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!

teaching English

Conversational English, Volunteer Voices Greece

A Volunteer’s First Day Of Teaching in Crete

This excerpt from one day of a team journal describes team members' daily assignments on a Greece service program. After another beautiful sunrise and another animated discussion with my other team members at breakfast, we all made…

CULTURE RICH COUNTRY: PERU!

Volunteer Voices Poland

Final Reflections from Team # 250

"This being the last journal article I want to thank all those involved in making this a pleasant and worthwhile venture. This has been my fourth volunteer assignment in Poland. I have enjoyed every minute of experiencing a new culture, making…

Cultures and Traditions

‘Pura Vida’ – The Costa Rican Way of Life

"Pura vida" is more than just a slogan that so easily rolls of the tongues of Costa Ricans; the phrase is a true mantra for the way of life in this Central American country. Said only by Costa Ricans, this phrase would literally be translated…

CULTURE RICH COUNTRY: PERU!

Volunteer Voices Italy

Our Last Day – Celebrating 20 Years

WHAT A STUPENDOUS DAY - CELEBRATING 20 YEARS Fond Farewells - Final Glimpses of Our Beautiful City of Monopoli. Everything was happening for the last time - last class, last lunch, last time to shop, but more importantly the last…

Volunteer Voices Portugal

Teaching English in Beja Portugal!

Our first day teaching in a Beja was without a doubt successful. All 5 of us had nothing but positive things to say about our experiences with our students. Claudia taught an enthusiastic group of 6th and 9th graders. Many students in her 9th…

CULTURE RICH COUNTRY: PERU!

Volunteer Voices Italy

Thursday – The Goodbyes Begin

Today started the usual way a real yearning to turn off the alarm and go back to sleep. But what would the Galileo Galilei students do without us or, more to the point, how could I think of missing a day and not see all those smiling eager…

CULTURE RICH COUNTRY: PERU!

Volunteer Voices Italy

Tuesday – A Rainbow Day – After The Rain

The volunteers got off to a good start on a brisk, sunny morning. The Galileo School had become a familiar and comfortable environment for us now. We relax in the teachers lounge; share teaching ideas and strategies; walk the halls with…

CULTURE RICH COUNTRY: PERU!

Cultures and Traditions, Free Time Options Peru

Culture Rich Country: Peru!

Sometimes your everyday life keeps you so busy that you don’t realize all the amazing things you can find in your city, much the less in your country. Peru is a country with a rich ancient culture that can be seen everywhere in ruins scattered…

CULTURE RICH COUNTRY: PERU!

Volunteer Voices Italy

Monday – Our Second Week Begins With Rain

Finally some cool weather! Week two began today with rain and a cooling trend. Could it be that fall has arrived in Monopoli? All volunteers are in a routine and since the heat has finally abated, classes have moved back indoors. Over…

CULTURE RICH COUNTRY: PERU!

Free Time Options Cuba

Discovering Havana – and Our Final Good-Bye

Message of the Day – “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” Pericles, ancient Greek politician Our final full day in Cuba. After what I think everyone would…

CULTURE RICH COUNTRY: PERU!

Volunteer Voices Cuba

Reflections on Cuba

Message of the Day – “We draw comfort from those who agree with us; growth from those who don’t.” - Marty Nemko Thursday. It's a word we have practiced countless times with our students over the past 8 days. It's a day we have both…

CULTURE RICH COUNTRY: PERU!

Volunteer Voices Italy

Thursday – 99 Degrees ! First Week Almost Over

Aahh yes, the morning breakfast routine has been established. The excessive heat of the day has already been assessed and the school administration has slightly shortened our day and we will now end at noon. Peter and I first worked with…