GO SOLO ON A VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Going solo on a humanitarian project is an ideal way to meet people and travel in immersion
Firstly, there is no such thing as a solo humanitarian trip. The only time you will be alone is on the plane. As soon as you set foot in the destination country, you will be taken care of by the local organisation, which has been approved by the Freepackers team. When you arrive at the project, expect to be immersed in it first hand! Between the project coordinators, the local communities, and all the other participants, you won’t be alone for a second!
Travelling alone shouldn’t be scary. It’s the perfect way to experience true independence in a safe environment, while making a tangible contribution to a worthy cause of your choice. Moreover, going on a humanitarian project alone is easier for:
About 70% of our participants are solo travellers, most of them 20-30 year old women, but we have had teenagers as young as 16 and pensioners who are 70 or older!
On a humanitarian trip, you should accept any task with the understanding that it is a learning experience. The places, cultures, and people of a foreign country have needs, history, ideas, beliefs and traditions that are totally different from those you experienced as a child.
As a participant, it is our duty to respect this. Even if we come with innovative ideas and modern technologies, our perception is not necessarily ” the right one ” for the local communities and it is not our mission to ” save ” anyone. We can only communicate in a healthy way if it is with an open mind, in order to find the best solution for all parties involved.
Remember that you are a guest. The local community agenda operates on a scale larger than your individual existence – and that is beautiful! We should feel honoured that our contribution is part of a bigger picture; Being mindful of this is humbling and encourages a healthy flow of ideas.
Taking the time to contribute to a sustainable development project is a noble endeavour that we value at Freepackers. You place your trust in us, so it is our duty to work only with ethical projects that contribute to both your personal development and that of the local communities. This travel experience should prove that together we can make the world (and ourselves!) a better place.
