Last weekend, I went to Tasmania! Oh man, that place is so cool. Talk about beautiful—whew! Ryan and I stayed in the guest-hut of a family that lives in a valley near Cygnet, south of Hobart. It was very tiny, made of sticks and stones, and surrounded by thumping wallabies at night. The milky way was so bright we barely recognized the sky at all.

Tasmania is a place that has been embroiled in socio-environmental controversies throughout the last few decades. I’ve mentioned Matthew Newton’s photographs of old-growth logging there, as well as Ricky Maynard’s gorgeous images about indigenous people, culture and conflicts in Tasmania.

During the weekend’s visit, my host, Peat, told me about another photographer who has had a major impact on the Tasmanian landscape, Peter Dombrovskis. I want to tell you the story that Peat told to me.

In the late 70’s, there was a movement to dam Australia’s last remaining wild river, the Franklin River, which runs through Tasmania. Now, if you aren’t already aware of these stats, Australia is a continent the size of the USA, with radically less water falling onto it or running through it. It has a population of 22 million, as opposed to the U.S.’s 300 million. Despite currently having the most water per person of any continent, that water is over-allocated (literally, more water has been allocated to different human uses than is available), leaving many of its aquatic ecosystems in distress—birds, fish, plants, trees and other animals that live in or around the rivers are dying off at a terrifying pace.

So the idea that the last remaining wild river on the entire continent (or near it, since Tasmania is an island off the southeastern coast of Australia) was about to be dammed inspired a huge backlash among the population.

A senator named Bob Brown began a campaign against the damn. And he asked a Tasmanian landscape photographer named Peter Dombrovskis to take a trip up the Franklin, and see if he could make some pictures. In the end, the campaign centered around a single photograph.

This image by Peter Dombrovskis became the cornerstone of a conservation movement in Australia. That movement gave rise to the Green Party, which has grown to become a major political force here. This picture galvanized protesters and public opinion, which eventually helped stop the dam from being built. How amazing is that?!

For some more info, I recommend watching this clip from “Wildness,” a film made about the campaign in 2002. There’s also a good summary on wikipedia, and an article in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Eliza Gregory writes a weekly blog for PhotoPhilanthropy.

I have wanted to go Guatemala for many years after hearing of its colorful people and lush landscapes. Being a photojournalist, I didn’t want a vacation. I wanted to get inside, to experience the place in a deeper way. Fellow photojournalist and longtime friend Barbara Ries and I teamed up and contacted a couple of non-profits to see if we could offer pro-bono photography and video for them to use to increase donations and awareness for the families they serve.

We connected with Mayan Families, a small non-profit working with indigenous people in the Lake Atitlan area, about four hours from Guatemala City. Through education, community programs and construction projects, Mayan Families works to improve lives of struggling families and individuals while being sensitive to the ongoing traditions of the indigenous culture.  The program is run by Australian native Sharon Smart-Poage, a caring, calm and good-humored soul. She has a great affinity for the Guatemalan people, has adopted two Guatemalan children and employs over 35 local residents.

Our goal was to tell a story that showed how Mayan Families has a direct impact on the local community. Smart-Poage introduced us to the dimpled smile of Claudia Jona, an 11 year-old Mayan girl who has lived a difficult life and has just recently started to go to school, well behind most children.

Claudia’s story, like most stories of impoverished lives, is heartbreaking and complex. Her mother committed suicide when she was two. Abandoned by her father, she was left with her half-blind grandmother, Andrea. Mayan Families found her in rags and provided her with a sponsor that would support her schooling and buy her traditional clothes she could wear to class. Claudia was thrilled. She had been so sad and angry to watch the other kids go to school while she had to work caring for other people’s babies at wages so meager it wasn’t enough to provide her with daily food.

We first met Claudia and her grandmother in their small hillside hut. It was a primitive setting with a dirt floor, no electricity, running water or stove, only a shared wooden bed frame without a mattress. The encounter was a bit awkward as we were introduced as photographers, which prompted them to stoically pose for the camera. But it was only the beginning and as she changed into her one white ruffled traditional blouse we sensed her new found pride.

The next day we visited Claudia at school. She was all smiles in class, happy to make the most of the gift that she had been given, a chance for a better future through education. Standing head and shoulders above the other children and almost twice the age of some, she rested her arms around them as she shouted out answers to the lesson. She concentrated on the sentences in her book even though her belly was empty and her toe was sticking out from her shoes that were too small for her growing feet.

I’m not sure at what moment it was but I had started to care for this sweet young girl. I wanted to buy her shoes; I wanted to hug her. Was it her infectious laugh or her dark shining eyes that drew me in? It didn’t matter; I just cared.

Being journalists, we are trained not to get too close, to be objective. How can you be objective when it comes to a suffering child? But, here, I am not working as a journalist. I am a volunteer.  I have permission to care.  I have permission to give.

