Editorial
Actions Speak Louder
Three out of Western’s eight Alternative Spring Break trips were cancelled this year due to poor weather conditions, leaving many students without travel plans and missing a good chunk of the $1,000-plus they spent on their trips. Considering future mishaps could happen in the future, should Western students be spending thousands on a volunteer trip when they could simply send the money directly to international aid?
As with any charity, there is always suspicion about how your money is actually being spent. Where exactly did your donation go? How has your financial aid made a difference? On the other hand, if you have the money to get yourself to a country in need, you can see directly how you are making a difference and perhaps even encourage others to do the same.
Then there is the issue of people who just want to build their resumé or have the opportunity to travel. Even if the reasons you have decided to travel to another country and offer your assistance are self-serving, you are still helping. There’s also always the chance that getting out of the “Western Bubble” will open any student’s eyes to realize how fortunate they are to be the people providing rather than receiving the help.
All in all, does your mindset really matter? Admittedly, a passionate volunteer will likely contribute more than someone looking for an excuse to fly south. But still, every little but helps.
Then there is the question of whether to hop on a plane and hope for the best when you get there, or volunteer with a reputable organization. Groups like ASB can provide structure and security in foreign countries, and have the resources to send volunteers to countries that are not as popular a location. When travelling individually, exotic locations are often the most sought after, but organizations will put the country’s need for aid above its tourism appeal. Being alone is never a guarantee that your time and money will be used responsibly.
Aid volunteers from Westernized countries should also be cautious about carrying the attitude that these countries need our help. We should be careful not to impose our culture or assume we are better or more advanced. It’s important to keep an open mind and be respectful of other country’s traditions, and communicate with the communities that we are trying to help.
In the end, if someone is willing to volunteer their time and money to a cause, they should be applauded.
After all, it’s better for a few people to visit a country and only help a little — for selfish reasons or not — than have thousands of people join a Facebook group stating how sad they feel.
If your heart really does go out to these countries, then take action to make a difference, rather then updating your Facebook status.
Although I agree with you all that actions such as taking the initiative to volunteer in a different nation makes much more of a difference than mindlessly joining a Facebook group, I feel like this editorial fails to acknowledge one of the most problematic aspects of ASB.
The problem (as I see it) is as follows:
Students raise or pay out of their own pocket almost $2000 (or more) in order to visit and volunteer in a foreign nation for one week. This money, as the ASB website states, covers “the cost of your transportation, any registration fees with partnering organizations, meals, accommodations, team leader contributions and team t-shirts”. This means that the majority, if not all of the money goes into the UWO student’s EXPERIENCE in the country. The ASB website even states “We assure you we are working with our community partners to create a high quality experience for all students involved with ASB”.
This, in my opinion is extremely problematic. This is primarily due to the fact that this money would be MUCH better spent as a donation to programs in the country students travel to.
Think about it. $2000 funds a UWO student’s week-long experience. Of course personal experiences are important to motivate students to do more international volunteering in the future and to develop a stronger sense of civil engagement. And of course students help the localities that they visit. I am in NO way contesting this. That is the point of the program. However, that $2000, if *donated* could perhaps help the locals build a school or purchase medicine for a small hospital. That money could fund a local’s education so that they one day could become a doctor or a teacher. That money could help a local woman start her own business and provide life-long income for herself and her family. That way the money could go a long way. In 2009, 25 students traveled to the Dominican. Their trips, in total, cost $47500. Imagine how much of an impact that money could have had on the communities they visited. That money would change their lives… not their week.
I’m sure that one week of teaching orphaned children English in the Dominican Republic, or aiding people medically in Costa Rica helps those in the Dominican and Costa Rica. For one week. After the students leave, those locals must depend either on foreign aid or on themselves to raise money for their community projects.
In my opinion, one week of volunteering does not justify the $2000+ spent on the trip for a personal experience. Were students to spend a month or more in the foreign area, this money would be justified because although you spent a great amount of money getting yourself there, you help a great amount of people for a long period of time.
I am not questioning the intentions of students who participate in the ASB program. But, if the students and ASB truly want to have a LASTING impact (and not just a blip) on those in developing countries, the program should focus much more on raising money for the specific areas they visit rather. Ask yourself: am I doing this for the community or myself?
Another solution might be to split the program. During spring break, students could continue volunteering locally and in North America (like some of the students do, by volunteering in London, Winnipeg, Louisianna) and be involved in trips which cost much less than those to international locations. Another group of students who wants to do international travel specifically could volunteer during the summer for a month or more. That way students could still could have an engaging experience AND have a lasting impact on in foreign areas. And as well, that way students could REALLY get to know a foreign culture and have a more inspirational trip, as one week is a thoroughly inadequate amount of time to really immerse yourself in a foreign culture.