20 Years From Now.

Each year, over 10 million people travel abroad seeking to enhance their experiences through altruism. This blend of adventure and service, marketed as "volunteer travel" or "voluntourism," has become a popular trend among eager travelers.

Social media is flooded with images of young jet-setters interacting with foreign children, often accompanied by captions that either express sorrow for the conditions of those they engage with or reflect the gratitude they feel for the 'valuable' life lessons their experiences have provided.

Let’s imagine, for a moment, how we might view this narrative in 20 years.

Will we look back with pride, congratulating those who embarked on these 'altruistic journeys'? Or will we see this trend as a relic of a bygone era, like so many other questionable practices from our past? Will terms like 'altruistic' be replaced with labels like 'self-righteous,' 'colonial conquest,' or even 'exploitation'?

This isn’t just a hypothetical question. It’s crucial to examine why we feel entitled to engage in such actions under the guise of ‘good will.’

The issue isn't just about what has led us to this point—where privilege benefits from the disadvantages of others—but why we continue to exploit vulnerable communities. The legacy of colonial history explains much about our current attitudes and actions. Yet, despite this awareness, we persist in justifying exploitation through self-gratification.

History has made us aware of the damaging impact of colonialism, and discussions about this have taken place before. Despite this, many people continue to rationalize their actions, convinced they are making a positive difference. But why do we stubbornly refuse to accept the truth?

The answer is often that it makes us feel good. Self-gratification takes precedence, and privilege enables exploitation. Excuses come in many forms, often couched in patronizing language about 'vulnerable' communities needing 'help.' Statements suggesting that these people are ‘happy’ despite having ‘nothing’ reflect a condescending attitude, positioning the speaker as superior.

But the real issue is that we don't truly want to know better. By imposing our judgments on these communities, we are defining their worth based on our limited perspectives.

Who decides what 'nothing' means? By making such judgments, we create subconscious hierarchies that place the 'vulnerable' beneath us, reinforcing colonialist values and continuing the oppression of these communities.

These attitudes stem from colonialist views and perpetuate systematic oppression.

We devalue other ways of life and pitifully frame them as needing our help. However, it’s crucial to remember that those we judge have not asked for our pity. Privilege blinds us, leading to non-consensual judgments about people different from ourselves.

When discussing volunteer travel and development, it’s important to recognize that good intentions do not automatically make us benevolent. We should encourage genuine efforts to help, but more importantly, these efforts must be ethical and beneficial.

We need to challenge and shift the harmful and degrading dialogues surrounding these issues. The impact of our words can be as significant as our actions. The next time you encounter conversations about volunteer travel or see posts featuring 'poor' foreign children, question the motives behind them. Consider whether these engagements are genuinely necessary or merely a quest for validation.

We must view these travel experiences differently, seeing those involved as potential exploiters rather than heroes, and those being helped as people with agency rather than objects of pity. Any benefit to us should not come at the expense of another.

With privilege comes responsibility and accountability. It begins with us and needs to end with us.

Social media is replete with images of travelers interacting with foreign children, often accompanied by captions expressing sympathy or personal growth. It’s time to critically examine these narratives and ensure our actions align with our stated values.