Whether to pay-to-volunteer or volunteer-at-no-cost-to-yourself (or as the current debate puts it ‘paid or free volunteering’) – is a difficult and challenging debate and realistically there is no right or wrong answer – it is most definitely not ‘black and white.’

Some people want to travel abroad, to volunteer so they feel good about themselves – what is so wrong with that? Some people want to travel abroad to volunteer to give something back to society – again, what is so wrong with that?

June 2010.  Erika - a new volunteer - has gone to Morocco to volunteer at a school for all ages in Rabat.  She has this to say about her experience so far:

"Finally here I am after my first 2 weeks in Morocco.  I am very pleased with the association on both professional and personal level.  I appreciate very much professional approach of the stuff[sic] and their willingness to help at any time.

Ann, Programme Co-ordinator for EIL UK took part in a Volunteer International Programme to Rabat, Morocco.

 I went to Rabat to do a ‘taster’ week volunteering, so I could better understand some of the challenges that might be faced by prospective volunteers. This seemed only reasonable given that it’s a large part of my job to send people to far-flung places to work.