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!

Cultures and Traditions, Development Impact Peru

A Primer on Education in Peru

by Peru Country Manager Daniel Salazar When we think of the benefits of education, we can probably quickly mention the development of intellectual abilities, freedom of thought, and the increase in productivity. So education is valuable…

Conversational English, Volunteer Voices Poland

Team Tries Fun Activities for Teaching Conversational English to Polish Students

Jim, a recent Poland Global Volunteer, describes his personal technique for teaching conversational English to Polish students. This morning was a mixture of excitement and some anxiety. Exciting because I would meet my class…

Volunteer Voices Poland

Waging Peace in a Conflicted World

On the International Day of Peace, 2016, Peru Country Manager Daniel Salazar interviewed retired pharmacist and 7-time volunteer Gary Gullikson in service in Poland. Gary said while he regularly prays for peace, he yearns to turn his prayer…

volunteer impact

Conversational English, Development Impact, Volunteer Voices

My Impact Volunteering in Chennai, India

Reflections by Emily, an India Global Volunteer, on the cumulative positive volunteer impact on students in Chennai. Before I made the decision to come to Chennai, India, I debated with myself over what my true volunteer impact would be…

Conversational English China

A Love Affair With China

Journal entry by Barbara, a volunteer serving in China. I am always proud to say I have been to Xi’an three times, returning after my first trip in 2007 when I chaperoned a high school trip. Upon retiring from my teaching career,…

change a child's life through volunteer service

Development Impact Peru

Help Change a Child’s Life, and Your Life Changes Too.

by Daniel Salazar, Global Volunteers Peru Country Manager. When you volunteer in Peru, you have the chance to significantly change a child's life. It's one thing to sight-see in Lima. But there is an opportunity to do more, to get to…

responsible volunteering

Development Impact, Volunteer Voices

Volunteer Reflects on Responsible Volunteering

Global Volunteers' Philosophy of Service guides team members on the principles of responsible volunteering. This alumni volunteer shares a practical example of how this works on site in Chennai, India and elsewhere around the world. By Fran,…

Volunteer Voices Poland

Either They’re Getting Taller, or I’m Getting Shorter!

Some 35 percent of our 32, 000 alumni volunteers have served on previous programs. Lori is a particularly loyal Poland volunteer, and over her 30-plus service programs, she's formed relationships with several of the same students year…

Development Impact, News and Updates

Oprah Takes Notice of Global Volunteers

History of Global Volunteers on The Oprah Show Oprah reported: "When Bud Philbrook and Michele Gran opted out of a honeymoon cruise to take a more meaningful trip, they stumbled onto a rewarding way to enrich their own lives and help thousands…

Commercial flights to Havana now available!

News and Updates Cuba

Volunteering in Havana Just Got a Whole Lot Cheaper

Commercial Flights To Havana from U.S. Are Now Available! Volunteering in Cuba just got even better! U.S. airlines now offer daily commercial flights to Havana from U.S. cities -- such as New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Houston, and more.…

Exquisite Cuba Photos

Volunteer Voices Cuba

45 Exquisite Cuba Photos (Warning: You’ll Fall in Love!)

Our Cuba volunteer program centers around the Cuban people – their hopes, dreams and goals. We’ve worked with our community partners since 2007. This is a landmark opportunity to volunteer in Cuba and live among the Cuban people! "It was…

Teach children in Poland

Conversational English, Volunteer Voices Poland

Teaching Children in Poland is a Lesson for Volunteers

First-time Global Volunteer Ken Higgins was excited to teach children in Poland after his wife served on a Ghana Global Volunteers program in 2012. "I wanted to be able to help others in some fashion and experience a different culture. Based…