VolunTourism

VolunTourism. This isn’t the first time that I have heard of the concept of “voluntourism”, but this is the first time I have heard it been given a name. It’s an enthralling concept that changes how I view vacations and tourism as a whole. Why just lie on the beach for an entire weekend, when you can spend just a few hours of that weekend being part of beach clean-up with other volunteers? Not only are you giving yourself time away from the big city, but you’re also giving back to Mother Nature in all its glory. And trust me, I have done a lot of volunteer work in junior high, high school and in university, and it’s definitely some of the most rewarding moments of my life.

It’s a great feeling knowing that there are people who are so appreciative of the work you did, and that it changed the life of others for the better. That feeling that someone gives you when they give you the biggest grin as they say thanks and shake your hand or give you a hug are priceless moments and can never be replaced by money or material things. It’s priceless because you know that their thanks and their appreciation are drowning in sincerity.

I used to volunteer at children camps or children and family related volunteer opportunities. I had a great childhood and upbringing and it became clear to me that I wanted to impart the type of childhood that I had to those who had it rough in life as a kid. Every year at Christmas, I used to volunteer at No-Ka-Oi Ranch for less fortunate children. We would give them a Christmas party, great food, offer arts and crafts, fun and games and of course give them a chance to receive gifts that they would normally not be able to have. Another Christmas favorite of mine was called Operation Christmas Child. It served to provide gifts to less fortunate children around the world. People are asked to send in toys, clothes, and other things to send to others in developing countries. They put them in a shoebox and we wrap ‘em and send it on it’s way.

I want to be able to go back and do that and I think that VolunTourism is definitely the way for me to fulfill my urge to travel as well as wanting to do some change for the better.

 I got the idea from an article in Garage Magazine. It’s a bi-monthly magazine, dubbed as the “The Modern Guy’s Guide to Style”, and for me it’s the Philippine equivalent of the International magazines, GQ or Details. I wouldn’t say it’s up to par with Esquire but for the Philippines, I could say that it’s the top Men’s Magazine.

The latest issue, which has Piolo Pascual on the issue, talks about a project of Hands on Manila and Coffee A.I.D.. Volunteers travelled to the Cordiellera region in Atok, Benguet. They were part of a coffee cherry harvesting activity and coffee tree planting on the mountains of Atok. The experience seems like such a rewarding one and I can’t wait until I get to experience the same.

For more information on Hands on Manila or Garage Magazine, just visit the following sites:

Hands on Manila Foundation
Garage Magazine

 -JP