The Best Intentions: An Examination of Short-Term Service Trips
intended to benefit vulnerable children and families
There is some concern that short-term volunteers pose risks of harm to vulnerable children.
The goal of this study was to learn more about pre-trip engagement, in-country activities, and how these impacted preparation and trip experience.
Community Benefits
Transfer of skills
Positive relationship building
Advocacy development
Economic growth
Encouragement to local partners
Volunteer Benefits
Cultural exposure
Religious engagement University credits
Self-development, new skills
New relationships
minimize risks
maximize benefits
WHAT
Millions travel annually for these short-term trips, which often involve volunteering with vulnerable children in residential care or orphanages.
32% completed NO pre-trip requirements
95% interacted with vulnerable children on their trip
67% said their interactions were unsupervised
Though a prevalent practice, little research exists on how volunteers are prepared and what activities they engage in.
Community Concerns
Ethics
Sustainability
Language barriers
Unqualified workers
Power differentials
Child Protection Concerns
Child safety
WHY WHAT GOAL
Risk of maltreatment
Disrupted attachment
Violations of rights
Of those who DID have pre-trip requirements: background checks general training
32% 58%
Asignificantandgrowing conclusionamong researchersisthatshortterminternational volunteeringinresidential carecentersisincompatible withpromotingthewellbeingofchildren.
Participants who completed pre-trip requirements felt more prepared and satisfied with their trip.
In a study of 353 adults in the USA
The Best Intentions: An Examination of Short-Term Service Trips intended to benefit vulnerable children and families
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SENDING AGENCIES
Sending agencies who coordinate volunteer trips, such as NGOs, churches, and universities, have a vital role to play in increasing the potential for benefits and decreasing the potential for harm as related to these trips.
Identify Volunteering Objectives
Attimes,volunteersmayhaveaninflated senseoftheimpacttheywillhaveona communityorpopulation.Priortoplanninga triporselectingvolunteers,sendingagencies shouldconsidertheirunderstandingofthe purposeandobjectivesofshort-term volunteeringtomakesuretheyarerealistic andtrulyhelpful.
Carefully Evaluate All Potential Volunteers
Sendingagenciesshouldthoroughlyscreenall applicantsforvolunteeringtoensurethesafety andwell-beingofintendedbeneficiariesand othervolunteers.Screeningshouldincludea backgroundcheck,references,andinterview
Establish Expectations
Identifyingclearexamplesofappropriateand inappropriatebehaviorscanimpactvolunteer behaviorduringthetrip.Askingabout motivationsandintentionsduringtheinterview processwillallowtripproviderstoselect volunteersinalignmentwithtripobjectives.
Improvingpre-tripscreeningandpreparation canservetoavoidpreventablechallengesthat limitpositiveoutcomes. Further,preparation andwiseengagementwasconnectedto greatervolunteersatisfaction.
Require Thorough and Relevant Pre-Trip Requirements
Trainingpriortoatriponthespecific activitiesavolunteerwillengageincan supporttheireffectiveness. Learning aboutlong-termlocaleffortscanhelp volunteersunderstandtheirroleinthe greatercontextoflargerefforts.
Educationaboutsystemicand generationalstructuresofpoverty, culturalsensitivity,culturalhumility,child protection,andissuespertainingtorace couldimprovethevolunteers’abilitiesto engagewiththecommunitiesina meaningfulandrespectfulway
Protect Vulnerable Children
Helpvolunteersidentifywaystosupport thefamiliesandcommunitiesthatcare forvulnerablechildrenlong-term.Doing socanmaximizeimpactandminimize harm. Whereinteractionwithany childrenisdeemedappropriate,all activityshouldbesupervised.
Identify Alternative Models for Short-Term Volunteering
Sendingagenciesshouldfocusonmodels thatminimizeriskofharm,arein partnershipwithlocalentitiesserving long-term,andsupportfamiliesand communities.
Based on research by Amanda Hiles Howard, Nicole Gilbertson Wilke, Jacqueline Gustafson, and Megan Roberts
