Lately Ive considered what’s next for me career-wise.
I don’t know anything will change, but I feel a void.
A sense of something missing and needing to be added to what I currently do.
I approach all things (work, play, life) as I approach healthy living:
Whenever possible, I add to. I add in. I love what I do. I don’t want to “take away” as that feels punitive.
Yet the nagging notion of something being not quite right remains.
As a result, I’ve taken the time to measure what I’m doing against what’s really important to me.
The child & I still live the notion of service is the rent we pay for living, yet when I stepped back and viewed our lives as a whole, I saw gaps.
I easily realized there’s more we could do.
when she was little this was “enough.”
I’ve watched as bloggers took sponsored trips to developing countries and, through shared words and images, shined a light on parts of the world I might not have otherwise seen.
I’ve examined what I’ve created with my social media platforms and wondered if that were the answer?
If I might be able to do the same?
Social media for social good.
Initially it seemed the perfect answer.
A melding of our family values/mission statement with the writing I love and volunteering I crave.
As I considered pitching myself for trips, however, I began to question if my money wouldn’t be more powerful simply sent to the countries?
Would it be more charitable to return to endeavors like the MizFit running skirt and remain in Austin?
all proceeds donated to Mayan Families.
I knew my heart would bring me to Guatemala.
I knew my intent would be to bring others–virtually–to a special place for my family.
And yet I still couldn’t shake a sense of exploitation, for lack of a better word, as I visualized myself in-country blogging, tweeting, and picture taking.
As much as I’ve enjoyed “participating” from afar via blogger trips to these countries–there was, admittedly, a voyeuristic element.
There existed a facet, something I couldn’t precisely articulate, which caused me to feel a bit unsettled.
when I lived there these weren’t strangers. they were my friends.
As I began to organize a voluntourist trip of my own, it dawned on me it’s the poverty porn which makes me feel conflicted.
(Sadly, until I hit the Google as I always do prior to publishing, I’d thought I’d coined the term.)
Would a trip to Guatemala (funded by me with intent of sparking charitable donations) only add to existing poverty porn?
Would it be more beneficial to the country if I silently & anonymously donated instead?
my heart was born there. a piece of my heart will always be there.
I reached out to one of my fave travel bloggers (and an all around badass woman) and posed these very questions.
Her response surprised me as I’d assumed she’d say what I’d begun to feel in my gut: Stay home. Send money.
She did not. She responded with this:
The money is important for the kids but connecting with the people in person is a different level of giving.
Her choice of words brought me back where I’d started in that inimitable Chutes and Ladders-way life seems to be right now.
- What separates story telling from trash talking slum tourism? (to be hyperbolic)
- What does “poverty porn” really do? Does it only serve to make privileged-us feel less guilty ala the spouse who tells her partner she had an affair? (to paint with a broad-brush)
- Does the voyeuristic element vanish if one has ties to the land? (I cant decide)
Bea says
February 27, 2017 at 4:49 amI’ve never heard that word before, but plan to do a Habitat for Humanity trip with my daughters when they are older. I think it’s helpful.
Susie @ Suzlyfe says
February 27, 2017 at 5:08 amI think there is a fine line, and I’m not sure yet how to articulate the distinction, where the crossing over point it, between exploitation and helping. But isn’t that the case with many things in life?
Susan says
February 27, 2017 at 6:00 amI agree, there is a fine line; yet nothing wrong with wanting to have an experience and share it with your family. I think we can talk ourselves in circles when it comes to pretty much anything 😉
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
February 27, 2017 at 6:11 amI agree with what Susie said. It’s a fine line. A lot of my medical colleagues go on medical missions to impoverished countries. I think it’s important to publicize the conditions. But not to make it about “look at me, look what I”m doing”….
messymimi says
February 27, 2017 at 6:16 amThere is something to be said for going in person and helping other people. You could have just given to a local charity to help the homeless, instead you made bags to hand out and helped them in the best way you could, personally. You touched hearts and hands.
Sending money so someone already on the ground can help is a great thing. Going and helping, too, even for a little while, builds relationships and connects us in profound ways.
Haralee says
February 27, 2017 at 8:25 amI think it is intent. Sure a charity, and orphanage would love crayons/markers/colored pencils you collect and solicit and give but ? Would the charity/orphanage like your services in mental or physical or artistic help more or both?
It is a tough series of questions and you can only do what you can do.
Leanne | crestingthehill says
February 27, 2017 at 8:27 amI’ve asked myself a lot of the same questions Carla – so many thousands of dollars spent by people who go to “pat orphans” – but at the same time, if it brings connection and concern and a heart for those in need, then it has been money well spent. You have a heart for Guatemala and I guess it will always pull you to want to do more in that country – follow your heart x
Rena says
February 27, 2017 at 9:11 amI hate to agree with everyone else, but there is a very fine line. I’ve seen some that I absolutely loved and others that turned my stomach. I think that you being you would make it lovely and not sickening. Does that make any sense?
Renee says
February 27, 2017 at 10:30 amI think we always need to do what our heart and gut tells us to do…if we don’t listen to both of them that is when we don’t feel the connection we should…follow your heart my dear, it knows where it’s going…
Kate says
February 27, 2017 at 10:30 amIf you have to question, you’re doing it RIGHT.
NO ONE would ever know what the conditions are in other nations if someone didn’t tell them, since not everyone can experience it first hand. If you’re not exploiting the poor for your own cause or your own profits, but to draw attention to their need, then you ARE doing a service. If you’re down there hands on actually DOING something about the need, that’s an even better service.
Thing is, there are so many “missions” to impoverished regions that involve going there, staying in the home of someone who cannot really afford to support guests, then moving on to see the local sights and wildlife. More of a “oh look at the poor, how quaint!” type attitude. Obviously, that IS poverty porn.
ESPECIALLY today, when the nation is filled with messages that people from other nations are a risk to the US, connecting with the PEOPLE of other nations, seeing the reality of how people live and what they value is important.
There is a famous quote which hangs in almost every zoo and aquarium somewhere which refers to the understanding and preservation of nature. I believe that ALSO applies to the preservation and understanding of humanity:
“In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.” (Baba Dioum, 1968.)
Ellen Dolgen says
February 27, 2017 at 1:13 pmThere are so many ways to help others. One must search their own heart and follow what feels right to them. I don’t think there is a right or wrong way to volunteer or support others. Some people need their names on buildings, others volunteer anonymously. If in the end, someone is getting the help they need and deserve….that is what is important.
Jody - Fit at 59 says
February 27, 2017 at 2:00 pmI love what Ellen wrote! My thoughts before I even read that was if nobody went & showed us, how would we know how much they need our help. Ultimately it is what is in your gut as to what you do but spreading the plight of others in need – somebody has to do it…. xoxoxo
Benny @wpsitecare says
February 27, 2017 at 3:14 pmCarla!
I find myself reading your posts really often but never commenting. I just want to say I think you’re a great writer 🙂
Marcia says
February 27, 2017 at 4:46 pmI think it’s a matter of perspective. On both sides. One must do what feels right for them. I think if one’s intentions are noble, it’s all good.
Alana says
February 27, 2017 at 5:45 pmI spent part of my lunchtime reading through the comments, which were just as wonderful as your post. This is a tough question. Just my brief brush with a national disaster in my area made me so sensitive to how people in need are helped. I would tend to let the experts take over, based on that experience, and contribute money (and not goods). But, I also saw firsthand where volunteer labor made a big difference.