Safety
Better World Adventures takes the safety and security of our tour participants extremely seriously. Risk management is our first priority and a fundamental component of every tour.
Safety
Volunteer Safety
We strive to provide all of our volunteers with the safest global experience possible from the time students depart until they are all safely home.
Better World Adventures adheres to four key facets of travel risk management which include the following:
- An incident and crisis management plan for when things go wrong.
- Travel safety and security information which
are relayed to tour participants and volunteers before they embark on a trip, and at appropriate times during the trip. - Continual risk monitoring and mitigation and restrictions on
high risk destinations and activities. - Knowing where your people are. In the case of a safety, security or health incident, all tour participants and volunteers must be accessible/locatable/contactable to ensure their safety and offer support.
Risk Assessment
It is the aim of Better World Adventures to minimise risk in all possible situations. Extensive Risk Assessment Management Strategies (RAMS) are created unique to each destination, to highlight known or potential risks and the environment and societal conditions specific to the location that we will be based. These form the basis of our emergency action plans and are available on request. Each RAMS document identifies a detailed procedure for ensuring volunteer safety in risk areas that include but are not limited to:
- Accommodation and housing
- Transport
- Fire control and evacuation
- Physical
harm - Illness
- Assault and theft
- Terrorism and civil unrest
- Other serious crime
Strategies include 24-hour contacts, evacuation procedures, agreed communication plans for volunteers and their families, and processes for engaging with embassies, government officials, and insurance providers if necessary. Prior to departure, group details will be listed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and forwarded to the appropriate New Zealand Embassy, Consulate or High Commission responsible for the security of New Zealanders present in the destination country. This ensures that they know that New Zealand citizens are in the destination country, should anything happen that requires New Zealanders to be identified, contacted, or advised.
Aknowledgement of Risk
It is important to acknowledge that risk is an inherent part of our tour programs and volunteer projects. We visit remote destinations and expose students to unfamiliar surroundings, often outside their comfort zone. Students will use public transport, shop in local markets, and participate in community projects where infrastructure, sanitation and general living standards are vastly different to home. On many tours we will have hands-on experiences with wildlife. While Better World Adventures has an absolute Duty of Care toward all tour participants, it is also important that all travellers stay alert, aware of the requirements of their immediate environment, and take personal responsibility to mitigate risks to themselves whenever possible.
Preparation
Predeparture Safety Preparation
Pre-departure preparations, travel risk analysis, and safety planning is extensive and comprehensive.
DESTINATION AND PROJECT SELECTION
All Better World Adventure tours and volunteering projects have been rigorously selected and planned. Some countries chosen as locations for our volunteer projects may have histories of civil unrest, but are now at peace, relatively politically stable and genuinely endeavouring to turn their economies and the welfare of their populations around. Instances of violent crime against foreigners and volunteers are rare, although cannot be completely ruled out, just as they cannot at home.
Thankfully, one of the reassuring things that many volunteers discover very early in their foreign experience is just how safe it really is. They discover that it isn’t poverty that causes crime, but disconnection. In almost all cases, the communities in which we volunteer are deeply connected, hospitable, welcoming and safe.
MEDICAL ADVICE AND VACCINATIONS
It is very important for participants to seek trained travel medical advice on medical and health issues and immunisations, before departing on a trip. This is irrespective of your personal beliefs around the benefits of vaccinations.
We understand that some families choose not to vaccinate, however, we also feel a responsibility to stress that vaccinations are extremely important for travellers contemplating grassroots and volunteer travel, as they protect from serious diseases that are prevalent in poorer communities where sanitation and hygiene may not be as stringent as in New Zealand. The likelihood of an unvaccinated person contracting diseases such as Hepatitis-A or Typhoid is very low in a developed country such as New
In some countries, foreigners are barred from entry if they are unvaccinated against specific diseases.
All students and groups will be provided with information on required and recommended vaccines. Vaccinations can be expensive and require multiple doses, so you will want to consult with a travel clinic on what is appropriate and for an immunisation schedule. Note that in New Zealand, students under the age of 18 may have already received a variety of immunisations free of charge. These include Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Mumps and Rubella.
