Expert advice on Int’l Voluntourism

GEORGE RUPP is the President & CEO, International Rescue Committee

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Real Good or Feel Good?
"The refugee expert (George Rupp) says volunteers should tread carefully in the countries they are supposedly helping."

Q: What is the difference between Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel and Voluntourism? Will I be required to 'work' during my vacation? Can I work if I choose to?

A: Our NGO partners specifically request that your learning visit result in a generous tax deductible monetary donation rather than your personal labor or ancillary gifts in kind.

Exceptions to the 'do no labor' NGO protocol include medical doctors, nurses, and technologists with hard to come by specific skills who are willing to serve at the NGO's request.

Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel has raised over 1 million dollars since 2008. 100% has been donated to high impact NGO's (non-government organizations) in destinations in the USA and around the world.

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Q: What is Philanthropic Travel / Travel Philanthropy / Travelers Philanthropy and why could it be a rewarding experience for me and or my family?

A: Philanthropic Travel has transformed people positively on every continent. Read these stories and begin your own private philanthropic journey: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.

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Q: Do you offer any philanthropic advisory / transformational giving consulting services?

A: Yes..

Philanthropic Advisory for Individuals
We assist individuals seeking a deeper understanding of the challenges facing high impact NGO's and guide them to contribute beyond their 'first taste' philanthropic 'vacation' experience.

Philanthropic Internships
Our solutions are customized for adults approaching major life transitions, employees taking sabbaticals, and high school and college students seeking opportunities to intern for high impact non-profits in and beyond the USA.

Transformational Giving for Financial Services Firms
Our collaboration and service for the trusted advisor community is well referenced: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Engaged Living Legacies for Real People
We work with Engaged Legacies who specialize in delivering sophisticated transformational giving strategies for family offices, registered investment advisors, financial planners, CPA's and estate lawyers.

Best Practices in Philanthropic Travel for Travel Industry
We are available for consulting, seminars, clinics, and virtual coaching to assist travel companies integrate and leverage the transparent and responsible best practices that have resulted in us being recognized as the philanthropic innovator in the global travel industry.

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Canada's National Post

..munificent as those gestures might sound, some proponents of philanthropic tourism take exception to voluntourism's approach, which they believe can be counterproductive.

"Most grassroots (humanitarian) organizations can't manage when hundreds of people come for a morning or afternoon to build a nursery school or a latrine,"

said David Chamberlain, owner of Nevada-based operation Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel, whose company donates US$250 per traveller to the grassroots organizations with whom he has worked.

Mr. Chamberlain says that many of the (developing world) towns his company supports have massive unemployment issues, and the can-do, Peace Corps model of voluntourism only takes jobs away from locals who need the money, no matter how paltry.

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