So I am thinking about moving to Colombia for one year (I am half Colombian/ half american) but grew up 100% in the US and am really interested in volunteering with an organization but am concerned about “voluntourism”.
I was abused as a child and would like to volunteer (as someone who has overcome this) by being an educator/ mentor for sexually abused girls for an organization I’m passionate about in Colombia. I am currently a certified teacher in the US and work with vulnerable children on a daily basis. I was planning on raising money this year (to give to the organization) and then working with them during the year to develop more sexual health curriculum, workshops for the girls, writing grants (I have prior experience), and running a soccer team/ being a mentor for the girls (I played D1 in college & am currently a coach for my elementary school).
I would live with my boyfriends grandparents while there (or the organization offered me a place to stay in exchange for my work) / teach English on the side to make money while working with this organization for a year.
I also want to go for selfish/ personal reasons bc although I do speak “Colombian” Spanish and have a Colombian accent...bc I grew up in the US...I don’t have all of the Spanish vocabulary/ slang (stuff you wouldn’t talk to your mom about hahah) that I would have had if I had grown up in Colombia instead and i feel like a year is more than enough time to obtain that.
Im worried that this is “voluntourism”. Is a year a sufficient amount of time? I am especially worried because I know I would be working with a vulnerable population and don’t want to do further damage. I appreciate any thoughts!
Submitted August 17, 2019 at 10:22PM by vivacolombia123 https://ift.tt/2ZaieBE
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