<p>lalucha, The Telegraph article makes some good points. It said:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I agree with you that many programs probably do more harm than good. What the article doesn’t mention, however, are the few excellent international volunteer programs whose main focus is empowering communities at the local level to bring about positive change. Their primary focus is not tourism. Volunteers must work full-time, 5 days per week. These programs have few teenagers because the minimum age limit is 18. Since the volunteers are older, many of them bring valuable skills to the communities they serve.</p>
<p>My family has also lived overseas, so I’ve seen first-hand what the high quality programs of capable of achieving. In some developing countries, it’s difficult to get donations to the people and organizations that need them most. Sometimes international volunteer organizations are the only groups providing aid to local communities in these countries.</p>
<p>Just choose your program carefully.</p>