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!

Lunar New Year

Cultures and Traditions China, Vietnam

Half of the World Is Celebrating and You May Not Even Know about It

Jenny Quach is a volunteer coordinator at Global Volunteers. She knows a thing or two about Vietnam. She was born there. Here she shares a little bit about the Lunar New Year. While January 28, 2017 is just another day for most Americans,…

Chinese Spring Festival

Cultures and Traditions China

Getting Ready for the Chinese Spring Festival

China Country Manager Baoli Wang talks about the Chinese Spring Festival and all the preparations families have to do for this festivity. Anticipation has been littering in the air for weeks as people frantically prepare for the Chinese…

Cooking with Stones and Burying Your Food

Cultures and Traditions, Free Time Options Peru

Cooking with Stones and Burying Your Food

Last weekend I went to the Andes region in Peru, to the city of Huancayo. There I encountered many customs that you might have never heard of and you might find interesting. I will share them with you in a few blog-posts. First of all, allow…

family volunteer abroad

Family Volunteering

Family Volunteer Abroad Discounts

Opportunities to make a genuine difference worldwide await you as a family! Global Volunteers is your safest, most affordable option abroad. To encourage service together, we offer family volunteer abroad discounts. Refer to all international…

Service Trip to Poland

Conversational English, Volunteer Voices Poland

A Lesson Worth Learning Over and Over Again, Even at Age 58

Are you searching for a meaningful yet reassuring volunteer opportunity? Ease into a service trip to Poland! Global Volunteers engages individuals of every generation, ethnicity and walk of life on our Poland Service Program to help teach…

Little New Year

Cultures and Traditions China

What Is Little New Year and Why Do the Chinese Celebrate It?

China Country Manager Bao Li Wang talks about the most important holiday for the Chinese, the Spring Festival, and the Little New Year celebration on January 20. The Lunar New Year, known as the Spring Festival in China, is the most…

Volunteers Become Judges of a Kolam Competition in India

Cultures and Traditions, Volunteer Voices

Volunteers Become Judges of a Kolam Competition in India

India Volunteers Erich and Katie recently were recruited by local families to judge a kolam competition outside Global Volunteers' guest house in Chennai, India. This is their report: Today was a very special day as it started the Pongal…

Family Volunteering, Group Volunteering

Global Volunteers Offers Best Service Programs by Season

Global Volunteers is recognized for offering some of the best programs to volunteer for worldwide. This is largely because of our focus on sustainable development in all our partner communities. Many volunteering families, couples,…

Volunteer Abroad Parent Reviews with Global Volunteers

Family Volunteering

Volunteer Abroad Parent Reviews

Global Volunteers can assure you that when you volunteer as a family, your lives, in turn, will change in unimaginable ways. But don't just take our word for it... Read on for reviews and tips from parents who recently volunteered with their…

volunteering as a family in Cuba

Family Volunteering, Volunteer Voices Cuba

Volunteering as a Family in Cuba

On a previous post, Mari described how volunteering with adult children can enhance the service experience. Here she talks about the highlights of volunteering as a family in Cuba - Mari, her sons Sy and Kole, and girlfriend Mary. As only…

Pongal Weekend

Cultures and Traditions, Free Time Options

Not a “Regular” Weekend. It’s Pongal Weekend!

There's more heating up on Pongal weekend than just the weather. In India, where this holiday is celebrated, there is a lot going on. If you don't know about it already, read on to learn about Pongal, one of the coolest celebrations in…

family volunteering in Peru

Family Volunteering Peru

Super Summer Family Volunteering in Peru: The Hill Family

Summer Family Volunteering in Peru - Sydney Hill and her new friends in Alto Progreso. The teens shared an interest in soccer. The children welcomed hugs and games just as kids everywhere do. Neighbors worked together to…