Organisations such as :
1) National Youth Council - The Youth Expedition Project -since 2000, has sent more than 14,000 people to South-east Asia, India and China to interact with the local communities and tackle their needs in areas such as education, environment and health care. For more info:www.yep.sg
2) The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) of Singapore - Its International Service Programmes - to various community service work from building houses to teaching the local children. Lately they have organised a subsidised 12-day trip at $1,000 to Siem Reap in March 2009. This include return airfare, accoummodation at the Boys' Brigade Learning Centre and simple meals. For more info: Call Centre : 65-6586-2331 or email: iternational@gmca.org.sg for more details.
3) Ngee Ann Polytechnic - part of the polytechnic's Community Involvement Programme - in September 2007 - about 17 students took part in a trip to Nias, Indonesia. Each student volunteers paid a subisidised fee of $500 for the 10-day trip. It covered the return airfare, accommodation at the Farmers' Training Centre on the island and meals.
4) Private companies are also arranging volun-tourism trips. TakeMeToAsia, an online travel company ( www.takemetoasia.com or www.takemetovolunteertravel.com ) started launchng such services two years ago. Such trips will cover Asian countries and typically last a few days and cost from a few hundred dollars to a few thousands. depending on the destination. An upcoming trip to Chiangmai costs $650. excluding air tickets.
Opinions for volun-tourism trips differ individually. Some people think volun-tourism is all work and no play. But others beg to differ. For some, such trips give them a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city life.
What is your opinions on this ? Do drop me your comments.
