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 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…

Touched by the Students

News and Updates, Reaching Children's Potential Cuba

Farming in Cuba

Global Volunteers assists local farmers in our partner community of Ciego de Avila. On our inaugural service program in May, 2015, volunteers worked alongside paid community laborers on weeding and harvesting produce at "Garden Number 2."…

Touched by the Students

Volunteer Voices Italy

Wednesday – We Are Blessed!

Our school in Italy, "Polo Liceale "Galileo Galilei" is filled with wonderful works of art. It is a genuine privilege to walk the halls and experience the mastery of Italian artists. We are truly blessed. What a joy it is to walk…

Touched by the Students

Volunteer Voices Cuba

“I Love Cuba!”

Pennsylvania nurse Holly Doll said volunteering in Cuba was greatly preferred over a standard cultural tour. Sewing with senior women and gardening beside a local farmer revealed the "soul" of Cuba, she said, and allowed her to…

Touched by the Students

Volunteer Voices Cuba

Teaching, Gardening, Building and Crafting in Cuba

Both the gardening and maintenance teams set out for their work locations at 8:00AM, and the English teaching volunteers were off by 9:30AM for the Community Center. Sandy and Bill hoisted buckets of sand, gravel and concrete by means of…

Touched by the Students

Volunteer Voices Italy

Tuesday Is Togetherness Day & Flag Day

This is our second day at school and we are beginning to feel connected. We are now more relaxed and ready to meet the challenges of a new day. At 10 AM, we participated in a flag ceremony along with teachers from Spain and Germany. We…