Community Partner since 2007.
By hosting the G77 Summit this month, Cuba renewed discussions about its contribution to technological innovations on the world stage at a time when diplomacy and international cooperation hold the keys to solving pressing global challenges,. But how do “average” Cubans regard their personal agency in international relations? For volunteers working with Cubans participating in […]
Some of the world’s most beautiful islands are also the greatest volunteering locations. If you choose service as a way to refocus your mind onto something larger than yourself, you can take a break in one of our partner communities and make a world of difference. Our service programs engage you in genuine development projects […]
Visiting Cuba is a remarkable experience that we wish everyone could enjoy. Since Global Volunteers’ first group of travelers visited Havana in 2012, our focus has centered on the Cuban people – their hopes, dreams, and goals. We have worked with our Cuban partners and friends every year since. But US law regulates which Americans […]
Malnutrition and food insecurity are grim issues affecting millions of people worldwide. The latest report from the United Nations shows we are moving backward in efforts to eliminate hunger, and families in low-resource communities bear the greatest burden. By Angie Swanson, Development Director Even in tropical settings like St. Lucia, Peru, or Tanzania, where bananas […]
During a week-long adventure in service, eleven-year-old Fletcher and his mother, Christie, found gratitude for each other and the Cuban people through volunteering. They learned about themselves and a different culture by leaving their everyday life behind to embark on a volunteer journey. Even though Fletcher is only eleven years old, he flourished while serving, […]
When first-time Global Volunteer and Ameriprise Financial Director, Cindy Hanson, prepared for her Cuba Service Program in 2022, she “overlooked” the expectation she’d be teaching basic English skills for part of every day. Once onsite, she learned that sharing conversational skills with eager teens need not be daunting. “Just discuss what you know,” she was […]
Crystal blue bays and soft sandy beaches. Breathtaking views with a carefree “beat.” Island volunteer vacations provide an opportunity to escape the cold weather while helping to change the arc of a child’s life. Global Volunteers’ service programs offer couples, families, groups, and individuals the opportunity to combine altruism with exotic adventure. Choose a program that meets […]
Diego Acosta was born in Arequipa, in the south of Peru. At age three, his family moved to Lima, where he was raised and attended school. After serving as our English translator for four years, he became Global Volunteers’ team leader in 2022. In cooperation with our community partners in Peru, Diego leads all teams […]
Iowa Development Director and Global Volunteers Alumna Ann Sweeney has found a familiar second “home” in Ciego de Ávila, our partner community in Cuba, which will again host volunteers after a nearly three-year pandemic suspension. On her last service program in 2018, Ann rekindled connections with “old friends” in a community garden, where team members […]
Many volunteers fundraise for their service program contribution by working with Global Volunteers staff to create a fundraising page. It’s easy to do! Volunteers commonly tell us that they were joyfully surprised by how many people in their lives wanted to support their volunteering — and did. Here, Don Diehl shares his story of how […]