A Child before a Bride

A Child before a Bride: exploring the problem of dowry in India and South Asia 

The latest available national data on child marriage in India, collected in 2019–2021,  reveal substantial progress, but also expose the limits of national averages. The  proportion of women aged 20–24 who were married before eighteen fell from  approximately 53% in 1996 to 23% in 2021. Yet this reduction has been far from uniform: prevalence remains particularly high in West Bengal, at 42%; Bihar, at 41%; Tripura, at 40%; and Jharkhand, at 32%. Behind the language of improvement, nearly one in four young women nationally had entered marriage before adulthood. Progress deserves recognition, but these figures still describe childhoods cut short and futures negotiated before girls could meaningfully choose them. Understanding these inequalities requires looking beyond explanations that reduce child marriage to religious tradition. UNFPA’s analysis of Bihar, based on the National Family Health 

Survey, reveals striking differences associated with education, wealth, and residence. Child marriage affected approximately 54% of young women from the poorest households, compared with 9% from the wealthiest; prevalence was also higher in rural than urban areas. These associations do not establish a single cause, but demonstrate how profoundly unequal the circumstances surrounding marriage remain. Social traditions and economic insecurity can reinforce each other, particularly where daughters are treated as financial responsibilities whose future belongs to another household. This is where child marriage intersects with dowry: transfers of money, goods, or property from the bride’s family to the groom or his family. The UNFPA–UNICEF review, Child Marriage and Other Harmful Practices, describes how marriage payments can sustain early marriage across South Asia, including India. In some contexts, younger brides require smaller dowries, creating an incentive for families to arrange marriages earlier. The reasoning is brutally transactional: delaying a daughter’s marriage may be perceived as increasing its cost, while marrying her young promises to contain expenditure. The review also connects preferences for younger brides with expectations that they will be easier to control and less likely to challenge the marital household. Economic calculation thus becomes inseparable from the demand for female submission. However, poverty alone cannot explain the practice, which also persists among wealthier families. Gender hierarchies, social prestige, and fears concerning sexuality and family honour can sustain marriage arrangements even where financial necessity is less acute. These realities must be considered against India’s international human rights commitments. India acceded to the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1992, undertaking obligations concerning children’s protection and development. Marriage during childhood can undermine the rights to education, health, protection from violence, and participation in decisions affecting one’s life. 

India is also a party to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, although its declarations concerning community customs and marriage registration reveal tensions surrounding implementation. Its declaration on compulsory registration, for example, invoked the practical difficulties posed by the country’s size and diversity. Such positions raise a fundamental question: how can universal rights be secured when their implementation must confront practices defended through community authority? The Sustainable Development Goals provide another benchmark. Target 5.3 calls for the elimination of child, early, and forced marriage by 2030; unlike treaty obligations, this is a global political and development commitment. Achieving it requires interventions that address the conditions making early marriage appear desirable or unavoidable. Accessible secondary education, meaningful employment opportunities, social protection, and support services must accompany efforts to challenge dowry demands and restrictive gender norms. 

Programme design also matters: the UNFPA–UNICEF review documents cases in which financial incentives intended to delay marriage were absorbed into dowry or wedding expenses. Such findings expose the limits of interventions that leave underlying power relations intact. Success cannot mean merely moving a wedding beyond a girl’s eighteenth birthday. It must mean expanding her power to decide whether, when, and whom to marry. Until her future ceases to be treated as a family transaction, declining statistics will tell only part of the story.

Recognising the girl child as a subject of rights demands more than international commitments: it requires examining how India’s domestic laws have evolved, whose interests they have protected, and whether they have secured her recognition as a person before treating her as a wife.

-Valentina Savino 

• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). (n.d.). India country profile. Child 

Marriage Data Portal. 

• United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). (2022). Child marriage in Bihar: Key 

insights from the NFHS-5 (2019–21). Analytical Paper Series #1A. 

• United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) & United Nations Children’s Fund 

(UNICEF). (2020). Child marriage and other harmful practices: A desk review of 

evidence from South Asia. UNFPA. 

