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!

Thalassa of Solidarity- Refugee project & Community partner, Greece

Partners' Stories Greece

New Refugee Program Engages Global Volunteers in Crete

In early 2016, Global Volunteers Crete teams were called upon by local authorities to help meet the needs of the sudden large influx of Syrian refugees to Greece. Volunteers worked packaging and sorting donated clothing and preparing boxes…

Reaching Children's Potential Tanzania

International Community Development Profile: Tobadina Kahemela Family

In this series, families in the Reaching Children’s Potential (RCP) Demonstration Program in Tanzania explain how their participation improves their lives. Global Volunteers’ RCP Program engages short-term volunteers to help parents deliver…

News and Updates Poland

“Peace is a Luxury;” Volunteer’s Lessons From Ukrainian Refugees in Poland

First-time Global Volunteer Pam Ballard said she couldn't have correctly anticipated the impact of working one-on-one with Ukrainian refugee families in Poland. And now, she's not certain she can adequately describe the impact the experience…

Cultures and Traditions, Development Impact Montana

FAST Blackfeet Mobilizes Global Volunteers on 2022 Return to Reservation

Each summer, since 2000 (except for 2020), Global Volunteers has worked in partnerships with the Blackfeet people on community priorities - focusing on labor, elder services and family health and recreation projects. The first volunteer team…

Staff Worldwide

Meet Your Team Leader: Lucy Heegaard

Volunteer Team Leader Lucy Heegaard (left) began volunteering with Global Volunteers in 2015 in St. Lucia. She then served in Poland in 2017 and went through Team Leader Training later that same year. She has also updated her training twice…

Volunteer Voices Poland

Poland Volunteer Returns to Different “Story” Amidst Refugee Surge

Denver public health retiree Joanie Jones said joining the people of Siedlce, Poland to care for Ukrainian mothers and children evacuated from their devastated homeland was both life-affirming and heart-breaking. As a six-time Global Volunteer…

Why I Give Poland

Why I Give: Ukrainians Need Our Help

In many ways, Michael Woodley is a typical teen. He loves playing guitar, listening to music and hanging out with friends. But, he took an unusual step in April when Russia invaded Ukraine. Having just received a gift of $1,000 from his…

Reaching Children's Potential Tanzania

Reaching Children’s Potential in Tanzania: Welcoming New Moms to the Program in May

Every month, Global Volunteers’ caregivers in the Ukwega Ward of Tanzania meet with families who wish to participate in the Reaching Children’s Potential (RCP) Demonstration Program. The goal of RCP is to eliminate childhood stunting…

Reaching Children's Potential Tanzania

Welcoming the April & May RCP Newborns in Tanzania

What’s more fun than BABIES? In this series, we focus on the newest members of the Reaching Children’s Potential (RCP) Demonstration Program in Tanzania -- newborns. In this post, we welcome three babies born in April and May 2022! Their…

working with Ukrainian mothers and children

Volunteer Voices Poland

Poland Volunteer Describes Working with Ukrainian Women and Children

In this first-person volunteer story, alumna Penny Louise Flavin describes her experience working with Ukrainian women and children in Poland in April. Penny Louise first served with Global Volunteers in Peru in 2019. Following the pandemic,…

Partners' Stories Texas

Rio Grande Valley community partner says, “We’re trying to build a better world.”

Global Volunteers works in developing communities inside the U.S. as well as around the world. Volunteers are drawn to opportunities to help upgrade the daily lives of average people living in under-resourced communities. Texas Community Partner…

International community development

Reaching Children's Potential Tanzania

International Community Development Profile: Robina Mbata Family

In this series, families in the Reaching Children’s Potential (RCP) Demonstration Program in Tanzania explain how their participation improves their lives. Global Volunteers’ RCP Program engages short-term volunteers to help parents deliver…