That 10 day mission or service trip you are taking this summer to #Uganda #Honduras #Nepal #Cambodia or #Haiti is trash and we are going to give you 8 reasons why:

1) You aren’t qualified. You have no relevant or useful training, experience or specialization.

2) It is a poor use of money. That $2,000 that you and each member of your “team” is spending? Invest it in the projects you think you’re helping instead.

3) It’s about you. This *experience* is actually not about the needs of “the people “ you are visiting in that country.

4) You are using poor people to make you feel better about your privilege and wealth. Rather than actually investing in efforts to help people get out of poverty, you offer handouts and temporary solutions.

5) You can visit a country for what it HAS rather than what it LACKS...

5) (Cont’d) It’s very possible to come visit “developing countries” for the beauty & adventure rather than coming to try and save us or do something you aren’t qualified for.

6) You can support important work being done in that country without having to center yourself.

6) (Cont’d) If it’s not about you, you will prioritize what is best for the community & organization.

7) If you didn’t post it, did it happen?If you weren’t able to take and post photos / videos, would you still go? If you’re honest, the answer for most of you is probably “no”.

8) It’s 2019. These short-term trips are outdated and you should know better by now. With so much access to resources & research, you are fully capable of understanding why these trips aren’t beneficial for the communities you claim to be helping.

Keeping y’all accountable,
NWS

Disclaimer: IF IT DOESN’T APPLY, LET IT FLY. Yes, there are SOME trips where it is useful for a person to travel overseas and collaborate with organizations doing good work because they have a *SPECIALIZED SKILL* they can offer that will benefit the organization or community.