I am amazed at the disparity concerning this article. I am able to see both sides of the issue and I think everyone's points are valid. I would like to add my opinion.
It is my opinion that one should clearly and honestly evaluate their motives for volunteering. Now, I have no problem with being honest and my "friend" count corroborates this fact. When I first thought about relocating to another country with absolutely no connections, I considered doing a mission trip. There are 2 things wrong with this. 1st, my MOTIVE. I was not volunteering because I had a desire to help others, I had a desire to help MYSELF and USE this trip as an OPPORTUNITY to get where I wanted, make connections, and stay. As I previously stated, you need to know your motive. Because I am so honest, I am my own worst TOUGH love and I had no time for KARMA in a foreign country, so that quickly went out the window. 2nd, the COST is absolutely ridiculous. Trips were averaging $2,000 minimum for a week. I do not know how many of you are familiar with taxation, I am a certified Tax Professional and have some years under my belt. Although the majority of my clients are working professionals, I have processed a few small business returns. You have to understand "mission trips" are a scheme. Disclaimer: MOST advertised mission trips are a scheme. There is a deduction and tax credit that these "companies" can claim each year to either omit the income received thus making it "tax free" or provide a huge reduction necessary to keep them from owing the IRS. I don't care if they are a 501(c), LLC, SP, etc. It is all about numbers at the end of the day. (Remember, numbers don't lie, people do) You will not believe what you can write off by performing "charitable" actions: from airline tickets to the food purchased at Supermercado Jose Luis. (Both the Company AND the Volunteer) Thus in turn, these "non-profit" organizations PROFIT all the money. Remember, there is a Non-Profit for Profit category that most of these organizations are labeled as on paper.
I will not attempt to discuss the group T-Shirts and pictures of the dirtiest kids with a foreign background posted on social media websites and the company site as well.
The point of my spill is simply: KNOW why you are volunteering and do just that VOLUNTEER. Do not advertise, write it off, meet a service requirement, get a free pass in a country, get in the way, or try to earn cool points.
Sincerely,
The First Black Expat of my Entire Generation