|
|
 |
|
Our Committment to Ethical Volunteering
|
|
We have worked hard to ensure that all our projects and partners are ethically and sustainably focused. We therefore expect the same from anyone wanting to volunteer. The following section is dedicated to outlining how you as a volunteer can ensure the good relationships in place are maintained.
|
|
|
Responsible Tourism
The nature of placement is very much focused on the cultures visited. Therefore, everyone taking part should already be aware of and responsible for his or her own actions. It is very important to remember that we are visitors in foreign lands and so cannot impose our moral standards and opinions on matters we only partially understand. |
| |
Our Policy for Low Impact Tourism
We support, fund and run development projects. These are done in conjunction with local communities. We are not trying to impose our own standards, but as we assess the needs of a particular community, we work with them to implement a development plan that they can control and expand. Throughout the placement, you will be exposed to a huge variety of communities, cultures, environments, tourist attractions and people. It is likely that you may not have experienced anything similar before but we hope that through pre-departure research and preparation you will gain an understanding of local customs and traditions that will minimize the tourism impact you have. Your placement will change lives in a small but positive way, but be aware that your every move is observed, every action discussed and every conversation interpreted in a different way!
|
You are expected to act in a responsible way.
Try to minimize the impact of your presence upon the environment and take responsibility for improving it where we can. Take photographs and leave only footprints. A zero litter policy should be adopted, regardless of what you see the locals doing. You should use locally run and owned accommodation and restaurants in preference to foreign owned hotel chains. This is the same for purchasing food and equipment through local business enterprises, shops and markets. A portion of your placement cost goes to funding the community development projects. It is this money alone that provides the equipment, materials and skilled labour needed to make the projects work. This employment of a local work force ensures that villagers are able to earn a much needed income that can replace income earned through current activities like charcoal making, illegal hunting & logging, all of which can be viewed as destructive to the environment. |
| |
Guidelines for Volunteers
As a volunteer, you have an increasing role to play within the responsible tourism concept. We have ensured a solid framework to achieve these goals but it is your actions that uphold the impact and the good foundations we have laid. The following information contains basic ideas that will enhance your experience and ensure a positive reaction from local communities. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
