Global Volunteers is the leading non-profit volunteer abroad organization offering short-term volunteers the opportunity to contribute to development abroad or in the U.S. Founded in 1984, Global Volunteers works in 17 countries worldwide. All costs are tax-deductible.
A virus doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t ask if a country is ready to deal with illness; it doesn’t consider the current struggles of a community or the devastating effects on those who are already fighting to survive. COVID-19 has hit Cuba just like other countries, but a severe lack of critical resources means the Cuban […]
The Cook Islands have been “COVID-19 free” for more than a month – without one diagnosed case since the pandemic erupted. Across the international date line, the country’s associated state of New Zealand has beaten back the disease with just three new cases in the first two weeks of May. The nations of the world […]
The lockdown order in St. Lucia creates the greatest hardship for the most impoverished residents, as is true around the world. While the country has reported only 18 COVID-19 cases to date, most people in our partner community can’t stay at home as required, because their homes lack indoor plumbing, and water for consumption and […]
Buddhi Man Seresta, founder of Papa’s House orphanage and pastor of Fresh Fire Church in Kathmandu, had a difficult time growing up without his father. Yet, the love and care he received from his mother impressed on him his advantages – which thousands of children without parents lacked. As he grew up, he transformed his […]
Global Volunteers Community Partner Malamo “Tenia” Vigla says the regression of her students’ English skills during the COVID-19 lockdown will be a challenge to overcome. In a “normal” school year, Global Volunteers would be teaching important lessons in her classroom to help students bridge the upcoming summer holiday. But, she’s determined to employ the techniques […]
April 28: 24,258 cases of Covid-19, 871 deaths, and 1,212 additional deaths suspected to be as a result of the virus, according to the Ministry of Public Health in Ecuador. We’ve sustained our unenviable position as the country with the most cases per capita in Latin America. How did we get here, and how do […]
Miguel Rodríguez, a psychologist and founder of Comunidad de Niños Sagrada Familia in Ventanilla, Peru, answers questions about inviting volunteers into the children’s home. While the Peruvian government offers no advisories or regulations about visitors in children’s homes and orphanages, Rodríguez, Global Volunteers’ community partner, defends his belief that short-term volunteers enhance children’s care, growth, […]
Stephen Raja, Global Volunteers’ Nepal Country Director and Volunteer Preparations Coordinator, reports on conditions from his home in Chennai, India during the government-mandated lock-down, instituted on March 24. It has been extended through May 3. By Stephen Raja Compared to many countries around the world, I believe the lock-down has helped keep the number of […]
Tanzania volunteer Marsha Dixon served in Ipalamwa, Tanzania in January 2020 on her first service program with Global Volunteers. She wrote this poem on Ipalamwa and her worries now that the world is facing a pandemic. Her hope is that our futures are filled with more human connection. By Marsha Dixon Ipalamwa It is through […]
Three-time volunteer Jim Gorski describes his yearning to learn about other cultures, and go beyond tourist attractions to understand how ordinary people around the world live. Here, Jim reflects on Global Volunteers’ Philosophy of Service and how it affords people the opportunity to make a real contribution to local communities and enriches the volunteer experience. […]
Global Volunteers 2020
2020