Elizabeth Brady, writing for AOL Travel, examined the many misconceptions that swirl around Cuba, travel and the volunteer vacation opportunity offered by Globe Aware:
It is a persistent misconception that Cuba’s rigid socialist government already provides a solid amount of social aid to its citizens, and travel to the island is challenging for those with U.S. passports. There are ways to travel legally to Cuba as a US citizen, and volunteers from the states can attest that voluntourism to Cuba is increasingly popular.
Programs are expanding, help is always welcome, and an important takeaway for participants is an in-depth understanding of Cuban culture and history. Volunteering is a rewarding way to see a country that is on the brink of massive change.
Catherine Greenberg, Vice President of Volunteer Communications at Globe Aware, which runs voluntourism programs in Cuba, says that the social and educational value of a trip to the island nation is greater for volunteers than beach bums.
“Most travelers go and stay at a resort, which doesn’t give you any real insight to the true beauty and challenges of the culture and the people,” she says.
Vacationers from the United States tend to write off Cuba as a non-option for Caribbean travel thanks to sanctions imposed by the U.S. But, Fidel Castro’s diminishing presence, and a potential loosening of sanctions (through initiatives such as The Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act) means we’re likely now seeing the final window of opportunity to visit socialist Cuba.
Take a look through the gallery below to learn more about Cuba’s prime landmarks, popular cities, and destinations where travelers are encouraged to volunteer their time.
Globe Aware was featured in a June article written by Lisa M. Dietlin, CEO of Lisa M. Dietlin and Associates, Inc., philanthropic advisor, author, for the Huffington Post.
Enjoy:
Making A Difference: The World of Giving — Voluntour and Do-Good Vacations
Posted: 06/ 7/11 01:12 PM ET
It’s summertime and many of us are thinking about our vacation plans. With gas prices still rising and travel becoming even more challenging, I recommend considering a Voluntour Vacation or a Do-Good Vacation.
Voluntour vacations or do-good vacations are fast becoming a popular way to plan your excursions and volunteer. Though Americans volunteer in large numbers annually, using a vacation into a volunteer opportunity is a new phenomenon that, surprising to many, is are often tax-deductible.
Here are some reasons to consider voluntouring on your next vacation:
Voluntouring is rapidly gaining popularity. Some studies indicate that as many as half of the people living in the United States intend to take a volunteer vacation at some point in the future.
Voluntouring is thought of as a “mini-stint” in the Peace Corps — you will be working with a community and its residents side by side. It is a unique way to give back.
A voluntour vacation is about helping and learning both in terms of aid, and cultural experiences. Most voluntours are taking place in Third World and developing countries such as Peru, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Morocco, Romania, Russia, Nepal, South Africa, Thailand, or Vietnam.
Remember it is very important, if you plan on doing this, to consider ways to respect and connect with the communities and people you are trying to help.
Your experience can last from 1 to 12 weeks.
Alternatively, Do-Good Vacations are money raising adventures combined with European vacations to Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Scotland and Spain and include nights in historic castles and visits to lesser-known areas. Do-Good Vacations are about traveling to a distant land, working with a nonprofit outfitter to raise money for a cause — unlike voluntouring you will not be working with the local community and its residents.
You can start by finding a reputable organization that works in the area in which you want to explore. Here are a few for a voluntour vacation:
- Cross-Cultural Solutions was founded in 1995 and has an outstanding reputation. Their tag states:
- “Volunteer Abroad – work side-by-side with local people and experience another culture like never before. It’s the experience of a lifetime.”
- They work with over 4000 volunteers annually, have a staff of more than 300, and work in 12 countries.
Globe Aware, which started volunteer missions in 2000 but has been working in this area since 1993, provides short term weeklong adventures in service, focused on cultural awareness and sustainability. Their tag line is:
“Have Fun. Help People.”
Their website states:
- All costs including air fare are tax deductible
- You need no special skills nor do you need to speak a foreign language.
- People can go solo or with families such as multi generational trips.
- Enjoy befriending people in new and interesting countries and experience the reward of helping them on meaningful community projects.
- Promote cultural awareness and promote sustainability; cultural awareness means recognizing the beauty and challenges of a culture, but not changing it; sustainability is the idea of helping others to stand on their own two feet; teaching skills rather than reliance.
According to USA Today, Global Volunteers is the:
“granddaddy of the volunteer vacation movement”.
Their tag line is:
“travel that feeds the soul”
Founded in 1984 and facilitated more than 22,000 volunteers on six continents.
You can teach conversational English, care for at risk children, paint, build and repair buildings, provide health care services, work with young children including infants and toddlers as well as teens, adults and elders.
Families, students, solo travelers, Baby Boomers and groups are the types of people that participate.
You can have an experience in Europe, North America, South America, Central America, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.
For Do-Good Vacations, consider these:
- For a Cause’s mission is to energize and inspire people to make a difference in the lives of those affected by HIV/AIDS and Breast Cancer so that no one faces these battles alone.
