The media love to coin an ism, and ‘voluntourism’ is the latest term hitting a travel supplement near you. Used to describe self-funded trips that combine backpacking with a bit of do-gooding on the side, voluntourism is travelling for those who want to give something back.

In Off The Beaten Track, Sandy Barker has posted about her own experiences as a voluntourist with Peru’s Challenge, a company set up by Aussie Jane Gavel and her Peruvian partner in 2002 to facilitate self-funded community projects for disadvantaged local children.

If you’re thinking of making a difference in Peru, it’s worth a look; and if you’ve been on a similar mission to Africa or South-East Asia, post a comment with your advice; she’s so fired up by her experiences, she’d love to go there next.

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