TRAVEL AND MEDICAL INSURANCE
It is compulsory that all tour participants have comprehensive travel and medical insurance that accounts for medical emergencies, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, lost and damaged luggage, travel disruptions, the loss of valuable items and personal liability. For this reason, the travel and medical insurance are included in the price of the trip.
On each trip, location-specific conditions are taken into consideration to ensure access to medical care for participants. In extremely remote project locations the group may travel with a satellite telephone to ensure that medical assistance can be accessed urgently, and insurance premiums cover evacuation from high altitudes if necessary. Should a group member require medical assistance, at least one of the group leaders will accompany local staff and the volunteer to the nearest clinic or medical facility to ensure that appropriate care is received. In cases where the emergency is more severe, our contracted Worldwide 24-hour Emergency Assistance will arrange emergency evacuation by road ambulance or other suitable transport (including by helicopter if available and medically necessary) to transfer to the nearest appropriate hospital even if that is in another city or country or requires returning home to New Zealand.
POLICE CHECK
All staff and volunteers undergo a police background check, or character reference check to assure that they are of sound character, and fit to volunteer with tour participants, at-risk youth and local children and orphans.
ORIENTATION
All participants will be provided with extensive pre-departure information on the relevant destination, program details, potential volunteer projects, health and safety, vaccinations, cultural issues, culture shock, packing and equipment and many other relevant topics. Such sessions may be conducted in
DESTINATION AND PROJECT SELECTION
All Better World Adventure tours and volunteering projects have been rigorously selected and planned. Some countries chosen as locations for our volunteer projects may have histories of civil unrest, but are now at peace, relatively politically stable and genuinely endeavouring to turn their economies and the welfare of their populations around. Instances of violent crime against foreigners and volunteers are rare, although cannot be completely ruled out, just as they cannot at home.
Thankfully, one of the reassuring things that many volunteers discover very early in their foreign experience is just how safe it really is. They discover that it isn’t poverty that causes crime, but disconnection. In almost all cases, the communities in which we volunteer are deeply connected, hospitable, welcoming and safe.
MEDICAL ADVICE AND VACCINATIONS
It is very important for participants to seek trained travel medical advice on medical and health issues and immunisations, before departing on a trip. This is irrespective of your personal beliefs around the benefits of vaccinations.
We understand that some families choose not to vaccinate, however, we also feel a responsibility to stress that vaccinations are extremely important for travellers contemplating grassroots and volunteer travel, as they protect from serious diseases that are prevalent in poorer communities where sanitation and hygiene may not be as stringent as in New Zealand. The likelihood of an unvaccinated person contracting diseases such as Hepatitis-A or Typhoid is very low in a developed country such as New
In some countries, foreigners are barred from entry if they are unvaccinated against specific diseases.
All students and groups will be provided with information on required and recommended vaccines. Vaccinations can be expensive and require multiple doses, so you will want to consult with a travel clinic on what is appropriate and for an immunisation schedule. Note that in New Zealand, students under the age of 18 may have already received a variety of immunisations free of charge. These include Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Mumps and Rubella.
TRAVEL AND MEDICAL INSURANCE
It is compulsory that all tour participants have comprehensive travel and medical insurance that accounts for medical emergencies, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, lost and damaged luggage, travel disruptions, the loss of valuable items and personal liability. For this reason, the travel and medical insurance are included in the price of the trip.
On each trip, location-specific conditions are taken into consideration to ensure access to medical care for participants. In extremely remote project locations the group may travel with a satellite telephone to ensure that medical assistance can be accessed urgently, and insurance premiums cover evacuation from high altitudes if necessary. Should a group member require medical assistance, at least one of the group leaders will accompany local staff and the volunteer to the nearest clinic or medical facility to ensure that appropriate care is received. In cases where the emergency is more severe, our contracted Worldwide 24-hour Emergency Assistance will arrange emergency evacuation by road ambulance or other suitable transport (including by helicopter if available and medically necessary) to transfer to the nearest appropriate hospital even if that is in another city or country or requires returning home to New Zealand.
