So, what really is voluntourism? Voluntourism is a mix of volunteering and tourism—traveling to a destination to serve while also experiencing a new culture. It’s different from traditional volunteering, which typically happens in your own community or over a long period of time. Voluntourism, on the other hand, is often short-term and often takes place in another country. The challenge here is finding the right balance between giving back and enjoying the travel experience.
For volunteers, this can be life-changing. You get hands-on experience, meet incredible people, and see the world through a different lens. You develop skills like problem-solving, adaptability, and cross-cultural communication. It’s also an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and gain a deeper appreciation of the world.
For example, years ago we were visiting a family to install a wood burning stove. A young boy scout had collected enough money that they would not need to pay for the stove, which cost about $250. I asked the family before we arrived to prepare anything that they could make if the volunteers decided we were interested in buying any of their goods. The woman spoke her native language and didn’t speak Spanish so we used a translator to help us communicate. She had made hand woven mats that are made by reeds that grow in Lake Atitlan. We were told that Ancient Mayan royalty used to sit on these mats so they didn’t sit in the dirt. This family did not have tables or chairs and used these mats when possible. Although we might not have needed to purchase all of them, one of the volunteers and I decided to do so and we purchased all of her handmade mats. We handed her the equivalent of $13 US dollars and we were surprised by her reaction. She didn’t smile, nod or offer thanks. She just looked at the money in her hands in disbelief. As we left her home, the translator shared with us that this grown woman had never held that much money in her hands in her lifetime before and was too shocked to speak. It was an absolute pleasure to be able to give her a fair wage for the artisan work and to lift her soul and raise her spirits with a small amount of $13 US dollars. Then, we had great handicrafts to bring home from Guatemala and share with our friends and family.
Voluntourism indeed brings much-needed support and resources for people who don’t have much. During a volunteer vacation, volunteers contribute their time, skills, and energy to projects that might otherwise lack the workforce. Each volunteer vacation may look different. Sometimes we can be building homes, installing wood burning stoves, teaching in classrooms, or even supporting fair trade for our local artisans. When done right, voluntourism creates a ripple effect—strengthening communities and fostering long-term connections between people from different backgrounds.
At Be Humanitarian, we ensure that voluntourism creates a lasting, positive impact rather than just a short-term experience.
In our community, we have seen our sponsored kiddos grow from the age of 6 months to their first year of kindergarten and beyond. Our goal is to support this community to thrive and we anticipate being able to support them until they finish university. We have intentionally decided to plant the seeds and grow the garden in this community specifically so we can watch these children grow, support these families to thrive and see their trajectory change for the better.
Misconceptions About Voluntourism
Some might think voluntourism benefits the volunteers more than the communities. Sure, volunteers gain perspective, but real voluntourism is about serving the community’s needs first. This is why we work with local leaders to ensure our projects create lasting impact.
The first misconception people may have is that voluntourism fosters dependency. People may think that short-term volunteer work can replace sustainable development. The key to combating this is focusing on projects that empower communities and build local capacity. For example, instead of simply providing aid, we hire locals, share skills, and create lasting, self-sustaining solutions always with the community’s input.
Another misconception could be that voluntourism can be a “quick fix” to deep, systemic issues. While the intention to help is noble, it’s crucial to recognize that meaningful change takes time and requires years of dedication. We need to set realistic expectations, ensuring that volunteer efforts are part of a larger, well-structured plan that includes ongoing support, resources, and collaboration with local organizations. This approach ensures that voluntourism contributes to long-term, sustainable development, rather than offering fleeting, surface-level solutions.
Ultimately, Be Humanitarian has been involved in voluntourism for over 13 years—long before it was a trend. We don’t just visit a community; we build relationships and create impact:
Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve been able to accomplish in the past 3 years alone:
- Donated 6200 pounds of donation
- Provided 55568+ meals for our community
- Bought land and Sewing Center
- Built 1000+ gardens providing over 1 million meals a year
- Provided health exams and vitamins to our community
As a grassroots organization, we are grateful for the support of our sponsors and partners who have helped us accomplish so much. We are grateful for people that believed in our work and came to Guatemala with us to witness the family we have built over the years. We humbly invite you to join us on a volunteer vacation!
Make a lasting difference while exploring the beauty of Guatemala: https://behumanitarian.org/volunteer-vacation/
🗓️ Fair Trade Volunteer Vacation
July 27 – August 4, 2025
🗓️ Turtle Release Volunteer Vacation
October 3-10, 2025
🗓️ All Saints Day Volunteer Vacation
October 26 – November 2 or 5, 2025
🗓️ Flower Festival Volunteer Vacation
November 15-22, 2025
🗓️ Fair Trade Volunteer Vacation
February 15-22, 2026
Join Be Humanitarian to experience voluntourism firsthand and make a positive impact!
