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!

Tanzania

Reaching Children's Potential, Volunteer Voices Tanzania

Creative Team Journal Recounts Serious Service Projects

It's customary for each volunteer team of Global Volunteers to prepare a team journal for the service program. Each entry assumes the personality of the author, and many are greatly entertaining. One team member, Beverly Hall Burns, called…

Sunset in the cook island top things to do free time

News and Updates Cook Islands

Celebrating 1,500 Volunteers in the Cook Islands This February!

More than 1,400 volunteers have positively impacted the lives of children, families, and community leaders on the island since 1998! We're anticipating the 1,500th volunteer to serve in the idyllic South Pacific island of Rarotonga in the Cook…

Reflections in Tanzania

Development Impact, Volunteer Voices Tanzania

Volunteer Impact in Ipalamwa

Reflections in Tanzania from Global Volunteers Team #1 to Ipalamwa by Ruth Curran, Team #1 volunteer, Global Volunteers board member, and Reaching Children's Potential (RCP) advisory committee member I know that journal entries are about…

student volunteer program with Global Volunteers

Service-Learning, Volunteer Voices Montana

Student Service-Learning Was Essential in Forming my Career Choice, says Volunteer

Jed Pettit, a Montana volunteer and recent University of Alberta graduate, sent us this letter to students who are considering joining a Global Volunteers student volunteer program. Read on to learn what motivated him to offer this advice…

volunteer in community service with toddler

Development Impact, Reaching Children's Potential

Volunteers’ Role in Community Service

Assisting communities to help children thrive is the volunteers' primary role on Global Volunteers teams. Everyone, regardless of age, has skills and talents to help children and families reach their full potential. Learn more about a volunteer's…

Rewards of volunteering in Mexico

Conversational English

The Rewards of Volunteering in Mexico

In Querétaro, right in the heart of Mexico, Global Volunteers have been teaching and tutoring conversational English at the Universidad Tecnológica de Querétaro (UTEQ) or Technological University of Querétaro for almost 20 years. Here, students…

News and Updates

The Value of Teamwork on Volunteer Abroad Programs

Teamwork - Why it's Essential on Global Volunteers' Service Programs You'll quickly discover how serving on a Global Volunteers team can be one of the most significant experiences of your life. A hallmark of teamwork on volunteer abroad…

Diwali festival in India - children with firecrackers

Cultures and Traditions

Diwali Festival of Lights

The Indian Festival of Lights Today marks the Indian festival of lights, called Diwali or Deepavali, which is celebrated throughout the country. The Diwali festival spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge…

Conversational English Poland

Veteran Volunteer Says Poland Draws Her Back Year After Year

"A Dream Volunteer Vacation." Retired College Professor Lori Wedeking has served yearly in Poland since 2002 - on a total of 34 programs teaching conversational English. She says she's drawn by the children, of course, but lists "so many other…

People of Poland Global Volunteers

Volunteer Voices Poland

“Hey, Lori, can I use your phone to check the weather?”

By Lori Wedeking, Repeat Poland Volunteer. “Hey, Lori, can I use your phone to check the weather?” This request came from a boy who had been my student two years ago at a language camp in Poland. He made this request while the language…

Volunteer on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation with Global Volunteers

Volunteer Voices Montana

Journal Entry Give Glimpse of Life from a Volunteer on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation

Journal from Jed, a volunteer on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation: There is a fire that burns on the Blackfeet Reservation. It has been burning for over a century. You can feel its heat, you can smell its smoke, and yes, like most North Americans,…

Tanzania Volunteer with Global Volunteers

Reaching Children's Potential, Volunteer Voices Tanzania

A Volunteer’s Powerful Reflections from the Inaugural Ipalamwa, Tanzania Team

Reflections on Ipalamwa, the village that is at the top of the mountain and the end of the road... From a Team #1 Tanzania Volunteer, Robi Kronberg: Images, experiences and memories of Ipalamwa will forever be a part of me. As a member…