POLICE CHECK
All staff and volunteers undergo a police background check, or character reference check to assure that they are of sound character, and fit to volunteer with tour participants, at-risk youth and local children and orphans.
ORIENTATION
All participants will be provided with extensive pre-departure information on the relevant destination, program details, potential volunteer projects, health and safety, vaccinations, cultural issues, culture shock, packing and equipment and many other relevant topics. Such sessions may be conducted in
Safety
On-Tour Safety and Security
TOUR LEADERS
All student and high-school group volunteer tours are fully escorted, with a Better World Adventures leader, accompanied by a teacher. Students will never be put on a plane and left to their own devices until met by a representative on arrival in a foreign country. While we want students to have as many new learning experiences as possible, making them find their own way around the world is not one of them. BWA tour leaders are experienced teachers, tour managers and volunteer project specialists with extensive experience in student group facilitation and critical incident management. Leaders are required to be trained in first-aid, and to have basic first aid equipment on-hand should it be needed. They are responsible for the risk assessment before and during each tour.
IN-COUNTRY STAFF
Better World Adventures do not have their own staff located throughout the world. As well as our own staff and tour leaders accompanying our groups, Better World Adventures also utilise the local capabilities of in-country partner organisations. Our partners are carefully selected and include highly experienced and capable local volunteer agencies, NGO’s and aid organisations that are very experienced with facilitating the volunteering and safety of groups such as ours. They are English speaking local experts in their respective fields, whether that be as a volunteer organisation, tour operator, or activity guide. Each company has been appointed on the basis of their professional reputation and a long history of safety and quality.
Other tour providers often promote the “benefit” of having their own staff and offices in host countries, however, in reality, this is unnecessary and adds very expensive administrative costs to the travel cost paid by the student. By partnering our travelling staff with highly experienced local experts all of our safety protocols are met, yet operational overheads are significantly reduced and the cost savings are able to be passed directly on to our student participants.
24/7 SUPPORT
Student participants are monitored and supervised around the clock. While on tour, leaders are available to group participants 24/7. It is the leaders’ job to make sure all group members feel safe and secure. If you have any concerns about other volunteers or staff, the project, or anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to bring it up with the tour leaders. While on the volunteer project, when the group leaders are not physically with students (for instance while on multiple volunteering projects during the day), the students will be under the supervision of designated project leaders.
Students will often have free time in the afternoons when volunteer projects have been completed for the day. During these times they are encouraged to independently explore their local
PARTICIPANT CODE OF CONDUCT
On all Better World Adventures trips, the personal growth, success and enjoyment of every group member
- No leaving the group without express permission
- No going anywhere alone, at any time
- No travelling without a cell phone (where possible)
- No consumption of alcohol (this includes at event parties such as birthdays and New Year’s Eve)
- No drugs whatsoever (with the exception of personally prescribed medication)
- No driving of any motorized vehicle including a car, scooter, motorbike, tuk-tuk, autorickshaw, jetski, tractor, etc.
- No stealing
- No gaining of tattoos or piercings
- No behaviour that is disruptive, threatening, discriminatory, bullying or abusive toward others
- No sexual activity, dating, or public displays of affection. On-tour evening curfews, when students must be within the designated accommodation, unless on a scheduled evening activity or dinner with the group.
As is the case in all school group excursions, strict adherence to tour rules is expected throughout the trip. Breaches of group rules can easily result in harm, injury and misadventure and we reserve the right to terminate the tour for any student who knowingly disregards rules stipulated within the Tour Terms and Conditions.
