<p>Many international organizations recognize that American youths visiting third world countries are some of their most powerful assets and future revenue sources. They welcome these “unskilled” laborers because it’s our youth who have the most time and their futures in front of them to continue to contribute to their coffers, their volunteer base and their organizational structure.</p>
<p>There is much more needed than just building houses. Some of the kids I know have gone to Africa and returned to accomplish some of these goals: instituted goat and chicken farming projects to provide income and food to families; created multi-media projects for the organizations from photos and videos from their visits that have made resulted in increased contributions to and awareness of their organizations; organized fund raising activities in American schools that have provided “scholarships” for African teens to continue their education (you have to pay for your high school education in Africa). And, oftentimes even more important, is the encouragement their visits give to the volunteer workers already there.</p>
<p>A visit is, in essence, oftentimes more important and can ultimately be much more valuable, than contributing the value of an airline ticket.</p>