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!

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…

Volunteer Voices Poland

Reflections on Teaching Program in Poland

A journal by Norina, a Poland Global Volunteer. I've served on the Global Volunteers summer camp teaching program in Poland several times. I'll continue to volunteer at Reymontowka, in a lovely pastoral setting in Siedlce, east…

Thanksgiving Volunteer Abroad Opportunities

News and Updates

Thanksgiving Volunteer Abroad Opportunities

A simple way to give thanks for how fortunate we are is by recognizing the needs of others and responding to those needs. In collaboration with our community partners, we have designed service programs that will make this Thanksgiving one…

Holiday Volunteer Abroad Programs

News and Updates

Top Holiday Volunteer Abroad Programs

Give the gift that keeps on giving! No shiny paper or fancy bow is required! Escape the commercialism and hustle and bustle of the holiday season this year. Take time to reflect and do something meaningful instead. Join us in promoting…

Development Impact

Butterfly Garden Project in Costa Rica

A unique butterfly garden highlights our work in Costa Rica! You're needed to help plant native species that attract butterflies, build walkways, lay gravel, and landscape the garden. Costa Rica's Astounding Biodiversity While Costa Rica…

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…