POVERTY PORN IN THE GAP YEAR INDUSTRY

‘A picture is worth a thousand words’, so the saying goes. The images that are used by an organisation in its marketing have as big an impact as, if not bigger than, the words that accompany them. In the gap year industry this fact can be used to profitable effect: by combining tempting photos of volunteering alongside links to “sign up here”. So far, so predictable. But pictures can also be used to mislead. In the case of some organisations they embellish the truth to make it look more appealing – see for example, Gapforce’s brochure which is full of enticing photographs taken of models. Leaving aside feminism or the Trades Description Act, seeing this picture, what would you think? That you are volunteering on a worthy project?

It gets more serious when marketing images are used as a kind of “poverty porn” to generate a misleading picture not only of the work done by volunteers but of the host communities themselves. Take a look at Duncan McNicholl’s photography project ‘Perspectives of Poverty’, which shows how the same person can be portrayed in two very different lights: once as a dejected, poverty-stricken man, and once as a happy and successful man.













According to Ethical Volunteering, an independent advice organisation, we should “look at the pictures and words that are used by the organisation to tell you about their developing world partners.” In particular, look for an organisation that describes the people that they work with and their developing world in a positive, respectful way. Steer clear of those who seem to be promoting a patronising attitude towards their partners especially if that picture is of a sad-looking child. This mock advert from the satirical magazine ‘the Onion’ illustrates the point: Why is this child sad? We don’t know. But apparently, you can help. No wonder the image of the developing world that many people have is of a begging bowl.

Quest Overseas is a small ethical volunteering organisation that offers opportunities for volunteers in locations across South America and sub-Saharan Africa. It involves a variety of projects including community-based children’s projects, conservation and construction. The pictures that the company uses in its marketing are all taken by volunteers and staff, and depict actual work being done on projects.

Quest Overseas works on a long-term basis with local grassroots charity partners. In Peru, Quest have been working in the shanty-town of Villa Maria since 1998 with volunteers providing sports and creative activities for the children of the favela during their school holidays, to give them focus and attention that can help to prevent them becoming victims of drug abuse and gang violence. Quest Overseas is very careful about the way that it describes its projects and what they can achieve. It recognises that volunteers at Villa Maria have a lot to offer to the children – time, friendship, affection, not to mention donations to the charity for educational support. However, can this one project solve all poverty and drug abuse in Peru? No. It is important that volunteers and the volunteering industry recognise that implying this is wrong.