Community Partner since 1995.
A friendship that includes a shared dedication to service is one that is sure to last. Californians Linn Joanis and Melody Covay have volunteered on four service programs together since 2015, and they have no intention of stopping. They first served together in the Cook Islands, and then went on to serve in Greece in […]
In 2005, Global Volunteers launched the popular English summer school at the invitation of the Mayor’s Office of Malevizi, Crete. Its purpose? To help improve students’ conversational English skills and build up their confidence in using English as a second language. This story about Mihali* is representative of the significant impact English language skills building […]
Christmas or (Xristouyenna- Christouyenna) meaning “the birth of Christ” is one of the most important celebrations within the Greek Orthodox church. Traditions vary depending on which region or Island one is from. Here are a few of the popular traditions celebrated in Greece as reported by Greece Country Manager Sam Pinakoulaki: Kalikantzari During the 12-day […]
Septuagenarians Bob and Judy Nix have always had a passion for making a difference, especially in the lives of children. Volunteer travel had always been on their bucket list, so when Bob’s sister Linda Murphy asked them to join her on a service program in Greece with Global Volunteers, they were ready to go. In […]
When you think of Greece, what comes to mind? The rise of democracy? The Olympic Games, ancient history and philosophy, Minotaurs and mythology? Perhaps you think of magnificent temples, the clear waters of the Aegean Sea, sandy beaches, mountain villages, or small windy roads blocked by sheep and goats. Greece is also known as the […]
Since 2014, Global Volunteers has worked alongside the Union of Women Associations of Heraklion (UWAH) to improve the lives of vulnerable women and children in Crete. Our partnership has mobilized volunteers to help Association members learn English, paint and clean their shelter for abused women and children, and produce crafts projects to raise money for […]
The history, architecture, scenery, cuisine, safety, and climate of Europe make the continent a favorite travel destination. The bonus of getting to truly get to know local people through community projects – experiencing the fullness of their culture, and making life-long friends – is a highlight of a Global Volunteers program. Each is summarized here […]
When Cassidy Matz arrived as a volunteer in Crete in 2019, she was an early childhood education student, and anticipated teaching preschool after graduation. But, she admitted her focus was lacking. After teaching teens English for two weeks, she gained a profound sense of purpose and her career vision became clear. She changed her major, […]
Few countries in the world can compete with the beauty, history, and cuisine of Greece. Yet, despite its endowments, Greece has been one of the European countries that have struggled the most in recent years. Global Volunteers Greece Country Manager Sam Pinakoulaki explains how the Greece Service Program has responded to local people’s needs, and […]
In every case, volunteers are catalysts for lasting change on genuine development projects. Because our inspired community partners have the vision and local support to direct volunteer projects, individuals, families, and groups are the “helping hands” for long-term success – whether teaching English, planting container gardens, providing health care, teaching in the classroom, painting a […]