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 Montana

Transgender Global Volunteer Welcomed by Blackfeet Nation

Linda Roberts, a volunteer spirited transgender (MTF) from Florida, spent a week of service in Montana with Global Volunteers. Driven by her desire to give back in a community that would appreciate her support, Linda embarked for her first…

Conversational English

“My Secret is Global Volunteers in Mexico.”

by Pam Cromer, Mexico Volunteer Team Leader My favorite poet is Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Her poem “How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Ways….” says it all for me about Global Volunteers in Mexico. The charming, historic town of…

Volunteer Voices Cuba

Building Bridges Between the “Brothers”

by Mary Jansiewicz Our Global Volunteers Cuba Program in February was absolutely amazing! We learned so much about Cuba and Cubans. Number one: They love Americans; everyone we met was friendly and interested in us—and, speaking…

News and Updates Cuba

Acknowledgment to Global Volunteers from a Cuban Student

March 15, 2016 Poem written by: Gerardo, Cuban student who works with Global Volunteers Since November of last year we've been lucky to receive every month a happy team of the Global Volunteers Ever since,…

News and Updates Cuba

Thank You from our Cuba Program Partner

Dear brothers and sisters, You might wonder what kind of work you come to Cuba to do. Indeed, you do not come to build schools, because we have schools and education, available for everyone. You do not come to do medical work, because…

News and Updates, Volunteer Voices Cuba

The Joys of Being a Global Volunteer in Cuba

by Frank Baudino I'm so glad I went on this Global Volunteers mission. I lucked out in many ways--one of which being on the painting team. I love painting and the time we spent in peoples' houses was time spent to form relationships. The…

Family Volunteering, Volunteer Voices Poland

Grandmother and Granddaughter Serve Together in Poland

by Fran Johansen (middle-right in the photo) and her granddaughter Betz Mayer (right in the photo) A day at Villa “Cztery Pory Roku” in Zakopane dawned like most days for us with wisps of mist wrapping around mountains and promises…

Volunteer Voices Portugal

My Home Away from Home in Beja

by Joe Testa Beja has become my home away from home. I always look forward to returning year after year. Not only is it beautiful with its narrow cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed houses, the people are friendly, warm and eager…

Volunteer Voices Cuba

Seeing Cuba after 57 Years

by Tom McMahon My two weeks in Cuba reminded me of the comment Churchill made of another country: “Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” That seemed to sum up the impression made on me by Cuba…the forbidden fruit…

News and Updates

Top Ten Reasons to Volunteer Abroad

Ever feel like you need a new direction? Want to refocus your practice, priorities, or life? Feeling under-appreciated? Want to make a difference outside of your community? Consider becoming a Global Volunteer. This top 10 list was…

News and Updates

Travel to Make a Difference

In fall of 2015, Travelocity had a Twitter campaign to promote and support international development and volunteerism by awarding one hundred people grants to Travel for Good - a total of over $100, 000 was donated to the field of volunteer…

News and Updates

My Favorite Moment as a Global Volunteer – From Instagram

To honor the hundreds (and hundreds!) of Instagram photos being shared with us about Global Volunteering, we asked our followers to take us back to their favorite volunteer moments by posting a photo with #GVtakemeback. And the…