• United Nations. (1979). Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of 

Discrimination against Women. United Nations Treaty Collection. 

• United Nations. Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and 

girls.

United Nations Day: The Double Driving Force of Change.

 

United Nations Day: The Double Driving Force of Change.

 24 October, we celebrate United Nations Day. This date marks the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945. From the ashes of the Second World War, global leaders founded this organisation to guarantee peace, dialogue, and international cooperation. Currently, the UN action plans are guided by the 2030 Agenda. This historic universal programme was adopted by world leaders in September 2015. It was created to complete the work of the previous Millennium Development Goals, tackling the global challenges left unresolved. The 2030 Agenda is not something to be confined only to the top echelons of the UN, but it calls upon every single citizen of the world to commit. Indeed, true change requires a double driving force. It needs commitment from the top, through institutions and international treaties. But above all, it requires a strong push from the bottom, built through the practical,daily efforts of civil society.

Let us go into the details of the 2030 Agenda. Conceptually, its spirit is summarised by a clear principle: "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" (Brundtland Report, 1987). Concretely, this programme divides global challenges into precise categories, encompassing all 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Goals 1 to 4, along with Goal 6, relate to primary human needs. They aim to eradicate poverty and hunger, guaranteeing health, quality education, and universal access to clean water and sanitation. Goals 5, 10, and 16 focus on social justice. They promote gender equality, reduce inequalities, and build peaceful institutions. The group of Goals from 7 to 12, joined by 17, tackles economic development and cooperation. It demands clean energy, decent work, innovation, sustainable cities, responsible consumption, and global partnerships. Finally, Goals 13 to 15 protect the planet, imposing urgent climate action and the safeguarding of marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

Let us take a specific case: India, where the WASH sector faces enormous challenges. Almost half of the schools lack vital resources such as safe drinking water, separate toilets, and functioning sinks. This shortage threatens students' health, as drinking contaminated water and not washing hands encourage the spread of diseases and infections. Furthermore, these bad hygienic conditions discourage the continuation of their studies, leading many youths to drop out of school early.

This is exactly where the bottom-up push comes into play. Many Indian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are working hard to resolve this emergency by operating in two ways. First, they educate young people on correct hygiene procedures (such as using soap and managing personal cleanliness). Second, they raise funds to install fundamental infrastructure, like water filters and safe sanitation facilities. Thanks to the help of teachers, volunteers, and donors, NGOs transform the school environment, providing the missing physical structures and guiding children towards healthy new habits. At this point,the virtuous cycle is triggered: the students return home and teach their parents what they have learned, spreading change throughout society.

As the case of the WASH sector in India demonstrates, the 2030 Agenda requires a perfect synergy between two forces. The top echelons of the UN determine the guidelines and conceptual rules to follow. However, on a practical level, a bottom-up push—led by NGOs, educators, and all the figures revolving around them—is equally essential. These two dimensions are interdependent: top-down directives without bottom-up action remain empty, while grassroots work without global goals is disorganised. Both are vital. This collective effort involves every one of us. As a citizen, you can actively participate in this grassroots movement in two ways. The first is physical: you can apply as a volunteer and work on the ground with one of these organisations. The second is financial: you can support these projects with a donation. Even a small contribution concretely helps to build a better world.

-Piero Rigoni

 

Fundraising Link : Please Support and Share!

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-children-in-slums-and-rural-areas-build-their-future?utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp30-treatment-3&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&lang=it_IT*

