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!

Reaching Children's Potential, Volunteer Voices

“The Most Rewarding Day”

Today was one of the most rewarding days on this program. It started in the Assi Illam center, an orphanage that is converted into a day care in the morning to provide an income for the orphanage. When we arrived in the morning the children…

Reaching Children's Potential, Volunteer Voices

First time an Exclusive Team from the UAE

Since it was a public Holiday and all the children were away, Stephen arranged for us to help him and his wife sheeba to cover the Earth box , and clean the library in Seams Children Center. We spent the whole morning there and we finished…

Volunteer Voices Italy

Friday – Our Last Day – Many Memories Travel Home With Us

Students, Teachers, Monopoli....We Will Miss You We taught students - both young & old. They shared so much of their lives, stories and culture with us Through our many conversations and observations, we feel so privileged to…

Volunteer Voices Poland

Leaving a little piece of yourself

We are well into our second week and everyone seems to be settling in with their students. The past weekend was relaxing for me although I have not been able to totally remove myself from business-related decisions that need to be made at home. I…

Cultures and Traditions Cuba

Article: Google Makes Internet Freedom Visit to Cuba

Google Makes Internet Freedom Visit to Cuba By Tom Risen June 30, 2014 | 10:52 a.m. EDT Only 2.6 million of 11.2 million living in Cuba have Internet access, with many of the access points run by the government or hotels for wealthy…

Volunteer Voices Italy

Thursday – A Day To Pause & Reflect For Team 185

A Time To Pause and Reflect......... We are nearing the end of our two week stay in Monopoli! I am just beginning to feel comfortable at school with the teachers and the students, finally getting the hang of things. As we participate…

Conversational English, Volunteer Voices Italy

Tuesday – A Day For Teaching Both English & Cooking

Today the volunteers awoke to the sound of the ‘Mistral’, the famous wind that brought waves crashing into the shore just outside the Hotel Cleo. Our tranquil Adriatic Sea was transformed into a beautiful crashing and raging sea. School…

Volunteer Voices Italy

Monday – It’s Always An Adventure in Monopoli!

It is now day six of our volunteer experience. We arrived promptly at 8:00 A.M. at the school. Some of us went with teacher, Maria. She was a substitute teacher for a class of first-year students. Their level of English was very basic…

Volunteer Voices Italy

Wednesday – Midweek – Life Doesn’t Get Better Than This!

Which Transportation Do You Prefer? The students appear to prefer the motorcycles. We are now on day three of engaging in conversational English in Italy. After being with the same teacher for two days, I was assigned to Rita along with…

Volunteer Voices Italy

Tuesday – What A Difference A Day Makes

Today was very satisfying. We arrived at school at 8 AM and rejoined our classes. My partner and I assisted teacher, Maria with her new first year class by sharing our background and responding to questions and correcting pronunciation. Things…

Volunteer Voices Italy

Welcome! – The First Day Of Class! From Two Perspectives

This is the first day of school for both the students and volunteers. There was a flurry of activity, with many kisses, and greetings from the teachers to one another. One teacher arrived with cookies. Everyone seemed genuinely happy…

Volunteer Voices Italy

Sunday – Our First Day As A Team – Strong & Able

Sunday, our orientation day began with two surprises. First, our team member from Calgary, was celebrating her ?? birthday. What better way to spend a birthday - in Italy. Our second surprise was a breakfast appearance from the lovely…