October 18, 2024
October 21, 2024
This is extremely troubling and disappointing article. These people signed up to be part of an Indigenous work exchange and while they were staying in poor conditions, miscommunicated with and isolated they didn't have any connection to the local Māori people... until families heard the news and opened up their homes personally. The company that set this whole horrible trip up is now saying the local company they worked with was the issue.
We talk a lot about how ethical volunteering does involve a cost, but not like this. Yes, your rent and your insurance and your travel should cost but the price of this program is confusing because what were they actually paying for? These numbers were so high for a work abroad program with seemingly no cultural outreach (the very reason the participants signed up) Volunteering, work abroad and gap year programs need to be clear, transparent AND real. One of the reasons we go to all the placements first is to make sure the brochure matches reality. To make sure when we talk with potential volunteers, we can tell them from our real world experience what things will look like.
Shame on this company.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/new-zealand-indigenous-exchange-1.7349126
