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.

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Free Time Options, Volunteer Voices Portugal

Wine Tour

Joe, Carlos, Francisco (the driver), Joe, Mary, Arleen and myself went on a mystery trip organized by Carlos. We went to Albernoa today. We saw orange trees, olive trees and grape vines. The orange trees were loaded with oranges. …

Volunteer Voices Portugal

Another Great Day

Another great weather day in Beja – clear skies and perhaps 72 degrees. Joe and I had a few hours of free time in the morning. We visited the Municipal Museum which had an excellent interpretive handout in English. Well worth the one…

Volunteer Voices Portugal

Politics and Games

Paul, Diane and Bobbie greeted their morning class at the Instituto Politécnico de Beja with “T.G.I.F.” – another new slang expression to add to their growing list.A serious discussion about religion in the U.S. followed as a student…

Volunteer Voices Portugal

Strike Day

Mary and Joe's day at the Dom Manuel I secondary school was informative, interesting and frustrating. Today was Greve Geral (National General Strike), and it affected the school day. Workers around the country are protesting the economic…

Volunteer Voices Portugal

We are all beautiful

Our second morning in Beja dawned cool and crisp with a bright blue sky. This was a positive foreshadowing of the day to come. As we all awoke to the tranquility of a small Portuguese town, we all began to realize the transition we had…

Volunteer Voices Portugal

Getting Acquainted

Today was about getting acquainted, coming together as a team and focusing on specific goals. It began with our bus journey to Beja – our home away from home for the next two weeks. During our travels we witnessed the natural beauty of…

Volunteer Voices St Lucia

Another Great Day Volunteering in St. Lucia

Our four-member team arrived at the Marigot Secondary School in time for teacher’s morning briefing in the staff lounge. The school briefing opened with the Lord’s prayer and a recitation of the 23rd Psalm. How is it I can remember…

Volunteer Voices Italy

Italy Volunteer Program Update – March 13

Our second week continues with the winds and challenging and interesting experiences. The volunteers continue to amaze me with their energy and detailed attention to their lessons and the students. Today, I want to spend some time focusing…

Volunteer Voices Tanzania

“Life is Mostly Simple, Don’t Complicate it and Expect too Much.”

This morning my alarm goes off as usual at 7:00 a.m I really don’t want to get out of bed immediately, but there is some big chunky bug crawling on the floor in front of my bed.. I get up, put my shoes on and step on the critter. Snap .,…

Volunteer Voices

Team Work Makes Dream Work

We awoke to a freshly washed Beards Fork. The rain from last night cleared away and broke to a beautiful July morning. Breakfast was prepared by all and sleepy heads rubbed the dew from their eyes over hot coffee, tea, and the kind conversation…

Volunteer Voices Tanzania

Don’t Always See the Glass Half Empty

This morning I wake up to a another tasty breakfast by mama Tony At 9:30 I’m off to school to meet my Tanzanian daughter and teacher Ajuae . Its back to geography teaching . I really get the feeling the kids are understanding more of…

Volunteer Voices

Our Two Week Adventure Comes To An End

And now our two week adventure comes to an end. We have done what we set out to do—serve the students and teachers of UTEQ in Queretaro, Mexico, and we have done it with love, resourcefulness, commitment and creativity, thanks to a…