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.

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Volunteer Voices

No Good-Byes, Just See You Again!

Message of the day: "The greatest commandment no matter whom one serves is to love one another." - One night with the king It’s hard to believe that this is my last time writing in this journal about this incredible adventure…

Volunteer Voices

Romania: Home Away From Home!

Message of the day: "Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it's thinking of yourself less". - C S Lewis Where do I begin other than to say time is going so fast and it’s hard to believe that this is our final week here. That…

Volunteer Voices Portugal

An Overview of our Teaching Assignments

Joe’s intrepid band of volunteers had another good day continuing to work with students at several schools and also with one-on-one tutoring. David reported that he and Noreen had a lively discussion with a 10th grade class who had formulated…

Reaching Children's Potential, Volunteer Voices

Autism and Music Rules

Message For the Day: Autism and Music Rules Rani left us well sated yet again as Kathi and I left for what promised to be another rewarding day at St. Thomas. Karen and Sheeba were off to get Stela Mary a much needed eye exam. I was especially…

Volunteer Voices

Let us Learn about Life!

Message of the day "Every day God gives us the sun- and also one moment in which we have the ability to change everything." - Phillip Cole Today was Romania’s National Love Day and the start of our second and final week…

Volunteer Voices Portugal

“It’s All Coming Together”

Hard to believe that this is the beginning of our final week in Beja. We know much more about this beautiful city, the surrounding areas, and the Portugese than we did just one week ago. We all have mastered how to get to our schools…

Volunteer Voices China

Beautiful Cherry Blossoms in Kunming!

February 20, 2014, Kunming Yuantong Park opened its 15th Cheery Flower Festival. The beautiful cherry blossoms attracted thousands of visitors last weekend. Kunming is the capital of southwest China's Yunnan province. It's known as…

Volunteer Voices Portugal

Portugal Team #16 — Many Ways to Have a “Good Day”

Our nine seasoned teacher-helpers started out for our schools in a heavy fog, but Lynn and I now know the way and no longer get lost. This was our longest teaching day. We had five classes in the morning, a regular class in the afternoon,…

Volunteer Voices

Let’s talk about love!

Message of the day The tongue is the strongest muscle in the human body. Use yours to lift someone up today. Terry Ann Armstrong It’s hard to believe that we are almost done with our first week here and it has been amazing…

Volunteer Voices Portugal

Settling Into a Teaching Routine

During breakfast, Barbara read her Monday entry in the journal, followed by the team's impressions about their 2nd day on the job. We reported back a variety of experiences, as our students range from very young pupils struggling to learn…

Volunteer Voices

Tamales slinging

Late start today Tamales slinging. By 10:20 Bus is bringing. Student groups Are pretty swinging. To be fair My lemons winging. With some work The words are stringing. Bus ride home Ideas are springing. Then shopping trip With…

Volunteer Voices Portugal

a warm welcome to our first class

Judy and I met Joe in the lobby at 8:45 to walk to our school, Santiago Major. In the teacher’s lounge we met Irene, the head of the English language department, to complete our schedules, and met two other teachers, Jose and Consecao. As…