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Guest Blog By Erin Brown, Erndala (June 2026)  More people than ever want their travel to mean something. Here’s what that actually looks like — and why it’s harder, and more rewarding, than most programs will tell you. If you’ve ever thought about volunteering abroad, you’ve probably felt the pull: a chance to contribute, to see the world differently, to be part of something that matters. That instinct is real and worth honoring. But anyone who has spent time in the international development world will tell you the same thing: good intentions aren’t enough. And the line between meaningful contribution and unintentional harm is thinner than most volunteer programs acknowledge. WECO is a nonprofit connecting volunteers and donors to vetted, community-led organizations advancing women’s empowerment across Kenya, Peru, India, Cambodia, and Costa Rica. It was built to sit right on that line between good intentions and real impact — and to help people cross it well. A growing industry — and growing questions Volunteer travel is no longer a niche pursuit. According to Grand View Research, the global volunteer tourism market was valued at $848.9 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $1.27 billion by 2030 — growing at 6.1% annually. Each year, more than 10 million international travelers participate in volunteer initiatives worldwide, predominantly from North America and Europe. That scale matters. It means billions of dollars and millions of people-hours are flowing into communities around the world every year — with wildly uneven results. Critics have raised concerns about unskilled volunteers taking on work locals could do better, projects designed around the visitor experience rather than community benefit, and programs that quietly reinforce the very inequalities they claim to address. (See: Doing Good or Doing Harm? A Critical Examination of Voluntourism, Human Rights Research;  |  Voluntourism: new book explores how volunteer trips harm rather than help, The Guardian.) Start with listening, not doing Most volunteer programs start with action: build a school, teach English, paint a community center. WECO has a slightly different approach. Over the course of several conversations, I sat down with Jenny Clark, co-founder of WECO, to understand what this looks like in practice. “We start with needs assessments, understanding the communities that we are working in, and then co-design programming from there.” — Jenny Clark, co-founder, WECO That distinction — listening before acting — sounds simple. In practice, it changes everything. It means

At WECO, we believe lasting change requires both quality partnerships and global networks investing in locally led solutions. Our collaboration with Rotary exemplifies the power of such partnerships in action. Across districts and countries, Rotary clubs have partnered with WECO to support women and girls in building stronger, more resilient futures, through mentorship, education, economic opportunity, and community-led development. From expanding women-led coffee businesses in Costa Rica to building classrooms, pathways to higher education, and sustainable communinty farm initiatives in Kenya, our partnership with Rotary is amplifying our work to create lasting impact.  Strengthening Women-Led Coffee Businesses in Costa Rica  In Costa Rica, WECO has partnered with the Rotary Club of West Seattle and District 5030 Rotary Clubs to support Women’s Mountain Coffee (WMC), a project with a women-led coffee cooperative in La Legua de Aserrí, ASIPROFE. Through a District 5030 Matching Grant and club contributions, we raised $13,000 in 2025 to strengthen the cooperative’s business, provide access to mentorship and training, and expand their production, helping them build pathways to local and international markets.  Since 2021, WECO has helped the cooperative achieve:  78% growth in production output ~3:1 return on investment 150+ direct beneficiaries 44 fanegas processed in the most recent harvest (2 tons!)  This past harvest also marked a major milestone: ASIPROFE completed their first green bean export, opening the door to more stable and higher-value global export markets. The cooperative’s growth has been cultivated by a network of supports, including the local government, WECO, Rotary, and local NGO, Bean Voyage, an organization dedicated to empowering smallholder women coffee farmers in Latin America. This coaltion of collaborative work has been the driving force behind ASIPROFE’s achievements.  Over the past year, they have: Increased prices to reflect growing demand and improve profitability Strengthened roasting quality and consistency Invested in branding, marketing, and customer engagement Improved internal systems, including financial tracking and organizational management They are also currently expanding their infrastructure and operations, including: Upgraded drying systems and greenhouse space (through government-supported funding) A new, more efficient mill secured through interest-free financing New revenue streams through contract processing services Looking ahead, our work will focus on helping the cooperative create a balanced model for exporting a goal of ~30–40% of their coffee in 2026, while continuing to meet increased domestic demand for their roasted coffee. With rising global prices and increased competition from larger buyers, continued support at this stage is

Guest Blog By Arushi Singh In living rooms, libraries, and encrypted WhatsApp groups, a revolution is unfolding. It doesn’t wait for institutional approval and is not fueled by government mandates or corporate social responsibility budgets. Instead, it thrives on something far more enduring: collective wisdom, shared trust, and the power of the circle. Across the globe, women are bypassing traditional power structures to solve the world’s most pressing issues. What begins as a simple gathering becomes a sophisticated engine for social change. At the center of this movement is the rise of women-led nonprofit organizations promoting girls’ rights, expanding access to education, and building intergenerational mentorship networks. These circles often begin with a single concept inspired by a discussion and evolve into powerful forces for social change. From a spark, systems are built, programs are launched, and communities are transformed. This is more than a trend. It is a structural shift in how power is generated, shared, and sustained—and it is rewriting the future in real time. A woman’s circle is fundamentally different from a business meeting or a casual social gathering. It is built on three pillars: empowerment, vulnerability, and trust. In these spaces, the hierarchy is leveled. A seasoned executive might sit beside a young mother or a college student, creating a unique ecosystem where personal experiences become the data points for community action. Motion increases as time passes, continuing to shape the gatherings into something more deliberate. The transition from a “circle of friends” to a “force for change” is the heartbeat of this movement. We are seeing a surge in women-led organizations that prioritize the rights and futures of girls through two main avenues: 1. Wraparound Education Initiatives Organizations like She’s the First and the Malala Fund didn’t start in boardrooms; they started with a conviction that education is the ultimate equalizer. These groups go beyond just “sending a girl to school.” They focus on: Comprehensive Support: Providing scholarships, uniforms, and safe transportation. Advocacy: Pressing local and national governments to change laws that prevent girls from learning. Holistic Growth: Ensuring girls have the health and nutrition resources needed to stay in the classroom. 2. The Power of Role Modeling Through Mentorship Mentorship is the secret sauce of this revolution. Groups like Girl Up have mastered the art of intergenerational connection. By linking young girls with female entrepreneurs, scientists, and educators, they provide more than just advice; they