Charity trips abroad

[Goldenperfume]

I have an acquaintance who often travels to far flung destinations to work in orphanages for a few weeks and sets up a just giving page for the cause. I’ve always contributed but now I’m not sure as I hadn’t realised that some people who do these sorts of trips use the funds go towards their travel costs. I don’t really feel comfortable asking if they fund the travel costs themselves or not. Their justgiving page makes it look the money will be used for the cause they are fundraising for but I don’t know. Thinking about whether to continue contributing or just stick to my normal charity donations.

My instinct is that you and others are funding their jollies around the world. I might be completely wrong and every single penny goes to the orphanage, you will have to ask for proof thats the only way.

I always get a bit wary when people go to volunteer abroad and set up funding pages, fine if you want to go but you should pay yourself. I want to give my money direct to the charity.

I have volunteered in Thailand with animals and I wouldn't dream of asking for money. Because to be honest im not qualified and I didn't really make a difference, it was as much for mine benefit as the animals. I washed bowls and cleaned poo and bathed dogs, relieved their boredom a bit.

There is a lot of information available about the negative impacts on these trips, unless she has a particular in demand skill (like a doctor)

Find out the cause/charity and donate directly to them if you wish to support them.

There was a recent thread explaining in detail why these trips are a bad idea:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4683091-to-refuse-to-sponsor-this-young-person

These trips are nearly all just destination holidays wrapped up in a veil of altruism and at an eye-watering cost. The effects of a revolving door of do-gooder volunteers on the residents of orphanages is well documented, particularly the difficulties it creates for the children to form secure attachments. Some "orphanages" are just cash-cows for unwary but relatively wealthy foreign tourists, and filled with children who may or may not be actual orphans. Don't start me on the well-digging and school-construction tourism!
If your friend truly wants to make a difference she could either volunteer locally for a sustained period of time or donate money regularly to a reputable charity that supports something she is passionate about in an international context. Then she can just go on holiday wherever she likes and can still feel good about supporting the local economy while she's there.

This

I can't stand 'look at me' travel junkies masquerading as charity workers.

Find a reputable NGO and donate direct. Having spent a lot of time in West Africa with work and seen up close all manner of clowns on gap years and other folk thinking they are 'making a difference' while being largely useless you are better off donating direct.