Of the many similarities between the U.S. and Cuba, one of the more serious social problems we share is the historical racial divide between black and white citizens. The Creole, African, and Spanish descendants who have, over six centuries, built a rich and soulful Cuban culture, don’t share the same economic and educational opportunities on the island equally. […]
Two University English Instructors in Querétaro, Mexico made a point to express their gratitude to our recent volunteer team. In case you think you can’t make a difference by teaching English in Mexico as a volunteer, please read on, and then talk to a volunteer coordinator: “Our countries and people must be closer.” I would really […]
In 1984, Global Volunteers began serving local people in the developing world, and by the early 1990s, we also responded to requests from urban community leaders. In addition to caring for at-risk children and helping with labor projects, our service programs expanded to help teach conversational English and the basics of free enterprise in populous urban centers. To this […]
First Lady Michelle Obama’s mission is to help educate girls around the world, and is the expressed theme of CNN’s new original film: “We Will Rise.” This documentary is a follow up to CNN Films’ 2013 “Girl Rising” which presented girls’ stories from around the world and explained how the power of education can change the world. Education […]
Ethical volunteer vacations combine purposeful service with cultural travel – to the ultimate benefit of local children and families. Global Volunteers meets 10 of 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in structuring programs respecting and assisting local people who invite our volunteers into their communities. Our philosophy of service requires serving where we’ve been invited, working […]
By Sandy, 6-time Global Volunteer. Only two more days in Cuba for me! As usual, after a nice buffet breakfast at the hotel, everyone went off to their morning project. Daniel and Bethany went to the center to prepare the ground for planting, both Johns went to the center to tutor English, and I was […]
by Barbara Gironda Marcel Proust said, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but seeing with new eyes.” I thought of these words often as I looked at the beautiful Montana Mountains. It has been 27 years since I ventured to Glacier National Park as a recent college graduate, eager to start […]
Journal entry by Rechelle, Cuba Global Volunteer, who served with her teenage daughter Kayla: Day three in Cuba, it’s Monday – our first day of service, and what an experience! My daughter Kayla and I spent the morning painting a door at Eduardo’s church. The warmth and welcoming we received from the keepers of the […]
Over 30 years, team members have come to know the sights, sounds and energy of Iringa – the small economic center and transportation hub which has been Global Volunteers’ overnight stop on the way to our partner communities. But, visits have been limited to a comforting meal at the end of the day’s travel, a cozy bedroom and a quick shopping trip at the […]
As President Obama declares “Change is going to happen in Cuba, ” Global Volunteers President and CEO offers advice to Americans in a widely released editorial: Cuba is a wonderful country of many contradictions. It boasts one of the world’s highest literacy rates, yet food is rationed throughout the island. Its highly educated teachers and […]