While service to children and families is the purpose of Global Volunteers programs, working alongside local people is the best way to experience culture and traditions in your host country.  Learn more about some of the customs, language and history that comes alive when serving for one, two or three weeks with Global Volunteers.

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, and collect all unwanted goods. This day is meant for domestic activities […]

Read more →
/by

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 celebrations in the Tamil calendar, spread over four days. The festival of […]

Read more →
/by

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 NOT be disappointed. Melamakarona  ( Walnut and honey cookies) 1 cup vegetable oil […]

Read more →
/by

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, Achu Murukku and Adhirasam. We shared these with our neighbors around the Guest House. Rava Laddu – Rava Ladoo is a […]

Read more →
/by
,

Moses is Married! – The Practice of Dowry Explained

By Tanzania Country Manager Edward Mgeni Our friend and Global Volunteer program assistant Moses Kifyasi has married Zamuda  Mgaya.  On this occasion, it is interesting to describe our practice of a dowry before a marriage can be permitted.  This is my experience as a life-long villager in Pommern. When deciding a dowry in this community [The […]

Read more →
/by
,

The Openness and Willingness to Share the Blackfeet Culture

Blackfeet culture

Who knew we’d be exposed to Blackfeet culture immediately on our first work day?  In preparation, one of our team members, Julie, started us off with an emotional historical message from Chief Seattle: “How can you buy or sell the sky, the warmth of the land? The idea is strange to us. Every part of this […]

Read more →
/by

Blackfeet Reservation Volunteer Learns about Natural Remedies in Time for Healing

Blackfeet reservation volunteers learn about plants

  by Blackfeet Reservation Volunteer Kelsey It so happened that the morning I wake up with a sore throat and stuffy nose is the same day we go visit the Blackfeet “medicine woman” in Browning. But more about that later. I slowly got out of bed, falling a few steps behind the rest of the […]

Read more →
/by

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Cinco de Mayo — or the fifth of May — commemorates the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867). A relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with […]

Read more →
/by

Learn about Queretaro!

QUERETARO, MEXICO: The glorious past – The dynamic present! Written by: Francoise, Global Volunteer Team Leader When I agreed to lead a team of volunteers to Queretaro, Mexico, I had already traveled extensively to more “exotic” sites south of our border, mostly in Central and South America, and I relied on memories of an earlier […]

Read more →
/by

Engage in a Colorful Culture! Viva Mexico!

day of the dead in mexico

There’s so much to enjoy in Querétaro, Mexico as a volunteer – not the least, the year-round holidays and celebrations. Nearly every month, you have a reason to celebrate. Get two for one! Help others and learn about a new culture.  Join a team this year, and share in the excitement of our partners and students. […]

Read more →
/by
Global Volunteers
375 East Little Canada Road
St. Paul, MN 55117-1628 USA
(800) 487-1074 | toll-free
(651) 482-0915 | fax
globalvolunteers.org
email@globalvolunteers.org
Federal EIN: 36-3352680

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST!

Subscribe to receive updates, new blog posts, and inspiring stories from our work around the world.