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!

Internet access in Cuba

Volunteer Voices Italy

Monopoli – Global Volunteers Arrive in Two Weeks

Monopoli, Italy, the “home away from home” for Global Volunteers in Italy will charm you on first meeting. The town-wall rises from the sea, and carries the blending white limestone-houses with their colour rich window-shutters. The…

Internet access in Cuba

Free Time Options

Swings and Spectacular Views in Baños

In a post three weeks ago, the town of Baños and the waterfall Pailón del Diablo were highlighted. Baños is such a large attraction due to the fact that it offers many activities such as hiking, biking, rafting, kayaking, horseback riding,…

Internet access in Cuba

Volunteer Voices St Lucia

We are “Breaking Ground!”

Message of the Day: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi Abna said he would turn two in September, but I could have sworn U. was only six months old. He couldn’t talk, and he only recently learned…

Internet access in Cuba

Cultures and Traditions

Ambedkar Jayanthi

Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated as birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, who was born on 14th April, 1891. It is a National Holiday in India. The saying among us is Gandhi got us Independence but Ambedkar got us our Freedom.…

Internet access in Cuba

Cultures and Traditions

“Iniya Tamizh Puthandu Nalvaazhthukkal” – Happy Tamil New Year

Tamil people all around the world celebrate Tamil new year on 14 April. It falls in the month of Chitterai, the first month of the Tamil solar calendar. It is a state holiday in the state of Tamil Nadu. On the occasion people visit temples…

Cuban car

Cultures and Traditions Cuba

What ‘Life In The New Cuba’ Is Really Like

Broadcast on NPR April 13, 2014 Summary: Since Fidel Castro ceded authority to his brother Raul in 2006, life in Cuba has slowly been changing. Young Cubans are more comfortable talking about their government, and cellphones have begun…

Internet access in Cuba

Volunteer Voices Cuba

Our last day in Ciego de Avila

Our last day in Ciego de Avila - Thursday - was spent in the heart of the city. We met Eduardo at his church where we gave all the donations we carried with us - toys, fabric, toothpaste and brushes. Zoe led us on a short walking tour of the…

Internet access in Cuba

Volunteer Voices Cuba

A Full Day of Activities in Havana

Our morning began with a stop at the US Interest Section. It operates under the Swiss Embassy, with the purpose of protecting US citizens while they are in Cuba. They also issue visas (both immigration and visitor). The line for visa appointments…

Internet access in Cuba

Volunteer Voices Cuba

Tangible Poetry

Tangible poetry: That is what the artists who work there call Muraleando. Our morning began at the "neighborhood of art". The community was there - the neighbors, the residents - filled the streets as they were enjoying a street fair. Children…

Internet access in Cuba

Volunteer Voices China

A Letter to Global Volunteers from a Student in Xi’an

Anna is a sophomore student in Xi’an Biomedical Technical College. She majors in Medicine Making but loves English and translation very much. She gets excited each time when Global Volunteers goes to her school and takes all possible opportunities…

Internet access in Cuba

Volunteer Voices

The Same Moon

"No matter what our differences are, we all look at the same moon." We are preparing ourselves to leave. That does not mean to pack clothes. It means we are packing memories. We may be discarding ideas or preconceptions we brought…

Internet access in Cuba

Cultures and Traditions Cuba

The Culture of Cuba

“To be cultured is the only way to be free.” José Martí For a small country, Cuba has a very large soul. It’s all owing to a culture which is rich, vibrant and immensely varied. At the island’s heart are the Cubans, brought here…