"Whether it’s the trekking guide who shares a closet-sized apartment with his sister, the homestay host who can’t scrape together the cash to repair her leaky roof, or the bright-eyed children who study in a thatched-roof schoolhouse, people in developing regions bring you face-to-face with the massive gaps in standards of living.
Confronting this economic divide can generate powerful emotions ranging from shock to shame to outright anger at the state of the world.
Point these emotions in a constructive direction, though, and you may find yourself planning your next big trip around finding a way to help."
I've been quiet for a few months now, but the whole 'packing up everything I own and moving to Nepal' thing has kept me busy. Here's a piece I just did for MatadorChange.com on planning your own volunteer experience by getting in touch with local NGOs in developing countries that need the skills you already have.
Enjoy!