Barb and I were moved into action. Something we hoped our photography would do for Mayan Families. We went to the local market and purchased sandals and a traditional peach colored blouse for Claudia. We donated a hope chest to her, built by another volunteer teaching local boys carpentry skills.

On our last day with Claudia, she spoke about her past in her native tongue, Kaqchikel, because she did not know the Spanish words to describe her pain. She cried. She told us most days she only has one meal a day, some beans in the morning and if she’s lucky a tortilla with salt in the evening. And then I cried. I had permission.

Creative Corners: The Global Arts Project (CIC) is a unique not for profit agency for cultural sector volunteering that specializes in creative projects for creative people where you could devise a play in a Bolivian orphanage, teach photography to street kids in Honduras, sing to teen mums in Nicaragua, share some moves in a Brazilian social circus, redecorate a children’s home in Guatemala or design a garden in Peruvian orphanage.

Creative Corners was established by 33-year-old London based Australian arts worker Monique Julian who was inspired to start this unique organization after her own experiences volunteering in La Paz, Bolivia. We interviewed her about Creative Corners and volunteer traveling.

When and how did you hear about “voluntourism”?

For me, travel was always on the cards; with parents who were travelers and with an inquisitive mind and open theatrical disposition, voyaging around the world was a natural step. I first traveled overseas in my third year of university on a six month scholarship, working as an intern in an advertising agency in Malaysia. I continued traveling around Asia for a few months and by the time I returned to Australia I was hooked. Within two years I was off again. Before I knew it nearly 4 years had passed and I was still traveling using London as a base. Although I had had amazing experiences in over 40 countries I then decided it was time to do something more ‘purposeful’. I had heard about this ‘newish phase’ of volunteering so decided a travel and volunteer trip was just what I needed. This was 2002 when I was introduced to this type of travel and I haven’t looked back.

Why did you decide to participate in such a project?

I decided I wanted to do something more than just travel – to do something more ‘meaningful’ – I wanted a travel experience with a difference so I decided to volunteer. After much searching I found an expensive UK organization and ended up heading off alone to Bolivia for 7 months not knowing that this experience was then going to change and shape the rest of my life.

How would you describe your experience?

I fell in love with the country, its people and the children I had worked teaching creative workshops in the street and rural villages, running art classes at a home for deaf children and intellectually disabled adults and writing and performing a Christmas musical and circus performance with 80 children of an orphanage.

And La Paz was an incredible city, nestled in an incredibly striking canyon at 3,600m and surrounded by the stunning snow capped peaks of illimani. The place has so much character, and the views are just stunning. I loved to see the Chola ladies in their traditional dress, the women carrying their babies, animals, food and all sorts in brightly coloured South American style pieces of material on their backs.

What were the major advantages of your involvement?

The results of the performance with the children in the orphanage were incredible – these were kids who had never performed before – ever and they learned songs, made costumes and learned a dance. It was such rewarding and satisfying work.

I believe the major advantages of my contribution and work there was that the children had access to music and a creative experience they otherwise wouldn’t have had. When people think about helping poorer countries they often only think about the obvious needs – food, beds, blankets etc and things such as creative education are overlooked. An experience of arts and culture has the potential to create change in many ways.

When and why did you decided to launch Creative Corners?

After my return to the UK I ‘fell’ into a temping job as an Office Manager for an IT company – I couldn’t have been further away from the smiling happy children with their llamas in the rural villages of Bolivia. So the job went on, although I was only meant to be there for one week but it then turned into 2, which turned into 6 months but I wasn’t happy – after my work with the children I found the job soul destroying being stuck in front of a computer all day – but I spent some of that time day-dreaming up my ‘ideal career’ and with my inspiration from abroad along with my love of the arts and travel I dreamed up Creative Corners.

I firmly believe that there is no greater success in life than following your passions and living the way you want to live & I have always lived my personal philosophy by following my 3 major joys in life – travel, the arts and making a difference through community projects.

What is your definition of voluntourism?

I believe voluntourism is any travel where you plan to volunteer at your destination. Your travel experience is more about being immersed in a culture and a community while sharing skills and giving your time where needed.

Do you think it’s relevant to know if the organization is for profit or not?

I do. There are many organizations out there that although their intentions may seem good they are making a lot of money from people wanting to do good. One leading volunteer organization turns over more than £6million pounds a year. Many organizations “use” projects in developing countries to send volunteers and make money and don’t have a personal relationship or really understand what the projects really need or could benefit from.

By choosing to travel with a not for profit organization you know that only the projects will benefit from your experience and your money isn’t just going towards salaries, marketing costs and bonuses.

What is the “plus” of your organization?

Creative Corners is a not for profit volunteer organization providing flexible, rewarding and effective international volunteer opportunities specializing in the creative arts abroad.

We encourage artists, teachers and travelers to share their creative skills with communities where they will make a difference –and we give people the opportunity to do this with and an affordable, creative and charitable organization so they can creatively change lives while creatively changing their own.

