Now we are going to explore the idea of ‘Flipping the Narrative’ and look at if we approached global development in a context centred around the Global South being the ‘saviors’ of Europe.

This website will focus on African volunteers going to help in marginalized or economically disadvantaged communities in Europe. This changes the dynamics significantly because now it’s a case of volunteers from the African continent traveling to a Western country, potentially driven by a desire to “help” those in need, which raises interesting ethical and cultural considerations—particularly when it comes to perceptions of race, privilege, and the power dynamics of international volunteering.

Exploring Volunteerism Europe: The Global South Helping the Global North

Currently, much of the narrative surrounding volunteerism is framed through the lens of “the West helping the rest,” but how would it look if the roles were reversed?. What does it mean when volunteers from African countries travel to Europe to "help" economically disadvantaged communities? Are they reinforcing certain power dynamics, or does it challenge traditional narratives of who "needs help"?

Have you ever considered volunteering in Europe to help economically marginalized communities?

On this site, you’ll explore a few volunteer programs that send African volunteers to Europe to assist in communities that are often stereotyped as being in need. As you go through these examples, consider the role of race, privilege, and global dynamics. What does it mean for African volunteers to offer help in one of the world’s perceived ‘wealthiest’ nations, and how does it challenge or reinforce assumptions about who can and should be helping?