about the topic. This book expands on those ideas and digs deeper into the history of the industry, stories from ex-voluntourists, and advocates trying to reform the system. I think it is an accessible and thorough resource on the topic. I especially appreciated the end, which gave suggestions to travel companies and travelers on how to "do good" in an ethical way.
I have found the topic of voluntourism fascinating for years, and I remember in high school AP Lang doing a research project and citing Pippa Biddle's article about the topic. This book expands on those ideas and digs deeper into the history of the industry, stories from ex-voluntourists, and advocates trying to reform the system. I think it is an accessible and thorough resource on the topic. I especially appreciated the end, which gave suggestions to travel companies and travelers on how to "do good" in an ethical way.
August 10, 2021
Full of facts and thought provoking- this book reinforces that what we do in the world matters, that how we choose to do it has consequences, and that educational travel experiences are no exception. Colonialism, white privilege, and white supremacy are all pieces of the story of harm caused by short term stay altruists. An important read.
March 27, 2024
Muy interesante en algunos trozos pero repetitivo en otros. No sé si me ha gustado porque hace un relato pormenorizado de la historia del turismo y del volunturismo o porque refuerza mi opinión al respecto?
July 18, 2021
A wonderful argument against the current state of voluntourism and the dangers of continuing contemporary colonialism.
April 25, 2022
A fascinating exploration of the dangers, pitfalls, and frauds of voluntourism.
May 26, 2022
Should be required reading for anyone who wants to work overseas. Lots to think about without getting preachy. Loved it!
October 8, 2024
a very fascinating read, definitely suggest to read this before planning a “volunteering” trip.
April 1, 2023
An interesting and well written book, on a unique and compelling subject. This book will immediately become a must read for anyone who wants to better understand the issue of voluntourism. The book takes an open and honest self-reflective account from the author, who herself took part in volunteer trips when younger. The book provides a definition for voluntourism, and analyzes different kinds of voluntourism (child care, medical, "development", etc.) while also discussing the potential harms of each. Very well written an interesting book, fitting somewhere between academic research and well prepared non-fiction.
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