There are so many things that you need to consider when you travel abroad or volunteer abroad in 2024 that it’s hard to know where to start!
You are probably considering your long term impact on the community and earth, the sustainability of the programs that you’re joining onto, whether or not you’re contributing to a sustainable solution to systemic challenges, the culture that you’re stepping into and how to best respect it, how to make an impact abroad without playing into white saviorism and colonialist tropes, and that’s before you think about your own logistics and challenges.
At Manna Project International, we can’t sublet your apartment for you (though we might be able to give you some suggestions as to where to post it!), but we can help you figure out a checklist for what you should be asking organizations that you’re interested in. Whether you want to study abroad, travel abroad, intern abroad, volunteer abroad, or work abroad, here are some things that you’re going to want to think about:
What’s the commitment to local leadership look like?
You want to see that projects don’t just come from the international-facing organization! Even the most immersed organizations need to be working closely with community leaders to make sure that they are valued, heard, and their ideas are actioned.
At MPI, we have at least one representative from the community on each project. That means that whether we’re volunteering in ecotourism projects, working at the local health clinic, or teaching English in the public education system, all the projects are a collaboration between the community and our organization. We wait for the idea to come from the community and then we work together to decide how we can best tackle it. From chicken cooperatives for female economic empowerment to marketing help with local ecotourism entrepreneurs, everything started as a seed from the community and has ongoing assessments to ensure that both sides agree with the direction.
What’s their focus on sustainability?
It’s 2024! The world is paying attention to the earth and our impact on it! Ask questions! Is the program encouraging longer stays and less carbon emissions through many airplanes? Do they have community based sustainability programming in a culturally attuned way (are they teaching recycling, offsetting carbon emissions through a trusted source, planting trees on site)? This can look different in different countries, but it’s worth asking the questions and making sure that you feel the organization isn’t doing the travel equivalent of fast fashion (fast travel?).
One cool way you can do this is by participating in projects like Manna’s sustainability and ecotourism projects where you are spending part of your time meeting communities that are impacted first hand by climate injustice while also depending on the environment. You’ll get the opportunity to not only participate in an Agricultural Share that spans the continents of Europe, North America, South America, and Africa, but also work with local leaders that are developing sustainable ecotourism for international and national tourists to learn about the Amazon Rainforest (aka the lungs of the world) and the first inhabitants of the region (the Kichwa people) and their culture around the rainforest.
Whatever you do, make sure that you feel comfortable that the organization isn’t green-washing and that they fully understand the impact that travel can have on the world and that they’re committed to making your international plane ticket a small cost for a bigger gain!
How are they committed to social justice and equity in their community and internationally?:
Again - this will look different in different regions, but you want an organization that is able to engage in this conversation and give concrete steps that you feel are working to right systemic injustices, both in the home community, but also in the international community coming in.
Ask what their mission is in the local community and how the core challenges were identified - are they working to end systemic injustices like poverty, access to healthcare, access to suitable education? Is their programming holistic? As an example, Manna at its heart wants to work to end poverty in the communities that it works in, but that's a multi-pronged objective. To get there, we have to first work on healthcare access, quality education and capacity building, and developing economic livelihood opportunities or capacity building.
How transparent are they? Why do they charge the price they do? Where and to whom does it go?
Not every organization has to fully disclose their financial statements (i.e. all non-profits - like Manna - do) - but it’s a big green flag if they do! You can see all about their money - are they turning a huge profit? Where does the money go? How do they respond to your questions about cost? Can they explain to you why they charge and what it covers? A higher cost program might be totally okay - or more than okay! - but it might also be using your money for pieces that don’t have an impact on the ground - like a large sales team or marketing team. It’s always worth asking so that you know where your money is going and if you feel comfortable - it’s 2024, it’s okay to be curious about where your money is going!
Check out our volunteer opportunities here or reach out to info@mannaproject.org to engage in a larger conversation about Manna’s ethics, ethos, and mission.