Know Yourself: A Practical Guide to Emotional Intelligence

Know Yourself: A Practical Guide to Emotional Intelligence

We live in a culture that loves labels. From an early age, we are taught to divide our experiences into neat little drawers. Happiness, fun, and calm are "good" emotions, while anger, sadness, and anxiety are labeled as "negative". Society tells us to smile more, always dry our tears, and keep our impulses under control. Are we sure, however, that this is the correct approach? Let's think about how excessive cheerfulness or forced optimism can prove counterproductive, for example when facing a critical work situation or a bereavement, preventing us from lucidly assessing real risks and dangers. Conversely,sadness can be extremely effective in certain circumstances: allowing ourselves to cry and welcoming pain slows down our pace, stimulates the empathy of those around us, and offers us the necessary space to process a loss and reflect deeply. Similarly, anger is not always a flaw to be suppressed; in many instances, it becomes a precious and effective resource for defending one's personal boundaries, protecting the vulnerable, or standing up against injustice. These cases show us how there are no absolute positive or negative emotions, but the value of an emotion depends on the context. It is therefore necessary to know how to listen to one's emotions and how to use the most suitable one. We could call this ability emotional intelligence.

The fundamental starting point for developing this emotional intelligence is a deep knowledge of oneself. We often live on autopilot, passively enduring external events and reacting on instinct to every minor provocation. Becoming aware of our inner world means instead developing what psychology defines as self-awareness, which is the ability to tune into one's moods in real time. Knowing oneself thoroughly does not mean seeking rigid control or unattainable perfection, but learning to observe one's thoughts and reactions without judgment. When we recognize what is happening inside us, we stop being at the mercy of circumstances and create a precious breathing space between what happens and how we choose to respond, turning every emotion into an ally rather than an enemy.

To navigate this vast inner territory with precision and give a name to what we feel, an extraordinary visual tool comes to our aid: the Mood Meter. This is a diagram structured as a grid divided into four colored quadrants, organized around two fundamental axes. On the vertical axis, we find energy levels, ranging from low to high, while the horizontal axis features the degree of pleasantness, from unpleasant to pleasant. This map allows us to place every mood in its specific space: the top left features high-energy yet unpleasant emotions such as anger or stress, while the bottom right holds low-energy and pleasant feelings such as serenity and tranquility. To choose which state to activate, we use precise criteria based on the quadrants: we turn to a high-energy emotion when we need to act quickly, face a dynamic challenge, or forcefully defend our boundaries; we opt for a low-energy emotion instead when we need to slow down, recover our strength, or reflect calmly in a moment of quiet; we favor a high-pleasantness emotion when the goal is to foster cooperation, social harmony, and relational well-being; finally, we use a low-pleasantness emotion (such as healthy determination or measured annoyance) when we need to signal that something is wrong, set limits, or address an injustice with resolve. The Mood Meter thus offers us an immediate visual compass to map our state, helping us consciously choose the wisest and most ecological attitude for the context.

These capacities for self-awareness and contextual analysis are not innate and immutable gifts, but actual skills that must be trained throughout the course of life. It is beneficial to begin training an individual in

these qualities from a young age, so as to make them emotionally intelligent right from the start. In reality,it is never too late to do so: even in adulthood, embarking on this path of growth allows us to develop greater inner flexibility and radically improve our relationships. After all, the key to well-being does not lie in suppressing what we feel, but in thoroughly understanding its nature. Emotions are not obstacles to fight or hide under the rug, but precious compasses to listen to: let us learn to know them, because only what we understand stops frightening us and becomes our strength.

-Piero Rigoni

Bibliography

CASEL. "Fundamentals of SEL." Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning. Accessed

October 17, 2026. https://casel.org.

Goleman, Daniel. Emotional Intelligence. New York: Bantam Books, 1995. Specifically Chapter 4,

"Know Thyself."

Gottman, John, and Joan DeClaire. Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child: The Heart of Parenting.

New York: Simon & Schuster, 1997. Specifically Chapter 2, "The Five Key Steps for Emotion Coaching,"

and Chapter 3, "Emotion-Coaching Strategies.

Safe Spaces, Strong Minds: How School Protects Mental Health

Safe Spaces, Strong Minds: How School Protects Mental Health

Every year, 10 October marks World Mental Health Day. We hear the term mental health mentioned very often today, but what does it really mean? According to the World Health Organization, mental health is a positive state of wellbeing in which an individual can realise their own abilities, cope with the normal stresses of life, and contribute to their community.

