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!

Where are the Cook Islands?

Volunteer Voices Cook Islands

“Where Are the Cook Islands??”

This is a common question Global Volunteer Alumni hear when they return from a volunteer program in the Cook Islands. "Where even is Rarotonga? Where are the Cook Islands? Wasn't Survivor filmed there? How do you get there?" To most alumni,…

Volunteer Voices Poland

Poland is First about the People

Long-time Poland alumni report that learning about the Polish people - Polish customs, dance, music, as well as their hopes and dreams is the highlight of volunteering in Poland. This testimonial from Lori, a 30-time (!) Poland Global…

Volunteers on Caribbean Island St. Lucia

Volunteer Voices St Lucia

St. Lucia: My Caribbean Island Getaway

St. Lucia Global Volunteer Ellen F. settled into her Caribbean Island "home" quickly, thanks to the warm welcome of our host partners and local families in Anse la Raye, St. Lucia. She said the Caribbean community began to feel like home after…

Erin teaching children in St. Lucia

Volunteer Voices St Lucia

A Day to Teach Children in St. Lucia

St. Lucia Volunteer Erin C. discovers teaching children in a St. Lucia classroom requires patience - and a measure of "blind faith." Short-term volunteers teach children ages 10 to 17 at the Anse la Raye Primary School. We woke…

teaching English in Greece

Classroom Assistance Greece

Volunteer Discovers Her “Inner Teacher” Inside Greek Classroom

Volunteers often discover that, despite their professional background, they can be significant resources in a classroom. Such is the case with business owner and volunteer, Jennifer, who says she was surprised how comfortable she became working…

work with teens and youth

Reaching Children's Potential, Volunteer Voices

Veteran Global Volunteer Circles the Globe to Work With Teens

Global Volunteers salutes Ken Dubuque, a Global Volunteer who works with teens and has shared peace and love every year since 2013 in Montana, the Cook Islands, Poland, and Italy. Ken said he still finds much to talk about, teach…

The Impact of Short-term Volunteering

Projects for Professionals, Reaching Children's Potential

Making a Lasting Impact Abroad as a Short-Term Volunteer

By Ruth Curran, Brain Development Specialist and Global Volunteer Director of Partnerships. You can find plenty of articles questioning the value of short-term volunteers on long-term community projects. But I wonder how many of these authors…

teaching students in India

Conversational English, Volunteer Voices

Chameleon on iPad Clever for Teaching Students in India

India Global Volunteer Fran employs her creativity and bright personality to motivate primary school students at Christ-King School in Chennai. Using an iPad and a story about a chameleon, she creates a lesson about colors, reason, and…

volunteer in Chennai, India

Volunteer Voices

Joy as a Volunteer in India

Team Journal by Fran for Wednesday, August 3rd, 2016. Wow! Today as a volunteer in Chennai India was filled with joy. Although it began as a typical morning as a Global Volunteer in Chennai, the sun was out, the dogs barked early in…

Volunteer Voices

My 3rd Time to Christ King School

Journal entry by Fran for August 1, 2016. The weekend is over and it is Monday, my first day at Christ King School. Actually, it is my first day at the school this year. I volunteered at Christ King in 2013 and 2014, but it is like any…

Volunteer Voices

Experienced both Joy and Sadness

Team Journal by Fran for Friday, 29th July 2016. Today is my last day of volunteering at Assisi Illam. I had not anticipated the depth of feelings I have developed for the children and kind women there. I experienced both joy and sadness,…

Exploring Indian Markets

Free Time Options, Volunteer Voices

Exploring Indian Markets

Team Journal by Fran for Thursday, 28th July 2016: Exploring Indian Markets. My day in Chennai began earlier than usual. I left the guest house around 6:30 this morning to go to the market. It is important to arrive early at Indian markets…