Ethical Volunteering & White Savior Complex Training

Empowering Volunteers & Organisations for Ethical & Impactful Engagement

At LPFDev, we provide training that challenges traditional narratives of international volunteering. Our training helps organisations and volunteers move beyond harmful “helping” models toward ethical, & sustainable, and practices of volunteering.

Who We Work With

✔ Organizations Sending Volunteers Abroad – NGOs, universities, gap year programs, and faith-based groups preparing volunteers for international placements.
✔ Individuals Looking to Volunteer Abroad – Volunteers seeking guidance on how to engage responsibly and with cultural humility.

Our Training Services

  • 1. Ethical Volunteering: Moving Beyond the White Savior Complex

    For Volunteers & Organisations

    Understanding the history and impact of the White Savior Complex

    Decolonising international volunteering practices

    Shifting from charity-based models to community-led solutions

    Practical strategies to avoid paternalistic and harmful engagement

  • 2. Pre-Departure & Onboarding Training for Volunteers

    For Organisations & Volunteer Programs

    How to prepare volunteers to work ethically and effectively in host communities

    Cultural humility & reflexivity in international placements

    Recognising and addressing power imbalances in volunteering
    Developing long-term, meaningful partnerships with ‘local’ communities

  • 3. Responsible Program Design for Volunteer-Sending Organisations

    For NGOs, Universities, & Volunteer Programs
    Creating sustainable, community-driven volunteer programs

    Ethical marketing & storytelling: Moving away from poverty porn and savior narratives

    Accountability frameworks to ensure responsible volunteer placement

    Monitoring and evaluating volunteer impact in ethical ways

  • 4. Post-Volunteer Reflection & Accountability Coaching

    For Returned Volunteers & Program Coordinators
    Processing experiences without reinforcing savior narratives
    Reflective storytelling: Ethical ways to share volunteer experiences
    Addressing unconscious bias and unlearning harmful perspectives
    Taking action beyond volunteering – advocacy and long-term impact

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