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!

Mental Health Projects, Reaching Children's Potential Tanzania

Village Families Promote New Dimensions of Mental Wellness in Tanzania

Since 2018, Global Volunteers staff and volunteers have assisted local people in the five villages of the Ukwega Ward of Tanzania in visualizing a model of optimal, community-wide mental wellness to integrate into the primary care system. Beginning…

Top 6 Island Volunteer Vacations

News and Updates Cook Islands, Cuba, Greece, Italy, Puerto Rico, St Lucia

Top Six Island Volunteer Vacations

Crystal blue bays and soft sandy beaches. Breathtaking views with a carefree "beat." Island volunteer vacations provide an opportunity to escape the cold weather while helping to change the arc of a child's life. Global Volunteers' service…

Olga Storozhenko

Staff Worldwide Poland

Meet your Poland team leader: Olga Storozhenko

Olga Storozhenko has a story to tell. She is currently Global Volunteers Poland team leader, having joined the staff in 2022. But she came to Global Volunteers in a most unusual and unfortunate manner. After Ukraine was invaded by Russia in…

Development Impact

The Lasting Impact of Year-End Giving

Year-end giving is an effective way to close the year on a positive note by making a lasting contribution to Global Volunteers' work and mission. Donations are a vital source of support to Global Volunteers. They enable us to make a more significant…

The economic crisis as a consequence of the pandemic poses a great threat to girls' safety and education.

Development Impact Nepal

Nepalese Children and Community Partners Await Volunteers’ Return

Global Volunteers’ Nepal service program launched in 2018 and suspended due to the pandemic, has resumed. Unfortunately, the needs of our community partners in Kathmandu have grown. This is a wonderful opportunity to provide meaningful volunteer…

Hot Chocolate During Christmas

Cultures and Traditions, Free Time Options Peru

Favorite Peruvian Christmas Tradition: Hot Chocolate

Daniel Salazar, former Peru Country Manager, writes about three unusual things Peruvians do during Christmas. This is #1: Hot Chocolate & During Christmas. #1. Hot Chocolate During Christmas Another Christmas tradition in…

Panettone on Christmas

Cultures and Traditions, Free Time Options Peru

Peruvians Exalt Seasonal Panettone During the Holidays

Daniel Salazar, former Peru Country Manager, offers the top three traditions in Peru on Christmas. This is #2: Panettone on Christmas. #2. Peruvians love their Panettone on Christmas: For some reason, Peruvians love to eat certain foods…

Fireworks on Christmas

Cultures and Traditions, Free Time Options Peru

Fireworks on Christmas: A Crazy Peruvian Custom

Daniel Salazar, former Peru Country Manager, writes about "three unusual things Peruvians do to celebrate Christmas." This is #3: Fireworks on Christmas. #3 Fireworks on Christmas: Everyone loves fireworks - except for dogs. You might…

The Impact of swimming lessons in St.Lucia

Development Impact St Lucia

THE IMPACT OF SWIMMING LESSONS IN ST. LUCIA!

Because they live on a small island with many communities situated on the water, you might imagine that St Lucia children would be strong swimmers. Sadly, this is not the case; the number of childhood drownings has risen considerably over recent…

Volunteers, Students, and Teachers all reap the benefits of in Greece

Development Impact Greece

Building Local Capacity in Greece

In every case, volunteers are catalysts for lasting change on genuine development projects. Because our inspired community partners have the vision and local support to direct volunteer projects, individuals, families, and groups are the “helping…

Why I Give Tanzania

Why I Give: Helping Developing Communities Become Self-Sustaining

Hairston Foundation CEO Roosevelt Hairston and his daughter, Sophia, say Global Volunteers' Reaching Children's Potential Program (RCP) in Tanzania reflects their commitment to advance self-determination for rural Tanzanian communities. As…

Staff Worldwide Cuba, Peru

Your Guide to Volunteer Travel in Peru & Cuba

Diego Acosta was born in Arequipa, in the south of Peru. At age three, his family moved to Lima, where he was raised and attended school. After serving as our English translator for four years, he became Global Volunteers' team leader in…