For many years, mental health has only been discussed in moments of crisis, as if it were simply the absence of illness or something confined to clinic rooms. Yet true mental health is fundamentally necessary. It is an essential human asset, vital for every person without distinction of gender, ethnicity, or age. Speaking of age, childhood is where this journey truly begins. A child’s emotional wellbeing is shaped directly by the places where they grow and learn—most importantly, at school. In other words, education is far more than lessons and textbooks: it is the very foundation of lifelong mental health.

In fact, for a young person, school is much more than a building with desks and blackboards. When learning environments are safe, welcoming, and predictable, schools act as an emotional anchor.Outside the school gates, children everywhere can face difficult challenges, from economic hardship and family stress to social uncertainty. Inside, a supportive school provides a dependable routine, warm encouragement from teachers, and a space where every student feels seen, valued, and protected. 

As international research by UNICEF shows, safe and stimulating schools serve as essential foundations that help children cultivate resilience. This inner resilience is what empowers young people to navigate adversity and hold on to their hopes for tomorrow, forming the bedrock of mental wellbeing.

Beyond offering a protective shelter, education equips children with practical tools to understand themselves and relate to others. Just as students learn reading and mathematics, they can also learn how to manage their emotions and navigate challenges. When schools integrate social and emotional learning into everyday lessons, young people discover how to resolve disagreements peacefully, communicate with empathy, and manage stress. These life skills are not optional luxuries; they are fundamental protective factors. When children learn early how to express their feelings and ask for help, their risk of developing anxiety and depression drops significantly, instilling a lasting self-assurance that carries into adulthood—the core foundation of everyday health and human flourishing. Perhaps the greatest strength of education is that it naturally brings young people together. At its heart,school is a shared community where children learn alongside their peers, discover that they are not alone,and build friendships that protect against isolation.

Around the world, an estimated 1 in 7 adolescents aged 10 to 19 lives with a mental health condition (UNICEF, The State of the World’s Children 2021). Yet millions suffer in silence because of shame, fear, and social stigma.Being together in the classroom changes this dynamic completely. When students grow, talk, and face daily challenges side by side, emotional wellbeing stops being a taboo secret. It is not about singling anyone out or treating difficulties as personal flaws, but about shared human experience. 

By encouraging young people to listen to one another and speak openly, schools normalise emotional struggles and break the silence that feeds prejudice. In a caring community, asking for help is no longer seen as a weakness. but recognised as an act of courage—reminding every child that they never have to carry their burdens alone, creating a vital shield for their mental wellbeing.

In reflecting on the journey of growing up, the true value of education becomes unmistakable. School is not merely an academic stepping stone: it is the safe harbour where resilience takes root, the classroom where emotional life skills are learned, and the shared community where no young person has to feel alone.

Protecting mental wellbeing during these formative years does far more than help children navigate youth; it equips them with the emotional strength, empathy, and self-confidence needed to thrive throughout adulthood. When we nurture young minds, we prepare them for life itself.

If we truly wish to build a world where every mind can flourish, the classroom is where we must begin.

To educate a child is not just to teach them how to make a living, but to give them the foundation to live well—in mind, body, and spirit.

By Piero Rigoni, HEEALS

Bibliography

United Nations Children’s Fund, The State of the World’s Children 2021: On My Mind – Promoting,

Protecting and Caring for Children’s Mental Health (New York: UNICEF, 2021), 30, 35, 79, 114.

World Health Organization, Guidelines on Mental Health Promotive and Preventive Interventions for

Adolescents: Helping Adolescents Thrive (Geneva: World Health Organization, 2020), xi, 14

Maintaining oral health isn’t just about having a good smile !

Maintaining oral health isn’t just about having a good smile — it’s about our overall well-being. While modern-day diets (food and drinks) are enjoyable, they pose a significant impact on our dental health. Depending on what we eat, we can either harm or protect our teeth and gums. We will explore how what we eat directly affects oral health, and methods to keep teeth and gums healthy. By Dr. Prateeksha (Dentist )

I. Dangers of Sugar:

Sugar is the worst enemy your teeth can encounter. When you consume sugary foods/beverages, the bacteria in the mouth break down the sugar and produce acid as a byproduct in your mouth. These foods accelerate the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth which then attack enamel of the tooth. A diet rich in processed foods can lead to dental caries, gum disease and ultimately tooth loss. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), dental caries are the most common non-communicable disease worldwide and diet plays a vital role in its development.

