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!

Volunteer Voices Greece

A week of Teaching and Learning For All of us!

Today was the end of a full week—a week of teaching and learning for all of us. The word “bittersweet” came up a few times this morning at breakfast for Meghan and me on our last day of teaching. Last walk by the blue morning…

first days as volunteers

Service-Learning Cuba

First Days in Cuba Set Expectations for Student Volunteer

Most volunteers abroad discover that the first days in the partner community is a time to settle in learn the day-to-day routine of service work. Some insights by a recent Cuba volunteer: By Becca, University of Central Missouri student and…

Volunteer Voices Cuba

Team Reflections on Cuba Volunteer Projects

By Michele & Chris, Cuba Volunteers. We continue to be blessed with new Cuban friends at our volunteer project sites and enjoy deeper conversations with our teammates. It's an abundance of talk, experience, laughter, sweat and…

Cuba volunteer with vintage car

Conversational English, Volunteer Voices Cuba

Impressions of Cuban Life Through Volunteering

Volunteers working with Cuban students of English - both adults and youth - discover sharing the language is the best way to share insights about life. This Cuba Volunteer reflects on a week of service... By Rene Moquin, 5-time Global Volunteer. As…

Volunteer Voices Cuba

Awareness, Growth, and Friendship in Cuba

By Melinda, Cuba Global Volunteers Another day of awareness, growth and friendship. Here are my thoughts, abbreviated in this format. Awareness The interdependent Web: Chris, Guthrie, and the professional masons chisel off the old plaster…

Service-Learning, Volunteer Voices Cuba

Student Volunteer Lists Joys of Service Work in Cuba

Journal entry by Ben, Cuba Global Volunteer and University of Iowa Student, written during his volunteer program in Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. Over the course of my volunteer work in Cuba, I have tried to think of a way to explain to everyone…

Volunteer Voices

Brenda Pearson: Global Volunteer, Team Player and Friend

Global Volunteers salutes Brenda Pearson, who has served on 9 Global Volunteers service programs since 2008, beginning with Mexico. From there Brenda was "hooked" on Global Volunteers and went on to serve in China, Portugal, St. Lucia,…

Volunteer Voices

Motivated Couple Volunteering Worldwide Reflects on Impact of Service

Global Volunteers Bill and Barb Chase have served together in Ecuador, Tanzania, Montana, West Virginia, St. Lucia and Costa Rica since 2006. This couple volunteering worldwide exemplifies the opportunities to discover the world - and each other…

Volunteer Voices Cuba

“Only two more days in Cuba!”

By Sandy, 6-time Global Volunteer. Only two more days in Cuba for me! As usual, after a nice buffet breakfast at the hotel, everyone went off to their morning project. Daniel and Bethany went to the center to prepare the ground for planting,…

Volunteer Voices Cuba

Cuban Dream Realized

By Stevan, Cuba Global Volunteer It has been a dream of mine of over 30 years to visit Cuba. Even though there were ways to get there via Canada or Mexico, I was just afraid and didn’t want to be a poster child for the U.S. government as…

Conversational English, Volunteer Voices Cuba

How Cubans and Americans Are Connecting Through Service

By Bethany, Cuba Global Volunteer. Question asked during English Conversations Q: "What is different between teenagers in Cuba & The US?" A: "There is no difference; we all want the same things – friends, time, family –…

Conversational English, Volunteer Voices Poland

Retired Teacher Touches Hearts of Polish Students

Lani, a 3-time volunteer and retired schoolteacher, recently returned from her program teaching English in Poland. Lani taught students from kindergarten through sixth grade. She was so touched when she opened her mailbox to a wonderful parcel…