- The World Bank runs a program called Stay Another Day that directs tourists via a website and booklets to pre-evaluated activities that benefit the local community. For instance, vacationers can tour an orphanage in Cambodia, playing with the children and, if they wish, purchase goods such as the silk products the locals have made. The visit is free, but tourists are asked to make a donation.
Here are five recommendations and tips on easy ways to Make A Difference (M.A.D.):
- Find the best organization that matches your passion and has a long standing commitment to that area.
- Select a trip that suits your abilities and interests.
- Speak with volunteers who have been on the excursion before.
- If traveling to a non-English speaking country, try to learn the language or at least some phrases; even though it is not required, it is a great way to begin getting prepared.
- Research local customs and mores, but recognize that reality can be different from what you read in a book or online.
Bonus Tips: Expect none of the comforts of home. In other words, you will be “roughing it” so go with an open mind and see how your heart is transformed. It can be the vacation of a lifetime!
By taking a voluntour or do-good vacation, here are some benefits to you:
- You know you will be making a difference through your efforts.
- Studies show that volunteering adds years and health to your life.
- You will be traveling to places with unique cultures and in some instances, especially with voluntouring, you become immersed in the culture and community.
- Your trip could be tax deductible.
- You will make lifelong friends!
Doing something for someone else always adds value to our life! Consider adding a voluntour or do-good component to your next vacation! You just be might surprised at how vacationing can lead to making a difference! Are you M.A.D. today?
Spend Less TV put together a great video on Globe Aware‘s colunteer vacation program. The producer shows how you can travel for less than what it might otherwise cost you while also volunteer to help out in villages & towns all over the world. Some qualifying students may even travel for free.
Enjoy!
Charyn Pfeuffer, writer with Wyndham Worldwide, recently mulled over what motivates individuals to take volunteer vacations.
Her insight:
“Why on earth would you ever pay to volunteer?” is a question frequently asked in the do good-o-sphere. It’s a perfectly valid query considering some voluntourism opportunities cost upward of $1000 (and more) per week.
In my volunteer experience, I’ve worked with organizations – ranging from free (food and accommodations, too) to $1000+ per week. As to be expected, the experiences have varied greatly – from highly structured, impact-oriented programs to crossing paths with people whom have blatantly misrepresented themselves.
Personally, I’ve savored the projects where I put in a solid work week, but still have some free time to explore my surroundings, and when applicable, get to know my fellow volunteers. While the emphasis is still very much on service, this dynamic strikes the perfect balance between work and play and gives the volunteer an opportunity to step back and get some perspective on the work being done.
Until my recent voluntourism project with Globe Aware, I admit, I had issues with paying to volunteer. I mean, think about it. What is volunteering? At its very core, it’s giving one’s time without the expectation of payment for service. So, I had a difficult time understanding why anyone would pay vast sums of money to help out.
After my Globe Aware experience, the pay-to-play dynamic makes better sense to me. Here’s why: The voluntourism company has put considerable time into researching and developing its affiliations. Once it’s established a relationship, it must define and refine a program, so that the volunteer and the community being served have a smooth experience – from coordinating ground transportation logistics and creating a productive work schedule to incorporating cultural activities. The company also provides a built in safety net of sorts by providing travel insurance, orientation and pre-travel reading material, meals and an onsite point person.
For travelers who want to leave little up to chance, especially in a developing country or a destination where language is an issue, I can see the appeal of paying to leave the logistical legwork up to someone else. Ditto for inexperienced travelers who may be daunted by the possibility of an independent volunteer experience – there’s been very little hand holding at most of my low-cost programs. For families, I can’t imagine a better way to impart learning about the world and giving back to your children than to engage in a voluntourism project together. So despite the sticker shock of paying $1,290 to volunteer for one week in Costa Rica through Globe Aware (paid via a Travelocity Travel for Good grant), I was told that $1,135 of the fee directly went into community support and programs. That’s a much larger percentage than I expected when you consider overhead costs and marketing fees.
Would I do it again? Depending upon the time, place and project, paid voluntourism absolutely has its place. When it comes to my personal volunteer and travel style, I’m more a DIY girl, who will always eschew a guided tour for the possible serendipity of getting lost. But in many cases, especially when it comes to working with local communities, local insights, understanding and direction can be invaluable.
I’ve learned countless lessons about voluntourism along the way, including:
• Whether you pay $1 or $1000 a week to volunteer, a price tag does not correlate with what kind of voluntourism experience you will have.
• Research the organization and specific program as best you can.
• Ask to speak with prior program participants.
• Find out where your fee goes.
• And above all, approach every volunteer program with an open mind.Every experience boasts its pros, cons and a world full of unforeseen variables, and although I’ve yet to find the Little Black Dress of voluntourism programs, I’ve learned so much about myself and the world along the way.
Have you volunteered abroad, and if so, what type of work did you do? I’m curious to hear feedback from women who’ve engaged in both paid and unpaid voluntourism opportunities.