The volun-tourism scam

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Bubba_Switzler

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Passing through the San Francisco airport recently, I ran into a couple I know who were waiting to pick up their teenage children. “Coming back from camp?” I asked.
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They responded with a gaze that could curdle milk into yogurt. Their kids were coming back “from their service trip to Guatemala,” their mother informed me. “It was a wonderful volunteer experience, they really are improving lives.” Gee, and I thought my kid was doing well by working at Jamba Juice this summer.
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A little digging turned up some information about these service trips. One is called the Global Leadership Adventure: Children of the Maya. “Volunteer at a Maya school, attend a ceremony with a Maya shaman,” the website reads. You’ll receive 30 hours of community-service credit—also known as college-application fodder—for only $2,999. For $200 more, head to Ghana for two weeks to “improve local health and living conditions, live just steps away from the beach.” What about investing the same $2,999 in Guatemalan entrepreneurs? Fat chance. Volun-tourism is charity for the giver.
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online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324853704578589902110093308.html

Not for me! My kids are selling indulgences door-to-door this summer.
 
There is a local Presbyterian Church that was always trying to raise money to send their students on mission trips to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. 😛

On the other hand, I know there are actual real mission trips that are doing real good. My parish sponsors a medical mission to Haitii twice a year. They don’t take any kids though.
 
I would respect these fancy trips more if they actually dealt with non-Christians and did real missionary work.
 
I think the Presbyterian group take the kids to work in a soup kitchen in between the beach and Disney World.
 
I live in a rural area which a few years ago was hit by bad weather. There were eccesial community groups which brought kids down to help fix up houses that had been damaged.

And the electrical and other utility folks who came from elsewhere? They paid their own way and used their own vacation time.

So there are actually chances for people to travel and do good in the world… and they do work very hard!
 
I hope our Non Catholic Brethren don’t take this as serious, its only a joke that we are having, and a funny one at that, it tickled my ribs.:signofcross:
 
Celtic_Maiden said:
I hope our Non Catholic Brethren don’t take this as serious, its only a joke that we are having, and a funny one at that, it tickled my ribs.:signofcross:
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Yes, I suppose I should have added a happy face or something just to be safe. I’m joking about the indulgences, of course, but serious about the article, I think Kessler makes an excellent point and I appreciate the serious discussion so far.
 
It appears to be much more practical to help out in the local community or neighborhood.
 
As important as it is to help out our nearest neighbors, we can’t forget those who lives are so much worse off. Some of the people helped in places like Mexico and other Latin American countries are so poor they basically live in a dump. If they have a shack to live in, they are doing good. Even our worst homes have indoor plumbing and the like. All poor people should be considered, but go with what you are called to do.
 
As important as it is to help out our nearest neighbors, we can’t forget those who lives are so much worse off. Some of the people helped in places like Mexico and other Latin American countries are so poor they basically live in a dump. If they have a shack to live in, they are doing good. Even our worst homes have indoor plumbing and the like. All poor people should be considered, but go with what you are called to do.
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Definitely there our places outside the local neighborhood that call for our help.

But my previous point should be directed from this text
You’ll receive 30 hours of community-service credit
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If these things are really a scam, it would be horrible if the students’ credit was discredited.

And for the sake of humanitarianism-these volunteer-vacations appear quite innovate and intriguing they could even help us related that we are all One Body of Christ or basically that we are One World-all neighbors of each ,though to depend on these vacations(that cost both time and money) for school or graduation requirements or fulfillment,it seems to be more practical to devote time to the local food bank or homeless shelter and for parents to donate the money to a charity or something.

But I wholeheartly agree on your last point Ms. Christy Beth "go with what you are called to do."
 
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