Equalizing Voluntourism by Caleb Sheehan
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- 1. Equalizing Voluntourism My work with VOFAIR bringing
transparency to the volunteer industry.What we did:What I did:As
the voluntourism industry booms, potential volunteers are having a
harder and harder time finding safe, meaningful volunteer
opportunities. At the same time, small, impactful volunteer
organizations are having to compete with for-profit voluntourism
agencies to find good volunteers. This is where VOFAIR comes in. As
a non-profit intermediary between volunteers and volunteer
projects, we help both parties skip the expensive, unreliable
voluntourism agencies.My responsibilities at VOFAIR varied
throughout the month I was in Chile, but the main theme of my work
was technology. Doing final editing of our website as it launched
was the main focus for me and a couple of other volunteers. I also
worked on moving our database of projects and organizations from
Excel spreadsheets to an online, searchable database. One of the
more interesting jobs was going out and visiting volunteer
projects, taking part in the verification process around which our
organization is centered.By screening potential projects in person,
we make sure they are safe and worthwhile for the volunteers. After
passing a series of requirements, projects are then featured on the
VOFAIR website for volunteers to find and contact.Inside the
MoviStar Innova Building, which houses the Start-up Chile
offices.After leaving the VOFAIR office in the afternoon, I would
take the metro to Escuela Bellavista, where I took daily Spanish
lessons. Beyond that, I explored the city, made friends with locals
and learned their culture, and did a bit of travelling within
Chile.What I gained and what is to come: Back in April, VOFAIR was
still sponsored by Start-up Chile, a government program that funds
and houses start-up companies (for-profit or not) in a shared
office space in downtown Santiago. The experience of working in a
start-up was great, but even better was being surrounded by other
start-up companies on a daily basis. Of course, a number of factors
contributed to a huge increase in my Spanish skills.Escuela
Bellavista, where I took daily Spanish lessons.With these two
experiences, I plan to move forward gaining experience in the
entrepreneurial world. With contacts from Start-up Chile and my
improved Spanish skills, a return to Chile may be in order.VOFAIR
volunteers in the process of certifying a youth development program
located in the mountains outside Santiago, Chile.