II. Harms of soft drinks and junk food:

Soft drinks, due to their high sugar content, feed the bacteria in the mouth, eventually producing acid, which in turn attacks tooth enamel, leading to decay and cavities. This erodes the enamel, this process is known as Erosion. This makes the teeth more susceptible to decay, and once enamel is eroded, it is very difficult to repair, leaving the teeth vulnerable to sensitivity, discolouration, and decay. Furthermore, regular consumption of these drinks can lead to dry mouth and decreased saliva production, which can further lead to bad breath and ulcerations in the mouth.

On the other hand, foods rich in carbs, with a lot of sugar and starches, are another factor of declining oral health. This may include sugary candies, cookies, bread, etc, they act as a catalyst in feeding the bacteria, which convert sugar to acids. Constant snacking throughout the day gives less time for the saliva to recover and maintain the mouth’s microbial balance hence causing tooth decay. Junk food usually lacks the essential vitamins and minerals to fight off infections, weakening the immune system and leading to gum disease eventually, and susceptibility to cavities.

III. Solution

A vitamin and mineral rich diet forms the foundation of good oral health, for example Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits, berries, bell peppers and leafy greens, is essential for maintaining healthy gums and because it supports collagen production, the protein  holding the gum tissue together. With a deficiency of vitamin C, gums can become swollen, weakened and prone to bleeding, and in severe, long-term deficiency this can progress to gum disease. 

Calcium and vitamin D work as a team for strong teeth: calcium, sourced from dairy products such as cheese, yoghurt and milk, supplies the mineral structure of the teeth and jawbone, while vitamin D enables the body to actually absorb and use that calcium, in addition to helping regulate the immune response in the gum tissue.

Vitamin A, present in carrots, sweet potatoes and dark leafy vegetables, supports saliva production and the healing of oral tissue, and a deficiency in it can contribute to dry mouth and a higher risk of infection. Together, these nutrients don’t just prevent damage, they actively help the mouth defend and repair itself.

Hydration is just as important as nutrition. Drinking water helps produce saliva, which is very important in protecting the teeth: saliva neutralises the acid produced in the mouth due to its alkaline nature, washes away food particles. To stay hydrated properly, at least 2–3L of water every day is advised, and where available, fluoridated tap water offers the added benefit of strengthening enamel from the outside as good nutrition strengthens it from within.

Beyond diet, there are a few simple habits that go a long way in maintaining oral health. Reducing overall consumption of sugary and processed foods is the best choice one can make, and it helps to avoid sugary drinks before bedtime, when saliva flow naturally slows and acids stay longer on the teeth. Rinsing the mouth with water after every meal helps clear away the remaining sugars and acids between brushings. On top of this, brushing at least twice a day for two minutes with fluoridated toothpaste remains the most important part of daily care, protecting the enamel externally the way a good diet protects it internally. Additionally, regular flossing, antibacterial mouthwashes and tongue cleaning also helps in preventing the buildup of plaque and reducing the risk of decay.

Conclusion

Diet plays a major role in oral health. By understanding the impact of sugary foods and drinks, you can make smarter choices to protect your teeth and gums. With the correct diet, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy for life.

Rethinking International Volunteering

 

Rethinking International Volunteering: Should Universities Expect Grassroots NGOs in Developing Countries to Host International Volunteers Free of Charge?

By Gaurav Kashyap
Managing Director, HEEALS (Health Education Environment and Livelihood Society), India

 

International Volunteering Is Meant to Build Global Citizenship—Not Financial Burdens for Grassroots NGOs

Every year, universities across the United Kingdom and Europe encourage thousands of students to volunteer internationally. These experiences are promoted as opportunities to develop leadership, intercultural understanding, professional skills, and a deeper appreciation of global challenges while contributing to communities around the world.

