What can I do to help? Is a common question that I and many others ask themselves after watching the news on global catastrophes, or reading into injustices and inequalities people face while scrolling through social media.
Sometimes you can’t help but feel powerless when you see news on daily humanitarian crises and feel a sense of guilt with what you have. This then leads to wanting to help those less fortunate, usually in the form of volunteering abroad in a developing country. I mean, there’s only so much sharing content on social media that can help, right?
My volunteering journey began with this very sentiment. I first began volunteering abroad at the age of 19 during my first solo backpacking trip to South East Asia. I taught English to Thai children for a month in a rural village located in the centre of Thailand. I was there with other gap year teens like myself who had just finished school and had never experienced life outside the U.K. before.
Like the typical and naive ‘gap yah’ teen I was, I wasn’t aware of charitable scams or the white saviour complex. We paid extortionate fees to volunteer and saw very little of where our money went with regards to the community. I also remember watching people in the volunteer group pushing school children to take pictures with them, exploiting the kids on social media for their own gain and likes. All of this made me feel uncomfortable at the time, but I couldn’t pinpoint why.
The experience made me raise many questions, such as, are people doing this to combat societal issues, or to feel good about themselves? What’s the lasting impact our presence makes in the community? How ethical is voluntourism? This was when I came across the now infamous terminology, the ‘white saviour complex’.
What is the White Saviour Complex?
The term, ‘white saviour industrial complex’ was coined by a Nigerian-American author,
Teju Cole, in 2012. In short, it refers to a phenomenon where white individuals, usually from the Global North, or organisations from privileged backgrounds assume the role of a ‘
hero’, ‘saving’ or ‘rescuing’ minority groups from hardships, often through developmental aid work abroad.
It overlooks the agency and resilience of those being "saved", disregarding their ability to be active participants in their own development. This representation reinforces a narrative of dependency, rather than long-term solutions and self-sufficiency.
Finding the Right Projects when Volunteering Abroad
This blog is not to put people off from volunteering however! By all means, it is an incredible way to
perceive the world from different perspectives, connect with people through authentic experiences, educate yourself on global injustices and understand solutions on how to combat them!
In fact, this blog mainly aims to highlight these issues, spread awareness of the potential negative impacts voluntourism can have and offer tips on how to be a better ally in future and avoid causing more harm than good.
As experienced from my first volunteering trip, there are some for-profit companies that take advantage of people's good-intent and the minority groups they are supposably helping. Acting as the middleman and charging extortionate fees to volunteers, which may not be shared with the community they claim to help. I learned that when
looking for your perfect host to volunteer, one of the most important points to consider is the projects they offer and at what cost.
Here at Workaway, NGOs, local charities and community organisations are given the free tools to connect directly with volunteers from all over the world. As all hosts are
manually reviewed before they are listed on the website, you can volunteer with ease and peace of mind knowing that they are credible. Not only this, but you also
avoid outrageous fees and avoid the middleman. We believe that volunteering should be
mutually beneficial to the host
and the volunteer – with no money exchanged.
There are so many ways you can help NGOs on their projects through Workaway and develop a variety of skills, including, gardening, DIY and building, language practice, marketing, animal care, teaching, fundraising and so much more! As a workawayer, you not only have the special opportunity to engross yourself in the local life and immerse through cultural exchange, you are also contributing to the places you visit.
Tips on How to Overcome the White Saviour Complex
I recently came back from a volunteer trip in Kenya following years of taking a step back from volunteering after acknowledging my own privileges, unpacking any unconscious bias I may have, and educating myself on the white saviour complex. This time around, I did a lot of research into the project I was working on and how it helped benefit the community long-term. Upon research, I made sure that the project was supported by existing local initiatives led by members of the affected communities, and that the organisation I was volunteering for provided the local community the tools, resources and opportunities to learn the skills and apply them also.
We worked closely alongside the local community, forming a close bond, as we helped them to build a sand dam. Everyone was viewed as equal and valuable members of one team and we were all extremely respectful when taking any pictures as permission was asked first. We wanted to respect the locals agency and not treat their situation as an exhibition. It was a stark difference to my first volunteer trip when I was 19.
Overall, the trip was extremely educational as I learned so much and saw first hand the impacts of climate change in drylands, learning sustainable, long-term and cost-effective ways to combat this issue.
