My name is Anna. I am a senior in a small liberal arts college in Vermont. I spent last summer on an accelerated study abroad program in Cusco, Peru. I picked a program that incorporated volunteering out of curiosity and, quite honestly, I thought it would look good on a resume. I found volunteering abroad to be very cliché and ego-driven so my expectations were not high before I left.
I ended up being placed in a clinic that worked with disabled Peruvian children. Despite my cynicism, it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. To this day I struggle to put into words what I experienced and the connections I made. Although my perspective changed, I still was faced with one big question when I returned home: Did I really make a difference?
My hope is that this documentary will help others see the different perspectives on voluntourism before they embark on a trip. Maybe it will also give some sort of closure to those who, like me, do not fully understand the impact of their service.
My name is Dominic. Volunteering and service trips have been a part of my life since I was twelve years old. I loved the idea of traveling to new places and meeting a variety of people. I met some of my closest friends and was taught so many life lessons while on these trips. Every trip left me wanting more of these experiences.
Upon returning home from these volunteering adventures, I always wondered about the status of those we worked with and met. Were they doing ok? Were their lives positively affected in the long run? While some people were easier to stay in contact with than others, it was hard to tell just what effect I had on them and their community.
With this documentary I hope to explore what practices current voluntourism organizations are using now. I feel it is important for volunteers and these organizations to be conscious of the mark they leave to ensure the best experience for everyone involved.