It is a commendable objective.

However, there is a fundamental question that is rarely discussed:

Is it fair to expect grassroots NGOs in developing countries to provide free accommodation, food, transportation, supervision, and project management for international volunteers simply because they are "volunteers"?

Many universities have policies under which volunteer opportunities advertised through their careers or volunteering services are expected to be unpaid and, in many cases, only allow volunteers to be reimbursed for reasonable expenses rather than paying programme fees. These policies are understandable in their domestic context, where volunteering is often local and organizations may have access to public funding or established volunteer infrastructures.

But when these same expectations are applied to international volunteering in developing countries, they can unintentionally exclude the very grassroots organizations that are creating the greatest social impact.

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The Reality of Grassroots NGOs

Across India, Nepal, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Bangladesh, Cambodia, and many other developing nations, thousands of local NGOs work every day in communities facing poverty, poor sanitation, gender inequality, inadequate healthcare, climate vulnerability, and limited educational opportunities.

Unlike large international organizations, grassroots NGOs generally:

• operate with very limited budgets;
• rely on small donations and project-based grants;
• receive little unrestricted funding;
• employ small teams;
• prioritize spending on community programmes rather than administrative overhead.

These organizations are not businesses.

Nor are they wealthy institutions.

Their limited financial resources are dedicated to serving vulnerable communities.

 

Hosting International Volunteers Is Not Free

There is a widespread misconception that volunteers cost organizations nothing.

The reality is very different.

Hosting one international volunteer often requires:

• airport pickup and drop-off;
• safe accommodation;
• three daily meals;
• local transportation;
• orientation programmes;
• cultural briefings;
• project supervision;
• staff mentoring;
• administrative coordination;
• office facilities;
• field visits;
• emergency support;
• safeguarding measures;
• monitoring and evaluation.

Every volunteer requires planning, staff time, logistical support, and financial investment.

For many grassroots NGOs, these costs are substantial.

 

Who Should Bear These Costs?

This is perhaps the most important question.

Should a small community-based NGO in rural India, already struggling to fund education programmes for disadvantaged children, also finance the accommodation and meals of international volunteers arriving from some of the world's wealthiest economies?

Should organizations serving vulnerable communities divert funds intended for women, children, health programmes, or sanitation projects simply to ensure that volunteers pay nothing?

Most people would agree that this expectation is difficult to justify.

 

International Volunteers Also Benefit

Volunteering is often portrayed as an act of giving.

It certainly is.

But it is equally an opportunity for learning.

Students gain:

• international work experience;
• intercultural competence;
• practical field skills;
• research opportunities;
• professional development;
• academic credits in some programmes;
• leadership experience;
• enhanced employability.

For many graduates, international volunteering significantly strengthens their CV and opens future career opportunities.

This means volunteering is not a one-sided relationship.

It creates value for both the community and the volunteer.

Recognising this mutual benefit makes it reasonable for participants to contribute towards the actual costs of their stay.

 

Paying Universities Is Accepted—Why Not Supporting Grassroots NGOs?

Every year, students willingly invest significant sums in:

• university tuition;
• study abroad programmes;
• international field schools;
• exchange programmes;
• educational tours;
• language courses;
• professional training.

These expenses are accepted because students understand they are investing in their education and future.

Yet when a grassroots NGO requests a transparent contribution towards accommodation, meals, transportation, and supervision, the opportunity is sometimes viewed differently.

This creates an inconsistency.

Students may spend thousands of pounds on international education but are discouraged from contributing a modest amount that directly supports the organization hosting them.

 

Programme Fees Are Often Cost Recovery, Not Profit

Another misconception is that NGOs charging programme fees are operating commercially.

For most grassroots organizations, programme contributions simply cover:

• accommodation;
• meals;
• local transport;
• volunteer coordination;
• supervision;
• community activities;
• safety;
• administration.

In many cases, these contributions also help sustain community programmes that would otherwise struggle due to insufficient funding.

They are not profits.

They are operational necessities.

