Operation Blessing Living Water

Anthony Beyer is a supporter of the Operation Blessing Safe Water Projects. Operation Blessing projects seek to provide relief for those around the world suffering from hunger, lack of clean water, lack of medical care, and the effects of disaster. Below is a slideshow comprised of photos from the Cambodia clean water mission.

International Volunteering

Anthony Beyer VolunteerThere is a great quote from cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead – “Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that has.”  Giving your time to a cause you care about is always worthwhile, but volunteering internationally can be a particularly rewarding experience.  Not only do you get to give back, but you also get to experience a new world and a new culture while doing it.  

Anthony Beyer Living WaterThere is a new development in the travel world called “voluntourism.”  This is typically a short vacation during which some sort of charity work is done, though significantly less than during a concentrated volunteer, charity, or development project.  The primary difference between these and typical vacations is that there is much more interaction with local communities, so travelers can gain a much richer experience than they would on a resort, for example, gated off from the rest of the community.  However, since the community work in these situations is so much less intensive, some question these trips ethically.  Every little bit of work around the world helps, but it begs the question – Who are these trips really for?  The communities or the travelers?

Anthony Beyer WaterThat being said, “voluntourism” could serve an important purpose – getting people involved to begin with.  Taking on a big charity project can seem daunting.  Also, there are undoubtedly people who want to get involved in some way, but don’t know quite how to begin.  These trips could be a gateway for such people, a way for them to dip their toes in the water before jumping all the way in.

Anthony Beyer CambodiaTypes of volunteer work typically performed on these trips include teaching English, teaching computer literacy, working at an orphanage, working with handicapped children, building homes or schools, and environmental conservation projects.