Everyone loves a vacation that allows them to explore a new country and new culture. What really makes a trip memorable is getting to know the country at a closer and more personal level than the average tourist just passing through. Quite often many kind-hearted souls endeavor to do this by paying to join programs that place them at an orphanage, school, or hospital. It’s often called ‘voluntourism’ but you may be surprised to hear that despite the good intentions, paying to volunteer can sometimes come with unintended negative consequences.

The question of paying to help people is a sensitive one, and there are plenty of valid – and sometimes angry – arguments for each side of the debate. Some posit that providing assistance in any form is never a bad thing, and say that as long as you’re making a difference to someone, where’s the harm? Others ask why one should pay Company A to send you to Organization B when you can just give directly to Organization B? A quick search on Twitter and Facebook reveal thousands of opinions from all over the world.

But despite the debate, voluntourism is big business, and there are plenty of companies making a pretty penny offering their services. So why do so many people do it? The most common reason is that it’s often easier and safer than doing it on your own. When you’re in a foreign country you can’t just walk around until you find a place to volunteer at. Language and cultural barriers are a problem, and your average Cambodian orphanage doesn’t have a slick website with Google Map directions and English-speaking support staff to help you get started. Paying a placement company provides the means and the support to help you help others. At least… it should.

So if you do opt to go this route, there are a few questions you should ask first:

How much will I pay, and where does the money go?
If you’re paying someone $2,000 to spend a weekend teaching English, that sounds a bit fishy to us. Do a bit of thinking about what the actual costs should be, and use that as a baseline to gauge what type of program you’re paying for. Also…

…what type of support is offered?
Any decent placement company should offer a healthy menu of support and coordination services. This should include things like airport pickup, a local contact for the duration of your stay that can answer any questions, and give assistance with things like finding accommodation, directions, emergency contact information, and orientation at your volunteer location.

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What type of reputation does my placement organization have?
Do your research. Any company with a decent program in place should proudly display positive comments from previous volunteers.

How long are you staying for?
This isn’t a hard-and-fast rule, but generally speaking, spending a few days helping out will have a negligible impact. The time and manpower it takes to train new volunteers to get up to speed might not be worth it if you’re just going to leave a few days later. Try to spend as long as you can helping out. Get to know the place, the people, and the culture.

Most importantly – who are you doing this for?
Let’s face it, everyone likes to get a pat on the back, and those usually get generously handed out to people who help those less fortunate. There are plenty of cases where foreigners were seen as helping someone simply to tell people they did it, or to get a boost in karma by posting pictures on Facebook. The honest truth is, if you’re not there to help others, you’re there to help yourself. Be honest – who will benefit more from your time there? If the answers isn’t “them” then rethink your trip.

As we said, there are two sides to every story, and every organization that takes money to place volunteers is different. While it does take time, effort, and skill to run a successful placement program, this has to balance with visible and meaningful results. Your heart is in the right place – just make sure your effort is, as well!

The post Voluntourism first appeared on Smiling Albino.

Until a cool and overcast Thursday in Oxfordshire, England, it was considered impossible for an athlete to run a mile in under four minutes. Sportsmen had been trying for decades to break the time barrier and some medical professionals of the day declared it an unreachable milestone.

On May 6th, 1954, the impossible suddenly became possible when Roger Bannister ran a mile in three minutes, 59.4 seconds.

When asked how he had done it, Bannister is alleged to have said that he simply visualized his objective, and had done it repeatedly in his own mind so many times that it was a certainty that his mind and body would be up to the task on race day.

That’s how we operate at Smiling Albino. When we design an itinerary for you, we don’t consider just what is possible, we visualize what the perfect experience should be, and then find ways to make it happen. It’s this careful blend of risk-taking and hard work that allows us turn great trips into unforgettable memories.

Some of our greatest trip moments and experiences have come from exploring imaginative new options in the pursuit of an innovative idea that we just “had” to make happen.  Not accepting the ordinary and pushing for perfect execution sometimes results with our guests thinking we have achieved the impossible. On occasion, we have done just that.

Daniel Fraser,
Smiling Albino Adventurer-in-Chief

Adventure Highlights:

Springtime in Nepal

March – May are one of the best times of year to visit Nepal, as the wet season is a few months away, and the coldest days of winter are already gone. In early spring – March and April – you can also see the flowers in full bloom.  It’s a great time to go for a hike, or even a ride on a classic Enfield Motorcycle through the Himalaya’s.

Our hand designed trips range from premiere properties, to tea house stays, all with a stunning backdrops.  We can serve up high-intensity rafting, trekking and biking pursuits, introduce you to local characters, amazing venues and everything in between.  Whether you are looking for an epic day in the saddle or a comfy chair and a copy of The Ascent of Rum Doodle in hand, we’ve got you covered.  What are you doing this spring? We can personalize your travel.

What’s Going On:

The Hairy Bikers Asian Adventure Show begins!

Smiling Albino knows Thai street food – and now so do The Hairy Bikers! We were hired to help Si and David with their Bangkok street food episode, and we took them to all of our favourite spots. Watch their show of the BBC Two to get an inside look at the street food scene – or call us and we can arrange a night of scrumptious discovery and dining.

Watch on Youtube! Watch on www.BBC.co.uk

Bagan’s Archaeological Gems

If you thought Angkor Wat was stunning than you need to get to Bagan!  It’s no secret that Myanmar is getting a lot of attention, and the incredible archeological gems of Bagan is simply a must do on any visit there.

Want a quick comparison to something you’re already familiar with? Check out our latest Blog post “Rustic Chic Bagan vs Classic Siem Reap”, talking about the differences between Bagan and Angkor Wat.

Explore Myanmar on a 12 day trip with us. Check it out!

Phare – The Cambodian Circus

In Siem Reap a new up and coming must see attraction is the modern and unique Cambodian Circus. The beginnings of the circus started 20 years ago after the Khmer Rouge regime when a group of young men found healing through the art of dance and performing. View the official Phare Cambodian Circus site.

The show depicts stories from everyday life and beliefs in Cambodia through inspiring dance, contortion and balancing acrobatic acts. There is many other attractions nearby, we can arrange your tour travel. Inquire here. 

Phare Ponleu Selpak is now branching out into schools to educate the poor in the area and giving them skills to earn a wage and come out of poverty. Help their project.

Connect With Smiling Albino!

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Contact: Get a hold of us any time.

The post Albino Smiles – March 2014 Edition first appeared on Smiling Albino.