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!

Touched by the Students

Volunteer Voices Cuba

English and Relationships go Hand-in-Hand

Today, some of us go to the English class at the Community Center. Everyone else goes to their assignments. Sandy tells me that the workers at the Church pulled 50 – 2 x 12 x 18” cement blocks up to the second floor dorm to build a new…

Touched by the Students

Volunteer Voices Italy

Monday – Imagine School & Caves – Very Busy Day

The morning started with our usual breakfast and short meeting. Upon arriving at the school, we proceeded to our various assignments. My first two hours were spent with teacher, Anna Maria. One student presented her power point on Chaucer…

Touched by the Students

Volunteer Voices Cuba

“The best trip I have ever taken”

Once again, I had tears in my eyes as I saw how the hotel kitchen staff shows their love for us. They had decorated our table with two bouquets of handmade long-stemmed paper roses – one for each tem member. They had also gotten some individual…

Touched by the Students

Volunteer Voices Cuba

Cuba Volunteer Reflects on Her Experience: “We are all instruments of peace!”

"An opportunity to offer meaningful service and to visit a place still not open to American tourists was perfect, " said Kit Lane while reflecting on her decision to volunteer in Cuba. "When I saw the post on Facebook about Global Volunteers'…

Touched by the Students

Volunteer Voices Cuba

“Truly I feel at home here”

"I continue to be blown away by how hospitable and kind our hosts have been. In the South we have something called 'Southern Hospitality, ' but I can confirm that Cuban Hospitality is another beast entirely. It is one thing to say you are glad…

Volunteer Voices Cuba

Grandmother-Grandson Duo Explore Cuba as Pioneer Volunteers

The first Global Volunteers team to Cuba was Glenda Biggerstaff's fourth Global Volunteers program overall. However, even with her past experience, this was a brand new adventure for her - not only because she would be one of the nation's first…

Touched by the Students

Volunteer Voices Poland

Touched by the Students We Teach

Margaret, a volunteer serving in Poland, talks about how volunteers serving at Reymontówka are touched by the students they teach. We awoke in the middle of the night to the sound of thunder and hail stones hitting the roof. This type…

Touched by the Students

Volunteer Voices Cuba

First Week of Volunteering Wraps up in Cuba

You might expect that our English classes at the Community Center on Day Five would be routine. No – every class has its surprises with new students and endearing returnees. Randy, Lou and Marietta introduced our classes to “This Little…

Touched by the Students

Volunteer Voices Cuba

Minneapolis Veteran Volunteer Calls Cuba Program One of the Best

"I knew I wanted to experience Cuba as a volunteer, " said Sue Surma - long-time Global Volunteer team member and leader. "As soon as my best friend Holly signed up for the first team, I told her I'd go with her." Sue and Holly try to volunteer…

Touched by the Students

Volunteer Voices Cuba

Reflections on a Cuban Volunteer Journey

Snapshots of Cuba – It has been five days since we landed in Cuba. This country has been so close to Miami and so far from the United States for my entire life. Here we are. There are so many snapshots or images that we have experienced…

Touched by the Students

Volunteer Voices Italy

Thursday – A Day Of Unity, Joy & Tears

Today exchange students Granada, Spain and Munich, Germany partied and shared tearful goodbyes with their Italian counterparts. They return home after a whirlwind week of visiting Puglia. We were for fortunate to meet some of them…

Touched by the Students

Volunteer Voices Poland

Helping as Many Students as We Can

Today we had a busy morning breakfast. Breakfast included a spread made of farmers’ cheese (twaróg) with radishes and the usual meat & cheese plate. We were treated to hearing two journal entry readings from Bettina and Meghan recounting…