This does not mean that we will be holding a participant’s hands at all times. There will be constant opportunities for fun, cultural interactions, adventure and new experiences, but in a controlled environment. Students will still have adequate free time but this will be unobtrusively and effectively managed. The itinerary specifically includes all meals and numerous activities and excursions to ensure that we collectively experience as much as possible without the need for the students to venture off by themselves. Whether we are visiting a temple or a market or working on a volunteer project, the students will be in pairs or in groups and always under some form of supervision or group management. Students will not be permitted to separate themselves from the group without express permission, and will always be in pairs or groups, no matter the activity. Every evening on tour all participating students will be required to observe an evening curfew unless on a sanctioned group activity.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation on tour has been selected based on quality, location, reputation and value for money. While volunteering tour participants stay together in accommodation that is either exclusive to our group, or shared with other international volunteers. Where one source of accommodation is not able to be provided for the entire group, vetted homestay accommodation may be substituted in consultation with our local volunteer coordinator. Tour accommodation will always comprise of single-sex shared rooms, whether in hotels, dormitories, cabins, or tents. On arrival volunteers will be briefed on accommodation-specific fire prevention measures, local security concerns, and evacuation plans in case of emergencies.
IN-COUNTRY PERSONAL SAFETY BRIEFING
As soon as possible after arrival in-country, participants will be provided with safety information explaining culture and customs specific to travelling, living and volunteering in the local location. The training has a particular focus on risk mitigation related to activities that participants commonly undertake such as catching public transport, consuming local food or beverages, ensuring cultural sensitivity, appropriate clothing, personal safety, local crime and scams, and rules and expectations for the projects we will be working on.
Volunteers will be made aware of the steps that they need to take to avoid risk, and what to do in the event of an emergency or serious incident. The provision of updated safety advice will be ongoing during the tour. Our Risk Assessments and Emergency Action Plans are living documents. In order to ensure ongoing safety improvements, tour participants will complete dynamic risk reporting of new risks and “near misses” while on tour and our risk assessments updated in response to any incident. At each destination on tour, all participants will be given fire and emergency evacuation instructions.
GETTING SICK
It is an unfortunate reality that most volunteers will get sick at some point on the trip. Immune systems are more vulnerable and stressed while travelling in developing countries away from the food, water and sanitation that we are used to. We are exposed to a lot of different germs and very new environments, bugs, insects, climates, etc.
Although getting sick can be a disappointment or annoyance while volunteering abroad, it does not necessarily mean you are unhealthy or unwell. In general, the best way to handle getting sick is to be prepared. If you normally take medication, make sure you bring enough with you for the duration of the trip. If you have particular medical issues or strict dietary requirements, make sure that Better World Adventures has been notified of these well in advance of the trip, so that our in-country hosts can advise you, or prepare for your arrival. You may even be put in touch with them directly.
TOUR LEADERS
All student and high-school group volunteer tours are fully escorted, with a Better World Adventures leader, accompanied by a teacher. Students will never be put on a plane and left to their own devices until met by a representative on arrival in a foreign country. While we want students to have as many new learning experiences as possible, making them find their own way around the world is not one of them. BWA tour leaders are experienced teachers, tour managers and volunteer project specialists with extensive experience in student group facilitation and critical incident management. Leaders are required to be trained in first-aid, and to have basic first aid equipment on-hand should it be needed. They are responsible for the risk assessment before and during each tour.
IN-COUNTRY STAFF
Better World Adventures do not have their own staff located throughout the world. As well as our own staff and tour leaders accompanying our groups, Better World Adventures also utilise the local capabilities of in-country partner organisations. Our partners are carefully selected and include highly experienced and capable local volunteer agencies, NGO’s and aid organisations that are very experienced with facilitating the volunteering and safety of groups such as ours. They are English speaking local experts in their respective fields, whether that be as a volunteer organisation, tour operator, or activity guide. Each company has been appointed on the basis of their professional reputation and a long history of safety and quality.
Other tour providers often promote the “benefit” of having their own staff and offices in host countries, however, in reality, this is unnecessary and adds very expensive administrative costs to the travel cost paid by the student. By partnering our travelling staff with highly experienced local experts all of our safety protocols are met, yet operational overheads are significantly reduced and the cost savings are able to be passed directly on to our student participants.
24/7 SUPPORT
Student participants are monitored and supervised around the clock. While on tour, leaders are available to group participants 24/7. It is the leaders’ job to make sure all group members feel safe and secure. If you have any concerns about other volunteers or staff, the project, or anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to bring it up with the tour leaders. While on the volunteer project, when the group leaders are not physically with students (for instance while on multiple volunteering projects during the day), the students will be under the supervision of designated project leaders.
