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A Third Man In Film Inspired by the novel Peace of Me

Volunteering is hip, but does it help?

Spring Break in Third World Peru

H.O.P.E. Was Here explores the merits--and the pitfalls--of short-term volunteering abroad. Twenty Stonehill College students journey to the slums of Lima, Peru to live, learn, and volunteer during one of the school’s twelve alternative spring break trips. They spend the week teaching English to schoolchildren and assisting in rehabilitation clinics, but does it make a difference? Told from the contrasting perspectives of the American college students and their Peruvian hosts, H.O.P.E. Was Here delves into the true nature of “voluntourism.”

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Photo credit: Gazteaukera via Flickr

Generation of Do-Gooders

Volunteering on vacation, or “voluntourism,” is a booming travel trend popularized by commercial volunteer companies, universities, and other educational programs. Voluntourism is inspired by faith-based missions and organizations such as the Peace Corps. In the past decade, however, voluntourism has been spurred by disaster relief efforts, such as those in New Orleans and Haiti. Trips last for one week or a few months and usually combine cultural immersion and sightseeing with teaching, construction, childcare, or other projects.

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Photo credit: Gazteaukera via Flickr

The Meaning of Help

Conscientious volunteering abroad can provide legitimate needs to communities, improve cultural understanding, and inspire personal growth in volunteers. But some see “voluntourism” as a tourist attraction unwillingly hosted by the poor, where participants are unskilled, or even unneeded. These ventures may harm or insult the people they are meant to help, all while making volunteers feel good about themselves. This divide has spawned fierce debates about the ethics of voluntourism, and whether or not its practice is worthwhile.

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Photo credit: Gazteaukera via Flickr

Made possible by these great organizations and individuals:

Ryan Thurston

“Happy to support another filmmaker with an important story to tell.”

Aleks Jonca

“Good luck! Mind sending me a copy when you are done? :-D”

Brian Kannry

“Good stuff! I’m passing this along to my friends who do volunteer work overseas.”

Sean Culver

“What an interesting topic! This should generate some great discussions.”

The Borruso Family

“Very cool! We're happy to help.”

The Denega Family

“So proud!”

Samantha Grant

“I think it’s great what you’re doing. Best of luck!”

Brianne Lugo

“This is going to be amazing. I wish I could donate more!”

Kerry Kennedy

“Interested to see how Stonehill's trip compares to the one I did at Boston College.”

Erin Miscioscia

“Good luck finishing the film! Can't wait to see it!”

Vivian Park

Anisha Patel

“I wish you all the best of luck in Peru!”

Micha Sabovik

“Always happy to help our alums of Boston University. Good luck!”

The Morellos

“This is an awesome thing you are doing. We’re happy to donate.”

Jessica Long

“I'm excited to see how the film explores perspectives we might not otherwise be exposed to.”

The Rice Family

"Good Luck!"

Erik Proctor

Kelly Siss

“I spent 10 days on a service / immersion trip to El Salvador so I’m excited to see this!”

Duncan Street

Justin Thompson

Love you guys! Make this thing!

Michael Wittich

Jason Kashdan

"As a Spanish speaker and fellow documentarian, how could I not help? Good luck!"

Stephanie Semet

Paul Kresge

Eric Strow

"I look forward to the film indulging my curiosity about volunteer abroad issues."

George Huber

Spencer Arritt

"Great to finally see a film that covers both sides of the voluntourism experience."

Máire Hatch

"Good luck Mark!"

Jeanne Swick

"Best of luck with the film! Hope all goes well!"

Kevin Robitaille

Thomas Robinson

Allison Wilhite

"Watching the First Look brought back a flood of memories from my trip to Peru."

Sarah Long

"I'm interested to see what type of impact international volunteering actually has."

All Rights Reserved © Third Man In, LLC - H.O.P.E. Was Here - A Volunteer Travel Documentary

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All donations are tax deductible through Creative Visions Foundation, a publicly recognized 501(c)(3) that supports creative activists who use media and the arts to affect positive change in the world.

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