'Voluntourism' - A Vacation Guide to Global Crisis Hotspots

What with global warming and poor oversight of dirty industries, there ought to be a LOT of volunteer vacation opportunities ahead!




WSJ - Money: JUNE 27, 2010.

When Shannon Mancuso decided to take a trip to Peru this past spring, she wanted to find a way to immerse herself in the country's culture while tapping into her skills as a social worker.

Two years out of graduate school and living in New York, Ms. Mancuso was short on time and money so she chose to go on a trip that could combine volunteerism and travel in the same week. "You get the best of both worlds," she says.

Known as "voluntourism" or service travel, a growing number of people are combining volunteering with a vacation. Organizations that run these trips report an uptick in the number of new volunteers and inquiries, particularly after a round of natural disasters and global events that have inspired travelers to want to help out during their vacations.

With hundreds of programs to choose from, it's crucial for travelers to do their homework before they take off, says Genevieve Brown, executive director of the International Volunteer Programs Association, an association of nongovernmental organizations involved in international volunteer work and internship exchanges.


cont'd

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB127758287077410981.html?mod=WSJ_PersonalFinance_PF4




I think BP executives know where to go for THEIR 'Voluntour' vacation.

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How To Vet A Charity:

Before signing up, do some homework on the nonprofit you'll be "working" for on your vacation.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB127760261191211007.html?KEYWORDS=how+to+vet+a+charity