Creative Corners also aims to give individual attention and consultancy advice so volunteers can achieve their personal goals through the arts encouraging volunteers to strive for an element of public performance, exhibition, installation, recording or publication of work produced during the project. We believe ‘Process’ is important, but striving towards a final goal or ‘product’, whether that be a play, photo exhibition, CD recording, documentary, crafts stall or a published calendar, provides a tangible goal and WIN/WIN situation for everyone involved.

We also give any profits back to the projects unlike many other profit making volunteer companies and I hope to build music and arts centers at the projects with profits and any funds raised.

Creative Corners also has a personal relationship with all the projects having personally visited them all and so understanding how creative people can best work with the children.

We also have a personal relationship with all the host families who are amazing people – returned volunteers all comment on the families and say how special they are and how welcome they made them feel.

What do you have to say in regards to the accusation that these kind of trips aren’t worthy because they don’t really bring any positive change?

I believe that if you go with the wrong organization and you are not paired with a project where your skills are going to be of a direct benefit then yes I agree volunteers could be more of a drain on a project then an asset and therefore won’t change lives. But an international volunteer experience does have the potential to change lives including your own and the way you view the world no matter what your background if you choose the right organization and project for you. After you experience you will find yourself with renewed energy, commitment, greater perspective, skills and knowledge from life experience gained and you will most likely also have greater motivation to achieve personal goals. Teaching, learning and exploring in a challenging environment is a powerful means of providing the catalyst for inspiration for volunteers and also offers unique personal and professional development opportunities.

One returned volunteer Nicola Brebner remembers “….the beauty, food, people, culture, music, chaos, smells, noise, hustle and bustle, the magic of the Andes, the buzz of Brazil – it all got me… traveling in those amazing places I was forced to get out of my comfort zone and this is where I learned and was forced to take risks and chances that enriched the whole experience.”

And after my own experiences teaching art, drama, music and theater in Bolivia I believe that creative education work in needy and underserved communities in developing countries provides unique benefits. Participation in the arts, or in any form of creative expression allows children to express their own feelings and experiences through a creative means and encourages inspiration and growth. Many underdeveloped countries don’t have access to creative education resources and many children go through school without having music or art teachers so volunteers that can provide this to children do have the potential to change and inspire lives.

What are the main things a potential volunteer should consider?

If you are thinking of volunteering there are many things to consider – How long should I go for? What type of project can I really help? Should I pay to volunteer? What do fees cover and can I afford to go?

Many organizations offer fund raising ideas and support and there are possible grants and travel groups such as Travelocity who in August 2006 launched the Travel for Good Initiative, which includes a program called Change Ambassadors which hopes to bring the idea of “voluntourism” to a broader, more mainstream audience.

Jeffrey Glueck, chief marketing officer of Travelocity, says, “We think voluntourism is one of the best ways to experience a place. Our Change Ambassadors Grants relieve interested individuals of any financial constraints of taking a volunteer vacation. This way Travelocity ensures that more people every year will be free to help around the world.”

And when is a good time to go?

The answer to this is anytime! Why not take the plunge and just go! And volunteering can be for anyone including families & single parents, groups of friends, school leavers, career-breakers or retirees – there are projects to suit all sorts!

One returned volunteer Jhinuk Sarkar sums up her volunteer experience: “Since coming home and reflecting on my time in South America, I have realized how many skills I have gained from just two months of my two projects in Peru and Bolivia.

As well as seeing some astounding sights like Machu Picchu and the Bolivian Salt Flats, I have also gained some amazing memories of the warm, welcoming families I stayed with and the children and staff I worked with.

In Peru, I had an amazing time immersing myself in the language and culture. The kids loved making the masks with me, coming up with dances with Caroline and putting them altogether to perform a play- which they even performed separately for some of the children’s parents/guardians, they were very proud of their work. The children were also definitely enthusiastic when I set a self-portrait drawing competition-especially when they knew some prizes were involved! My multi-tasking skills were put to the test here! I had the best time with the children and teaching staff whilst there – we even took the kids on a picnic outing into the countryside towards the end of my time there-now there’s a memory of Peru that I couldn’t have got by just being a tourist!”

Creative Corners has many projects in need of volunteers and aim to match your interests and skills to a project that will benefit you and the project. All projects are ongoing so they work around planning your trip in the time you have available whether that’s 2 weeks or 6 months. How it works is volunteers either make a proposal of how they would like to use their skills to work on a project or else if you are not sure what you would like to do or where they then look at your skills and brainstorm with you ways in which you can apply your skills to run a meaningful project with a result and outcome.

You can read all about their projects and destinations at creative-corners.com. If you are interested in applying you just need to send an application form which can be downloaded from the website along with your CV and 2 referees.

As for the experience, it will be one you will never forget. Living and working in Latin America for a good cause while developing your own creative, teaching and project leading skills will provide you with invaluable personal and professional development experiences and new inspiration on which to draw in the future.

Check out Creative Corners: The Global Arts Project, or to learn more about the topic, Voluntourism International’s site www.voluntourism.org is a good place to start.