 

Universities Should Distinguish Between Commercial Voluntourism and Grassroots NGOs

Universities are right to protect students from exploitative practices.

Commercial "voluntourism" has rightly received criticism where organizations prioritize profit over community benefit.

However, there is a significant difference between commercial enterprises and registered grassroots NGOs that transparently explain their programme costs and demonstrate measurable social impact.

Treating both in the same way risks excluding genuine organizations that are creating meaningful change in underserved communities.

A more nuanced approach would better serve both students and communities.

 

Let Students Make Informed Choices

Universities exist to educate, empower, and encourage critical thinking.

Rather than deciding in advance which opportunities students may or may not consider based solely on programme fees, universities could provide transparent information and allow students to make informed decisions.

If an NGO clearly explains:

• what the programme involves;
• what costs are included;
• how the funds are used;
• how volunteers will be supported;
• the expected learning outcomes;

students should be trusted to decide whether the opportunity aligns with their goals and financial circumstances.

Transparency should be the standard—not automatic exclusion.

 

Supporting the Principle of Localization

The international development community increasingly emphasizes localization—recognizing that local organizations are best placed to understand community needs and deliver sustainable solutions.

Governments, donors, and international agencies frequently speak about strengthening local leadership and increasing direct support for community-based organizations.

Yet if university policies effectively prevent students from even seeing opportunities offered by grassroots NGOs because those organizations cannot subsidize volunteers, this unintentionally undermines the very principle of localization.

Supporting local organizations means recognising their realities—not expecting them to operate with the resources of international institutions.

 

A More Equitable Partnership Model

Instead of excluding organizations that request reasonable programme contributions, universities could adopt a more balanced approach.

Volunteer opportunities could be promoted provided that:

• organizations are legally registered;
• safeguarding standards are met;
• programme fees are transparent;
• costs reflect genuine operational expenses;
• learning outcomes are clearly defined.

Universities could also:

• offer bursaries or travel scholarships;
• encourage ethical international volunteering;
• educate students about the financial realities of grassroots organizations;
• build long-term partnerships with trusted NGOs.

Such an approach benefits everyone.

Students gain meaningful international experiences.

Communities continue receiving valuable support.

Grassroots organizations remain financially sustainable.

 

International Volunteering Should Be Based on Partnership, Not Charity

Perhaps the most important shift is philosophical.

International volunteering should not be viewed as wealthy countries "helping" poorer countries.

Instead, it should be understood as a partnership built on mutual learning, shared responsibility, and respect.

Grassroots NGOs provide knowledge, experience, community trust, and opportunities for learning that cannot be replicated in a classroom.

International volunteers bring enthusiasm, skills, fresh perspectives, and intercultural exchange.

Both sides contribute.

Both sides benefit.

Therefore, both sides should share responsibility for making these programmes sustainable.

 

Conclusion

International volunteering has enormous potential to promote global citizenship, empathy, and sustainable development.

But for this potential to be realised, policies must reflect the realities of those working closest to vulnerable communities.

Grassroots NGOs in developing countries are not luxury institutions.

They are mission-driven organizations operating with limited resources while addressing some of the world's most pressing social and environmental challenges.

Expecting them to finance accommodation, meals, transportation, supervision, and programme management for international volunteers is often unrealistic and inequitable.

Universities should continue protecting students from exploitation—but they should also recognise the legitimate costs faced by ethical, community-based organizations.

Rather than excluding opportunities that involve reasonable programme contributions, universities should promote transparency, informed choice, and equitable partnerships.

International volunteering should empower both students and host communities. Achieving that goal requires moving beyond the assumption that every volunteer placement must be free for participants and instead embracing a model based on shared responsibility, mutual respect, and sustainable collaboration.

 

Author's Note

This article is not an argument against unpaid volunteering or student protection policies. Rather, it is a call to recognize the financial realities faced by grassroots organizations in low- and middle-income countries. Ethical international volunteering depends on transparency, accountability, and fairness for all stakeholders—including the local organizations that make these transformative experiences possible.