QueRico!
Non Profit Volunteering Worldwide; We were all volunteers just like you and having all experienced the highs and lows of volunteering. So whilst we aim to change things for the better, we may not always get things right, but it won't be for lack of trying. Our mission is simple; "Provide skilled volunteers whose skills and money will bring about a positive change to the communities we support"
Member since: 15 Aug 2008
How the minimum criteria of the responsible travel standard was met...
Economic responsibility
- Our programmes are never an alternative to local employment, in fact they improve the chances of local employment. We only work with local NGO partners, who employ a minimum of 90% local staff
- Volunteering leads to positive investment in the future of the communities in which we work. We always ensure that our projects are financially supported year round and are not reliant on volunteers.
- Going local. Buying foods locally, supporting local businesses and employing a local workforce for all skilled in-country labour. Visiting and working with locally run social projects. We only use small local operators for accom, ensuring the community benefits
Environmental responsibility
- We run a paper free office - we don't send out brochures and we encourage our clients to only 'print' what they need. We ask all clients to pay $25 to have 3 trees planted on their behalf in our 3 4 1 trees for life programme - to us this is more tangible than using one of the large offsetting organisations.
- Running projects that actively improve the environment and include providing education to local communities about the preservation and sustainable use of resources. We actively support full recycling. We advise volunteers about all materials and we are involved in a recycling project in Tanzania and one in Thailand
- We actively support several conservation efforts including funding for a reforestation project in Cambodia - all volunteers are also asked to contribute in terms of time and money, supporting animal conservation / environmental programmes in South Africa and Cambodia - via our skilled volunteers.
Social responsibility
- This is at the core of everything we do. We operate on a totally not for profit basis – we make NO money ourselves. Volunteering must form part of an overall local led strategy and should empower the next generation
- We provide all volunteers with a full induction before they go and on arrival – this focuses on the importance of respect and cultural diversity. We always ensure that our new projects are researched fully taking local needs fully into account – the projects MUST benefit the community economically and developmentally. Cultural considerations are always taken into account
- We supply the communities and projects we support with the skills, resources and tools that will allow them to determine their own future. We directly employ a team of 5 in Bolivia (all nationals) and our policy is moving forward is at least 50% local paid staff. We provide training and career development support
