For Enrolled Volunteers

Gift Giving Policy

1. Giving Money

During their stay, Cross-Cultural Solutions volunteers may encounter persons or organizations that are in need of money. Also, persons asking for money may approach them directly. In either case, Cross-Cultural Solutions forbids the direct giving of money to beneficiaries.

This practice goes directly against Cross-Cultural Solutions' philosophy of "empowerment, not charity." Giving money directly to people creates a sense of dependency in the local community. This paternalistic approach actually takes power away from people and makes them dependent on outsiders.

It is very important not to have a financial relationship between Cross-Cultural Solutions, or any of its volunteers, and our partner projects. This is how we can be sure that our volunteers are making a difference. If we were giving money to our partner projects, we could never be sure of the projects' motivations for requesting volunteers.

Therefore, because we do not contribute money to our partner projects and they continue to request Cross-Cultural Solutions volunteers, we can be certain that we are truly helping the projects.

2. Giving Gifts

The giving of gifts is also strongly discouraged. We recommend that the best gift volunteers can give is their friendship. Occasionally, it can get uncomfortable if participants have received a gift from a local person. In this case, a gift of a similar value may be appropriate. Volunteers should consult the Country Director for guidance.

In any case, indiscriminate, direct, mass gift-giving is strictly forbidden. This includes passing out candies or toys at schools or in communities. In cases where gifts are appropriate, they should always be given to the project director or community leader to distribute.

3. Giving Materials

Many times volunteers ask if they can bring materials for the people with whom they will be working. However well-intentioned this idea is, it is discouraged. While this is a policy that can be modified occasionally by the Country Director, we have listed a few of the reasons why we discourage volunteers from bringing materials from home to their placements.

The material that is brought on most occasions has the potential to be culturally biased and the concept could be alien to the community and the culture.

If the organization needs more of the material, they might not be able to find a local source. Hence, it is a one-time gift, and they will be dependent on future gifts.

If one teaches using foreign teaching aids, one may end up teaching a concept that is very subjective and the student may not be able to apply it in his or her own culture.

Relying on materials from the local market gives the volunteer and the host NGO the chance to explore local resources and think of alternative ways of doing things. This can be a very exciting and challenging experience.

If there are certain materials that are needed in the country that are not culturally sensitive, such as medical supplies, the Country Director will inform volunteers who want to bring items from their home countries. The volunteers should turn over their donated items to the Country Director upon arrival in the country. Then, he or she can determine a distribution system that will work with the goal of empowerment.

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