Trend: Voluntourism

What is it?
When people take time out of their busy lives and donate their time and money to organisations or causes. Most notably, volunteering their time in developing countries in areas that lack facilities in housing, education, health and sanitation. Lack of basic needs and facilities attract international attention and garner the consideration of people from developed countries.
Trends today show that voluntourism is most popular amongst people in their twenties and thirties, which is believed to be popular because of the idea of added risk with going to under developed countries. Another few reasons young people volunteer abroad is to boost their CV/Resume, travel in a group with friends for a rewarding purpose and for a way to see the world.
Why is this trend important?
Voluntourism is important as it gives back to communities who may not even have a form of tourism or any basic facility. People living in dyer situations with no water, no food and rely on the help of international resources to help them survive. In countries where starvation and dehydration is too common, it's incredibly important for people like us, living in countries where if we get too full, we throw our food in the bin or let the water run down the drain. It is important for us to not take things for granted and give back to these people who suffer immensely. But volunteering isn't just heading off to a developing country or a country hit by disaster. People can go and volunteer in many different aspects both domestically and internationally. There is volunteering time on behalf of an organisation in hopes to raise money i.e Climbing Kilimanjaro and getting the community to donate to the cause.
Helping out at events and international celebrations i.e Heading to Stockholm to help out at the Eurovision Song Contest.
Volunteerism takes many forms and generally has people doing it out of interest, concern or hoping to better themselves through helping others
Pros and Cons:
Skills; It's all well and good to be investing time and money to travel away to go volunteering but it's another thing to be useful wherever you go. Different projects require different skills and expertise. Although people are good of heart to go and help, they may not be qualified. It can be difficult on organisations to refuse help but volunteers are much cheaper then paid staff.
Image: By volunteering, it looks good on CV's and Resumes. It gives a person a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment knowing they've helped and done something good for those in need.
Motivation: Aprés Volunteering, it gives people a sense of motivation with their lives when they see first hand just how bad some people are living and do their best to help out. It gives the mindset that some people have it worse and motivates and drives people to do more with their lives.
Integration: It is a problem that volunteer staff, although may be highly educated, dominate over the local staff as they think they know best.

It is important to consider volunteering for the part that it gives back to those who need help in the world. Organisations do need the help in most cases and volunteering should be emphasized more in communities.