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!

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 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…

High School Volunteer Abroad

Group Volunteering, Service-Learning

High School Volunteer Abroad – Service Learning Opportunities Year Around

Global Volunteers excels in high-school service-learning opportunities. This is because the long-term community development projects students work on are directed by local leaders, managed by development experts, and completed by…

Become a Global Volunteer

News and Updates

17 Photos That Will Make You Want to Become a Global Volunteer

Get ready to feel inspired to become a Global Volunteer! 1. You'll watch the minds (and smiles) of children grow. China Photo By: Wang Baoli, China Country Manager 2. And in many cases, you will learn as you teach. Tanzania Photo…

News and Updates Cuba

Make Sure You Help, Not Hurt When Visiting Cuba

As President Obama declares "Change is going to happen in Cuba, " Global Volunteers President and CEO offers advice to Americans in a widely released editorial: Cuba is a wonderful country of many contradictions. It boasts one of the world’s…

Global Volunteer Barb Chase saying goodbye at high school in Costa Rica

Volunteer Voices

Saying Goodbye at Colegio

Team Journal Entry for Friday, March 18 This was an early morning to finish our work with Jorge’s class from 8:00 till 9:30 or a little later. We placed tires and planted rooted plants in them. They still need more dirt in and around…