Students will often have free time in the afternoons when volunteer projects have been completed for the day. During these times they are encouraged to independently explore their local
PARTICIPANT CODE OF CONDUCT
On all Better World Adventures trips, the personal growth, success and enjoyment of every group member
- No leaving the group without express permission
- No going anywhere alone, at any time
- No travelling without a cell phone (where possible)
- No consumption of alcohol (this includes at event parties such as birthdays and New Year’s Eve)
- No drugs whatsoever (with the exception of personally prescribed medication)
- No driving of any motorized vehicle including a car, scooter, motorbike, tuk-tuk, autorickshaw, jetski, tractor, etc.
- No stealing
- No gaining of tattoos or piercings
- No behaviour that is disruptive, threatening, discriminatory, bullying or abusive toward others
- No sexual activity, dating, or public displays of affection. On-tour evening curfews, when students must be within the designated accommodation, unless on a scheduled evening activity or dinner with the group.
As is the case in all school group excursions, strict adherence to tour rules is expected throughout the trip. Breaches of group rules can easily result in harm, injury and misadventure and we reserve the right to terminate the tour for any student who knowingly disregards rules stipulated within the Tour Terms and Conditions.
This does not mean that we will be holding a participant’s hands at all times. There will be constant opportunities for fun, cultural interactions, adventure and new experiences, but in a controlled environment. Students will still have adequate free time but this will be unobtrusively and effectively managed. The itinerary specifically includes all meals and numerous activities and excursions to ensure that we collectively experience as much as possible without the need for the students to venture off by themselves. Whether we are visiting a temple or a market or working on a volunteer project, the students will be in pairs or in groups and always under some form of supervision or group management. Students will not be permitted to separate themselves from the group without express permission, and will always be in pairs or groups, no matter the activity. Every evening on tour all participating students will be required to observe an evening curfew unless on a sanctioned group activity.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation on tour has been selected based on quality, location, reputation and value for money. While volunteering tour participants stay together in accommodation that is either exclusive to our group, or shared with other international volunteers. Where one source of accommodation is not able to be provided for the entire group, vetted homestay accommodation may be substituted in consultation with our local volunteer coordinator. Tour accommodation will always comprise of single-sex shared rooms, whether in hotels, dormitories, cabins, or tents. On arrival volunteers will be briefed on accommodation-specific fire prevention measures, local security concerns, and evacuation plans in case of emergencies.
IN-COUNTRY PERSONAL SAFETY BRIEFING
As soon as possible after arrival in-country, participants will be provided with safety information explaining culture and customs specific to travelling, living and volunteering in the local location. The training has a particular focus on risk mitigation related to activities that participants commonly undertake such as catching public transport, consuming local food or beverages, ensuring cultural sensitivity, appropriate clothing, personal safety, local crime and scams, and rules and expectations for the projects we will be working on.
Volunteers will be made aware of the steps that they need to take to avoid risk, and what to do in the event of an emergency or serious incident. The provision of updated safety advice will be ongoing during the tour. Our Risk Assessments and Emergency Action Plans are living documents. In order to ensure ongoing safety improvements, tour participants will complete dynamic risk reporting of new risks and “near misses” while on tour and our risk assessments updated in response to any incident. At each destination on tour, all participants will be given fire and emergency evacuation instructions.
GETTING SICK
It is an unfortunate reality that most volunteers will get sick at some point on the trip. Immune systems are more vulnerable and stressed while travelling in developing countries away from the food, water and sanitation that we are used to. We are exposed to a lot of different germs and very new environments, bugs, insects, climates, etc.
Although getting sick can be a disappointment or annoyance while volunteering abroad, it does not necessarily mean you are unhealthy or unwell. In general, the best way to handle getting sick is to be prepared. If you normally take medication, make sure you bring enough with you for the duration of the trip. If you have particular medical issues or strict dietary requirements, make sure that Better World Adventures has been notified of these well in advance of the trip, so that our in-country hosts can advise you, or prepare for your arrival. You may even be put in touch with them directly.
Request more information!
Call Us
+64 21 2336367
