Voluntourism has become an industry. While many organizations still hide behind a disguise of volunteer work, Jambo is an organization that actively markets and identifies as a voluntourist experience. They know their audience — college youth who want volunteer experience to bolster their resumes while also getting to enjoy the sights and attractions of whatever their destination may be.

 

Jambo has crafted the ideal experience for voluntourists. Wen Haoming, director of Jambo, states that their priority is not the communities they are connecting volunteers to or the people that their work is impacting — instead it is the customers they attract. Although a volunteer trip abroad filled with the promise of leisure and sightseeing may sound tempting, this model results in the commodification of at-risk communities who need comprehensive help and commitment, not a parade of voluntourists whose priorities are snapping the best picture.