Before engaging in volunteering, I believe it is important to educate yourself on the white saviour complex and actively try to avoid it. This can be done through promoting equality, respect, and inclusivity. In order to help with this, here are some tips I learnt and implemented in my latest volunteer trip that you should consider for your next work exchange:
1. Educate yourself and be mindful of your privileges
Start by learning about the history, culture, and experiences of marginalised communities. Workaway has information pages for each country which can help you to do your research into your selected destination. This knowledge will help you approach the situation with sensitivity and a greater understanding of the local circumstances. Acknowledge that your perspective may be limited, and make an effort to listen and learn from those directly affected by the issue at hand.
2. Collaborate and build partnerships
Engage in genuine collaboration and partnerships with individuals and organisations from marginalised communities. Do not view locals as ‘helpless victims’ that need ‘saving’, this creates a hierarchical division of ‘us’ and ‘them’. Work together to address the root causes of the issues at hand and respect their expertise and contributions by allowing the locals to take the lead and guide the process.
Workaway offers a unique and ethical form of volunteer work, as local hosts and families open their doors to people from all over the world, asking for the specific kind of support, rather than volunteers assuming they know best.
3. Ask locals for permission to take pictures or videos
Respect the agency of the local community by seeking their consent before capturing any images or videos. Especially children. The rule of thumb I like to use when I’m abroad is, if you wouldn’t do it back at home, don’t do it abroad. Prioritise building genuine connections on a deeper level, respect people's boundaries, and treat locals as individuals rather than attractions.
We understand that sometimes you want to capture moments and share the meaningful projects you have been working on with friends, family, and of course- the
Workaway photo competition; which is perfectly fine! Just be cautious of what you share and always make sure to get consent and permission ;)
4. Examine your intentions and motivations
Reflect on your own motivations and intentions when engaging with marginalised communities. Be mindful of any personal biases, ego-driven desires, or hidden agendas that stem from selfishness to be perceived and liked. Ensure that your actions are driven by a genuine desire for equality, justice, and positive long-lasting change for the community.
Volunteering with Workaway allows you to connect with people from across the world who feel as passionately as you do about your projects. You can also immerse yourself in cultural and
language exchanges as the world comes to you. If you are volunteering just to portray yourself as an ‘empathetic hero’ or to show off on social media, like TikTok or Instagram, for likes and praise, you are doing it for the wrong reasons.
5. Be cautious when interacting with local children
While it may seem innocent to give money or items to begging children, it is important to consider the potential negative consequences. Taking pictures or giving money to children can perpetuate a cycle of dependency, keeping children out of school and exposing them to exploitation or abuse.
Workaway takes
safety very seriously and manually reviews every new host profile before they are listed on the website to ensure credibility and reliability. There are also detailed
guidelines on child protection for hosts who have projects involving children and a
24/7 support team you can contact if need be!
6. Be an ally, not a saviour
Shift your mindset from wanting to "save" or "rescue" others to being an ally. Allies work alongside marginalised communities, supporting their efforts and advocating for their rights. Focus on empowering individuals and communities to speak for themselves and determine their own needs and solutions.
7. Amplify marginalised voices Instead of speaking for others, use your privilege and platform to amplify the voices of marginalised individuals and communities. Understand locals’ experiences and provide support for their projects and shopping local. Acknowledge that the locals are the experts in their own lived experiences. Follow the lead of the people in the space that you are entering and listen to their advice, expertise, and request of the people who are closest to the problem.
8. Practice cultural humility
Approach interactions with humility and with an open mind. Acknowledge that you have much to learn and that you may make mistakes along the way. Volunteering alongside Workaway hosts allows you room to grow and change your perspectives as you gain knowledge and learn tolerance while working alongside locals.
To register as a Workawayer, you are required to pay a small administrative fee of US$
49 a year for a single account and US$ 59 for a couple account which lasts a year. Included in this subscription is a selection of over 50,000 hosts worldwide who offer free accommodation and food, great for budget travellers. In addition, part of the money gets donated to the
Workaway Giving Back Project as well as towards
planting a tree in your name.
We believe that is the only amount that should ever leave your bank to be involved in volunteering.
Remember that avoiding the white saviour complex is an ongoing process that requires self-reflection, active learning, and humility. By taking these steps and being mindful of your privilege, you can work towards being a better ally and contributing to positive social change.
