Charity organizations need volunteers to sustain their efforts. The life-blood of charity organizations are its donors and its volunteers.
However, with the advent of convenient and affordable travel a new breed of volunteers have emerged – who are more volun-tourists rather than volunteers.
What is the essential difference between a volunteer and a volun-tourist?
A volunteer’s main desire is to help the needy.
A tourist’s main desire is to see and experience something new.
A real volunteer often sees and experiences something new but this is not his primary reason for helping. It is a bonus.
A volun-tourist is excited before his trip, during his trip and shortly after his trip (when he is recounting his experiences).
A real volunteer is excited before his trip, during his trip, shortly after his trip (when he is recounting his experiences) AND long after the trip as he remembers the needs of the people whom he has met on his trip. He realizes that what he did on his trip was really “a drop in the ocean” and that the trip was more “an eye-opener” that helped him to see how he could continue to help these poor people.
A real volunteer desires to continue helping these poor people by telling others of their needs, collecting clothes or books for them, sending funds to help them. His desire to help them did not end when the excitement of the trip ended.
A real volunteer wants to help in whatever way he can – whether on the trip or after.
Are you a real volunteer?