In just under a week, I take off for The Global Citizen Project. I’ve been busy filing last minute deadlines, inventorying the contents of my strategically-packed-like-a-Girl Scout duffle bag and snapping photos in the event I need to make an insurance claim. (I do have $2,500USD coverage with my World Nomads travel insurance in case my luggage is lost, damaged or stolen).
Anyway, everything has been smooth sailing in project planning land until I received an email earlier this week stating that the organization designated for my September volunteer project, Santa Martha Rescue was closing its doors – this Saturday. (I did not see this link/bulletin board until after-the-fact and the Center immediately pulled their website down.) Sure, it’s disappointing that I won’t be able to work with this wild animal sanctuary and rehabilitation and release center, but the real heartbreak is that I already booked an $827 non-refundable, roundtrip ticket to Quito, Ecuador.
It’s one thing for an organization’s powers-that-be to make an executive decision to not accept volunteers after a specific date, but it’s an entirely other level of uncoolness to give volunteers who’ve committed their time and money to show up for confirmed dates the heave ho. An email from the center’s volunteer coordinator, Monica Beacroft, conveys the reason for closure: “Volunteers come here from all over the world and have a fantastic and memorable time here, however for some they find it difficult, the different way that things are done here and in Europe for example. Those that find it hard often complain about these things, and for the owners, it is hard to constantly be criticised by people when they are doing their best for the animals in a country that doesn´t have the same economic benefits or infrastructures as the western world.” Okay, so maybe if the Center’s funding ran out, I’d have some empathy, but basically, its closing comes down the owners having thin skins. C’mon now, that’s unprofessional and so not acceptable.
Needless to say, I’m beyond frustrated and despite countless emails seeking resolution, haven’t gotten more than some that’s-the-way-the-cookie-crumbles B.S. and zero response from the owners, despite my repeated requests for contact. Right now, I’m sitting on an $827 non-refundable ticket to Quito. Either I need to come up with a new volunteer project in Ecuador for the exact dates in September (unlikely, despitre my best R&D), Santa Martha Rescue needs to reimburse me the $200 change fee it will cost to change or rebook the ticket (the preferred solution), American Airlines shows some compassion and waives the rebooking fee, or in some stroke of luck, this incident falls under my World Nomads travel insurance’s “Trip Cancellation” definitions (highly unlikely).
The million dollar question is: Has anyone else been in a similar situation where a confirmed volunteer organization/project has gone belly up after you’ve committed time and money? If so, how did the organization resolve the situation? It’s not convenient, but semi-understandable if an organization has valid reasons for closing, but it must recognize there are consequences to its decisions and actions. As far as I’m concerned, Santa Martha Rescue has not, nor has it made an effort to resolve this situation, thus earning it the highest honors on my voluntourism shit list. If anyone has been in a similar situation, I want to hear how you handled it. Please weigh in here.
Photo courtesy of Jesper Rønn-Jensen