Humanitarian Trip

[rholbrook]

My two oldest are going somewhere on a Humanitarian trip next November. I was assigned the task of getting it lined up. A friend of mine is paying for it all but has told me I have to set it up.

Has anyone here done this before or know where I begin. He is thinking somewhere in S. American. They plan on going for a month.

 

[TRNDRVR]

There is a "travel agency" that specializes in trips that you pay to go on trips that are strictly humanitarian. Building a school, digging a well, things along that line. It's like what you pay is put towards your travel expenses, you're put up by the locals, and the rest of your money goes to whatever the project you're working might be.

HTH

 

[Cody]

I have some friends that have done work in Africa and Ecuador. I'll see what they have to say.

 

[Caleb]

I'm sure I could line up something in Ethiopia if you would like. LOTS of stuff to do there, and pretty safe for Americans. I'll be heading back in probably another month.

 

[Ogre Palowakski]

If for some reason you decide to go to Guayaquil, Ecuador, call Damien House.

http://www.thedamienhouse.org/newsletters/newsletter_sept_12_pdf[1].pdf

The place where I work sponsored a trip there last year and Sister Annie coordinated everything for us.

It was an amazing experience.

 

[Paul R]

I don't want to open a can of worms because I know a lot of the Humanitarian missions have their hearts in the right place, but when I was in Uganda I saw a lot of damaging things happen with short term humanitarian trips. My sister has also spent time in Thailand and has seen similar situations.

I would strongly recommend that you search out a cause that you can believe in and find an organization that doesn't just give away things to the locals (I know this may seem counter intuitive). There needs to be some sort of cost associated with projects for the locals (this does not have to be monetary). There were entire villages that we couldn't even begin to work with because of well meaning church and university groups.

For the record:
This is in my opinion from spending time trying to help out. There may be scenarios where it does not apply. I don't mean to come across as holier than thou, or as if I am discouraging humanitarian work.

 

[rholbrook]

Paul, I understand what you are saying and at the same time I am concerned about the organizations that charge a ton of money for them to SET IT UP for us as well. I have an issue with non-profit organizations with managment that make a ton of money and travel all over the world 1st class on money that is intended to help those in need.