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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Cultures and Traditions China

The Chinese “Little New Year”

Thursday is the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month on the Chinese calendar. It’s known as the Chinese Little New Year in the northern China. The people in southern China celebrate the Little New Year on the 24th of the twelfth lunar month. After…

Volunteer Voices Tanzania

“I Feel Like a Real Teacher”

Today was a relatively busy day, but it was interesting and great. I feel like I became a real teacher. This morning I woke up at 6:30 as usual, I had breakfast, then I went to the school. I was somehow nervous because it would be my first…

Cultures and Traditions

Kanum Pongal – 4th Day of Pongal

Kanum Pongal, also called Thiruvalluvar Day The fourth day of the three-day Pongal celebrations is called Kaanum Pongal. In few places this day is also known as Thiruvalluvar Day. It is dedicated to the sun god, Surya On this day,…

Cultures and Traditions

Mattu Pongal, 3rd Day of Pongal

Mattu Pongal The third day of Pongal is dedicated to cattle and is called Mattu Pongal. People offer prayers to the bulls, cows and other farm animals. Cows and bulls have always held a special place in India. Cows give milk while bulls and…

Cultures and Traditions

Surya Pongal, 2nd Day of Pongal

Surya Pongal The second day of Pongal is known as 'Surya Pongal' and is dedicated to the Sun God. It is the day on which the celebration actually begins and is also the first day of the Tamil month “Thai” Women wake early on this day…

Cultures and Traditions

Happy Pongal

Bhogi Festival Bhogi is the first day of Pongal, celebrated in honor of the rain god indra. He is worshipped because he gives good rain, which in turn gives good harvest. On Bhogi all people clean out their homes from top to bottom,…

Cultures and Traditions

Happy Pongal – Pongal O Pongal

Pongal Pongal is the harvest festival celebrated by the Tamil people all around the world. It is a State Holiday in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The festival is celebrated on January 15th every year and is also one of the longest…

Free Time Options Greece

Here’s an Idea – Hiking in Crete in your Free Time!

Thanks to Greece volunteer Lynn Lotkowictz for her recommendation: About 10 years ago, I had to give up running for the usual wear and tear reasons. But the void it left was tremendous. My job, managing an energetic sales team and support…

Volunteer Voices Tanzania

A Place Not So Famous

I think people should travel to places which are not famous, or places which are hard to reach, like Pomerni and Iringa, because in this way they will have experiences that they’ve never had, see things that they’ve never seen, not…

Volunteer Voices Tanzania

A New Day in Africa

Yesterday was my first day in Africa. The sea shore of Dar es salaam was very beautiful, especially when right before dark. We had dinner in a restaurant near the sea, so I got the chance to see the wonderful sunset. During the dinner,…

Cultures and Traditions Greece

Tasty Holiday cookies from Greece!

Its that time of the year once again. A time to indulge, enjoy tasty treats and forget the scales! Here are two recipes that you will find in every household throughout Greece over the holiday season. Try them out for yourselves you will…

Cultures and Traditions

Christmas Traditions – Snacks and Sweets

In India we have a tradition of sharing home made special Snacks and Sweets with our friends and neighbors for every religious celebration. Being Christians and Christmas being our biggest festival Sheeba made some Rava Laddu, Murukku,…