Current News, Field Reports and Volunteer Voices

Several times each week, we post stories about work we do in our host communities – through the voices of our partners, volunteers, and those we serve. Subscribe using the form below to receive updates in your inbox when they’re published. If you’re looking for deeper insight into service in a specific country, on a particular type of project, how you can share your unique skills or volunteering as a family or a group, you can find a wealth of information here. Use the categories next to the posts here or on any page (below right column) to explore more stories that suit your interests.

We welcome your ideas on topics you’d like to see here. Please contact us at marketing@globalvolunteers.org. Enjoy our blog!

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Development Impact

Global Messages Offered for International Day of Peace 2023

The United Nations designates September 21 every year as the "International Day of Peace" to focus the world's attention on unity and reconciliation by observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire. United Nations Secretary-General António…

Why I Give Peru

Why I Give: Because the Need is Obvious

Peru Alumni Volunteer Kurt Jaeger admits his relationship with kids in Peru is exceptional. On the campus of Global Volunteers' partner, Sagrada Familia, he's revered as an engaging volunteer teacher, a compassionate elder, and more - a talented…

Volunteer Voices Greece

Volunteering is Couple’s First Step Toward Retirement

Lee Park and Eric Tiffany have always wanted to give back through service and, for years, have been interested in the possibility of doing a long-term volunteer program abroad. With that in mind, they chose a two-week service program in Crete…

Partners' Stories Peru

Resourcefulness is Invaluable Skill for Peruvian Partner

Willy Vera knows how to make things work. At 67, he’s been creating and building with metal since he was 14. As a local volunteer at Sagrada Familia, Global Volunteers’ community partner in Peru, Willy has become not only the thrifty…

Classroom Assistance, Conversational English Nepal

Nepal Community Partners Celebrate Volunteers’ Return in 2023

In Kathmandu and Bhaktapur, Nepal, Global Volunteers' community partners urgently anticipated the first volunteer teams since the pandemic lockdown of 2020. After a protracted absence owing to international travel restrictions and volunteers'…

Reaching Children's Potential, Volunteer Voices Tanzania

Psychiatrist Promotes “Professional Discovery” on Tanzania RCP Program

Dr. Hannah Nguyen returned from Tanzania driven to inspire colleagues to contribute their skills to rural villagers through Global Volunteers' Reaching Children's Potential (RCP) Program. Some of the following is excerpted from her story in…

Volunteer Voices Greece

Lifelong Friends Cultivate their Roots in Greek Classrooms

Global Volunteers alumni and octogenarians, Wilma Bennett (above, left) and Popi Anastassatos (above, right), have been best friends since the late 60s. When in 2022 Wilma invited Popi to explore her Greek heritage on a service program, Popi…

Kalliopi Chaniotaki

Staff Worldwide Greece

Meet your Greece Team Leader: Kalliopi Chaniotaki

Kalliopi Chaniotaki joined Global Volunteers as our Greece team leader in 2022. In this role, she manages the logistics and project assignments of the service program while creating a safe space for volunteers to share a meaningful and productive…

Cultures and Traditions Cook Islands, Cuba, Greece, Italy, Puerto Rico, St Lucia

“Escape” to an Island to do good in 2024

Some of the world's most beautiful islands are also the greatest volunteering locations. If you choose service as a way to refocus your mind onto something larger than yourself, you can take a break in one of our partner communities and make…

Staff Worldwide, Volunteer Voices Italy, St Lucia

Volunteer/Team Leader-Turned-Employee Looks Back on 20 Years of Worldwide Service

Upon completing her 50th service program, Volunteer Coordinator Phyllis Thompson paused to consider what first motivated her in 2003 to join a Global Volunteers team, and what inspires her to enable others to serve. We asked her to share with…

Reaching Children's Potential Tanzania

Mental Health Needs Assessment Points Way for Village Families in Tanzania

Pregnant and post-partum women along with fathers who are vulnerable to mental stress because of family conflict, physical illness or disability, food or economic insecurity, and many other threats are at the center of Global Volunteers' Reaching…

Service-Learning Greece

Common Philosophy Draws College Students to Global Volunteers in Greece

An interprofessional group of nursing and occupational therapy (OT) students led by Dr. Samantha Sasson from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY, shared their skills and compassion with local youth and adults in Heraklion, Crete. Dr.…