Surfers giving back in Hawaii - A qualitative study concerning Volunteer Tourism, Faith and Altruism as motivational factors for volunteering abroad

Abstract: Objective: The intention with this study has been to find the main reasons to why peo-ple choose to get engaged to volunteer work abroad, in a different context and place from where they live. We have had our basis at the humanitarian organization Surfing The Nations situated in Wahiawa, Hawaii, working with different outreaches to help poor and marginalized people. The intention has been to find out what motivational fac-tors there is to do volunteer work, the motives and outcomes. Method: A qualitative approach has been used and through narrative interviews along with participating ob-servations and documentations we have gathered our empirical material. Through read-ing our transcribed material and our documentation we found recurring themes and common denominators that we concentrated into three findings: The Experience, Living the Gospel and Servants Heart. We have developed a theory about Christian faith con-nected to social responsibility as an implement to analyze our empirical material along with our other theoretical concepts Volunteer Tourism and Altruism. Results: The re-sult showed that the main factors for being motivated to do volunteer work through the organization Surfing The Nations are connected to experiencing a new and exiting cul-ture through Hawaii, the Christian faith and the social responsibility connected to this faith and also the will to do something good and to help others through a servants heart. Conclusion: The motives for wanting to engage into voluntary work were similar to the outcomes while being at the organization, with some additions.