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!

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…

Volunteer Voices

Amazing beginning

Message of the day Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. Buddha The first day here working with these…

Volunteer Voices Portugal

The Beginning of a New Service Adventure

Our new team gathered for breakfast at the TrypOriente Hotel in Lisbon after safely traveling from many points in the U.S. Lynn, John, Judy, Ann, Barbara, Noreen, Karen, Ruth and David and our valiant leader, Joe Testa, set out…

Cultures and Traditions Greece

Valentines day in Greece

Greece is the land of Aphrodite, Goddess of love, lust and beauty .Thus, the air of Greece naturally has romance in it. The ancient belief of Greece is that Cupid, the son of Aphrodite causes the emotion of love between two people.…

Volunteer Voices

Using my five senses in Queretaro

Traveling has the advantage over video and books because one can use all five senses. I chose three examples of each, one that I will not duplicate when returning home. I see: The bright eyes of UTEQ students fixed on words from…

Volunteer Voices Cook Islands

Busy Day at Schools

Mary and Dave continued their testing of grade 8 students’ reading. Generally, students were able to correctly read the words but often struggled with their meaning. The highlight of their day was a teacher popping in to ask about her…

Volunteer Voices

I cannot do everything, but I can do something

Message of the day I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do. Edward Everette Hale As our volunteering comes to a close,…

Volunteer Voices Cook Islands

Successful moments with students

Message of the Day – “A black pearl is small but it is a gem. “ (Traditional) Even though our time here is short, it is very useful and a gem. Our first day of work and we were all anxious to learn more about our assignments.…

Cultures and Traditions China

Dumpling Recipe for the New Year

To make the dumpling, sometimes called "potstickers" Dumpling dough: 2 cups all purpose flour 1 cup boiling water Filling: 8 ounces celery cabbage (Napa cabbage) 3 tsp salt, divided 1 pound lean ground pork 1/4 cup…

Volunteer Voices China

The Story Behind La La Shou

Global Volunteers helps care the children at Xi'an La La Shou Special Education Center. The school is an amazing place. It was founded in 2002 by two remarkable women, who decided that their handicapped youngsters were not going to be served…

Volunteer Voices

India Team 137 Journal Excerpts – Part 4

Wednesday, January 22, 2014 Message of day: They may not remember your name, your ago, or anything you said, but they will remember your smile and the joy you brought to them. Day 3 is complete. We ventured once again back to…