In Crystal Hayling's "Whose Volunteer Experience is this Anyway?", the author discusses the rise of volunteerism and community service as a method for one to feel good about themselves and gain notoriety. She uses the example of TOMS shoes and their business model of "Buy one, give one" which is basically the customer buying a pair of their shoes knowing that their purchase will also donate a pair to a person who needs a pair of shoes. Hayling criticizes this movement, known as strategic philanthropy, as it is motivated by one thing only - ego. They are there to make us feel like we are doing right in the world, when in reality we are only perpetuating the problem. In the TOMS shoes example, the problem is perpetuated because the company is not helping to promote local shoe makers and businesses in the areas they donate the shoes. As a result, the people become dependent on the shoes they are given. Additionally, the customers who bought one and gave one have a feeling of "pride" and "self-actualization."
I agree with Hayling's argument. We've come to a point in society where it has become "cool" and "hip" to give to charity and do philanthropy projects. There is less of a personal drive to help people. Many people take on volunteer projects for selfish reasons in society, whether it is to boost a resume or to keep up with the in crowd. There is always an underlying tone of self and ego.
This article is very interesting, especially as I begin to prepare for my trip to India. I've been working with my local Nest chapter for the past year, and loved the experience, which is what motivated me to apply for the Summer Fellowship. As I mentioned in my last blog post, if I can feel the impact of change in one person's life as a result of my trip, I will be happy. Is this helping to fuel my ego? I don't really think so. I think that in anything we do as humans, we always want to feel a sense of satisfaction from it. Any task we take on, there has to be a sense of completion. For this reason, I feel that my "sense of completion" would be knowing I've helped someone else.
