@GMTplus7 I think the article you linked has merits, even if you accompany it with needless insults. I agree that it is important to understand just what the goal of the trip is and have realistic expectations about whether there are better ways to make a bigger impact. But just because there are programs out there that are poorly thought out and making little significant difference does not mean all service trips abroad are worthless.
An interesting point in the article you posted is that some folks delude themselves into thinking the trip is all about others when the real benefit of the trip is in their own personal growth. And I agree, it’s best to have eyes wide open to that fact. But the article also mentioned that there are good solid programs out there that don’t slap a few odd bricks together and call it a mission trip. The point is, be very clear about what you’re getting into and what the benefit of the trip will be.
Personally, we will have a service element in our next family trip abroad. Our trip will include 4 days of sight-seeing followed by 7 days of working in a special-needs orphanage. This work will coincide with that country’s holiday week in which that orphanage typically gives its local workers time off and typically relies on outside volunteers each year during this week. I suppose @GMTplus7 would prefer if we were to send money so the orphanage could hire local workers for the week, but it’s not always that simple. For one, travel will be paid with miles so only cash outlay for travel is ~$100 each for taxes. And in replacing what is typically a time for family vacation with a combo trip, we’re not reducing what we would otherwise give to charities nor are we participating in fundraising or other special activities. We’re just building a service portion into a trip we’d be taking anyways. And no, I’m not looking for a pat on the back nor will I be using the trip in any promotional way whatsoever. I simply want to point out that even if planned on your own, service abroad is possible in a way that is not negatively impactful in the ways the article mentioned.