PEPY Tours Introduces a New Look at Volunteering: Learning Service

Online, July 31, 2012 (Newswire.com) - With the growth in the voluntourism sector and so many volunteering guidelines being created, the PEPY Tours team decided to share the key lesson they have learned from 7 years in Cambodia: We have to LEARN before we can HELP. PEPY Tours' new "Learning Service Guidelines" are a play on words from the term "Service Learning", which is often used to refer to volunteering by North Americans. The old term acknowledges the need to "learn", but PEPY Tours is promoting an approach to travel that prioritizes the learning before the serving.

Although PEPY Tours has moved away from offering volunteer trips in favor of educational travel options, the team recognizes that volunteering is still a very popular travel option. As such, PEPY Tours has also put together 'A Volunteer's Charter', designed to help those who have already signed up to volunteer to create an experience that is rewarding for them and their host organization. This charter is a list of helpful advice on responsible volunteering, and is a must-read for all volunteers.

The PEPY Tours team acknowledges that wanting to lend your time and energy to a worthy cause is undoubtedly a noble thing, but as with so many things in life, good intentions just are not enough. They point out that, when organizing a volunteer placement, it is important to have enthusiasm and passion, but it is equally important to find an ethical organization that fits your interests, can make use of your skills, and that is working towards a cause that you are passionate about in a way that is both effective and responsible. The guidelines also suggest that it is important that we understand the issues, context, and needs first before we decide to jump in and try to help.

To support would-be volunteers to curate a learning experience that will allow them to give their time and energy in the most effective way, PEPY Tours has put together 'Tips and Tricks for Learning Before Helping'. This is the ultimate guide to selecting a "Learning Service" placement or volunteering opportunity, whether it is in a local community or in far-off lands. These guidelines will not only help readers assess whether or not they want to work for a particular organization, but also help them identify where their skills and interests might be best suited. By going through the necessary steps, would-be volunteers can make their experience more beneficial to both them and the causes they are dedicated to supporting, ensuring everyone gets the most impact from their efforts.

Both 'Tips and Tricks for Learning Before Helping' and 'A Volunteer's Charter' are completely free, and are available for download at www.pepytours.com/responsbile-tourism/learning-service