Community Partner since 1998.
The Cook Islands are known for their awe-inspiring natural beauty, exciting land and sea attractions and warm Polynesian culture. But how does the tourism-reliant country cope without tourists? And what has suddenly reduced the country’s foreign aid? Families straddling the poverty line now are re-imagining a post-COVID economy on the remote archipelago. Read on for […]
The Cook Islands have been “COVID-19 free” for more than a month – without one diagnosed case since the pandemic erupted. Across the international date line, the country’s associated state of New Zealand has beaten back the disease with just three new cases in the first two weeks of May. The nations of the world […]
Cook Islands Team Leader Sam Ellison reported to the Global Volunteers office on how the COVID-19 crisis has impacted Rarotonga, and why volunteers’ help will be an integral part of their recovery. Peru Country Manager Daniel Salazar looks into the problem further. By Daniel Salazar The Cook Islands has no confirmed cases of COVID-19, but […]
Alumna Carol McNertney’s “second act” began with her students’ suggestion to expand her horizons. She writes how a promise to them led her on a true journey of the “heart” in her retirement – first to Montana, then to the Cook Islands. By Carol McNertney, Global Volunteers Alumna The Promise Everyone who commits to volunteering […]
It might be that there’s no farther point from the Cook Islands in the United States than Maine. But, that didn’t discourage University of Maine Honors College student Lucie Bonneville from traveling to the South Pacific with Global Volunteers. Undaunted by the 7,000 mile journey, she sought to help others in the global community and […]
The benefits of volunteering are endless across the spectrum of life. Service to others helps us understand the world and ourselves, connect with people, impact events and make a difference. During her gap year, 18 – year – old Cassidy Richardson learned all these lessons and more in the Cook Islands with Global Volunteers. She […]
When Annie saw the description of Global Volunteers’ Cook Islands program, she suspected it might be precisely the type of “once-in-a-lifetime” destination for her wife, Toby’s, 70th birthday. Together, they decided that celebrating Toby’s milestone birthday in service to others would be unforgettable and rewarding. Read Toby’s story here! By Toby S., First-time Cook Islands […]
Juliet Cooke from Wellington New Zealand said teaching at St. Joseph’s School in Rarotonga was a unique way to learn about the Cook Islands culture from the “inside.” In the classrooms, she helped students improve their reading and literacy skills and supported their teachers. In an interview with Marketing Assistant Millie Pinakoulaki, Juliet describes the highlights […]
Throughout her childhood, Cassidy Richardson was interested in learning about different cultures and languages. The more she learned, the more she felt drawn to help others while putting her growing understanding to work. When Cassidy turned 18, she decided to get out of the comfort of her home and volunteer in the Cook Islands. In […]
Volunteering gives you the chance to be a part of something bigger than yourself, find purpose, and use your civic responsibility for the greater good. On a Global Volunteers service program, you can provide hands on help to communities in need around the world. Without the help of volunteers, our partner communities would struggle to […]