What You Should Know About Responsible Volunteer Work with Children

The Importance of International Volunteer Work with Children

International volunteer work with children can have a profound impact on both the volunteers and the children they work with. Through cultural exchange, volunteers can gain a deeper understanding of the world and expand their perspectives. For children, international volunteer programs can improve education, health, and overall wellbeing. For example, in many developing countries, access to education is limited, and schools may lack resources such as textbooks and qualified teachers. International volunteers can help bridge these gaps and provide children with access to education.

International volunteer programs can also help children develop important skills, such as communication, teamwork, and leadership. These skills are critical for success in any field, and international volunteering provides a unique opportunity for children to develop them.

The Challenges of International Volunteer Work with Children

While international volunteer work with children can be incredibly rewarding, there are also significant risks and challenges. Irresponsible volunteering practices can perpetuate dependency and harm communities, particularly vulnerable children. For example, volunteers may inadvertently take jobs away from locals or provide services that are not sustainable without outside assistance. Additionally, volunteers may perpetuate harmful stereotypes or inadvertently exploit children by providing them with attention or gifts that create unhealthy dependency.

One of the major issues is the prevalence of irresponsible orphanage volunteering, which can cause harm to vulnerable children. Orphanage volunteering often perpetuates dependency and separates children from their families, leading to developmental and emotional issues. Additionally, it can create a market for child trafficking and exploitation, as some orphanages may recruit children to attract volunteers and donations. To address this issue, responsible volunteering organisations like GVI prioritise community-driven development and work with local partners to support families and keep children in their communities. They also educate volunteers on the potential harm of orphanage volunteering and encourage them to seek out responsible alternatives.

Responsible Volunteering with GVI

Fortunately, organisations like GVI have made responsible volunteering practises a priority. GVI is committed to community-driven development, which means that their programs are designed to address the specific needs of the communities they work with. This approach ensures that volunteers are working alongside local communities to create sustainable solutions rather than providing temporary fixes. Additionally, GVI’s programs are designed to empower communities, so that they are not reliant on outside assistance in the long term.

GVI also places a strong emphasis on cultural sensitivity and responsible tourism. Volunteers are trained to be respectful of local customs and traditions, and to ensure that their presence is not harmful to the community. This includes avoiding behaviour that perpetuates harmful stereotypes or creates unhealthy dependency.

Best Practices for International Volunteer Work with Children

When considering international volunteer work with children, it is important to prioritise responsible and ethical practices. This includes choosing an organisation that prioritises community-driven development and sustainable solutions. It also means being culturally sensitive and respectful of local customs and traditions. Here are some tips for individuals interested in volunteering with children:

Do your research: Before choosing an organisation, research their programs and approach to volunteering to ensure that they prioritise responsible and ethical practices.

Prioritise community-driven development: Look for organisations that prioritise community-driven development, which ensures that their programs are designed to address the specific needs of the community.

Be culturally sensitive: Learn about the local customs and traditions and be respectful of them. Avoid behaviour that perpetuates harmful stereotypes or creates unhealthy dependency.

Choose a sustainable project: Look for projects that are designed to be sustainable in the long term, rather than providing temporary fixes that may not be sustainable without outside assistance.

International volunteer work with children can be incredibly rewarding, but it is important to approach it with responsibility and sensitivity. Organisations like GVI have made responsible volunteering practises a priority, ensuring that volunteers are working alongside local communities to create sustainable solutions. By prioritising responsible and ethical practices, volunteers can make a positive impact on children and communities around the world.