Stories from students, retirees, working professionals, couples, families, groups, solo travelers, first-time volunteers, volunteer veterans and everyone in-between from more than 20 countries around the world. Learn about your favorite country in their own words.
Since early 2016, Global Volunteers Crete teams have been called upon by local authorities to help meet the needs of Syrian refugees in Greece. To date, volunteers work packaging and sorting donated clothing at the port of Heraklion, and preparing filled boxes for shipping to Athens. One team’s story: More than a million refugees and migrants have traveled across […]
What a pleasure it was to meet these wonderful Cuban women everyday at the Church in Ciego de Avila. There was a beautiful bonding that took place while working on a quilting project and showing each other different techniques. I would communicate using my hands, minimal Spanish and of course, much laughter while discussing the […]
by Kathy LeNoir My favorite memories while volunteering in Ciego de Avila all include interacting with the local Cuban people. The gardeners at the community garden were just lovely. We arrived there every morning in horse-drawn carriages to friendly greetings by all of them. Andreas instructed us with our daily tasks then both serenaded us with […]
Linda Roberts, a volunteer spirited transgender (MTF) from Florida, spent a week of service in Montana with Global Volunteers. Driven by her desire to give back in a community that would appreciate her support, Linda embarked for her first service program with the organization. Upon her return, Linda says that “volunteering adds purpose to my […]
by Mary Jansiewicz Our Global Volunteers Cuba Program in February was absolutely amazing! We learned so much about Cuba and Cubans. Number one: They love Americans; everyone we met was friendly and interested in us—and, speaking of those we got to know in Sancti Spiritus, we loved them right back. Probably not surprising that Cubans like Americans, since everyone […]
by Frank Baudino I’m so glad I went on this Global Volunteers mission. I lucked out in many ways–one of which being on the painting team. I love painting and the time we spent in peoples’ houses was time spent to form relationships. The residents of the houses we painted were so very appreciative of […]
by Fran Johansen (middle-right in the photo) and her granddaughter Betz Mayer (right in the photo) A day at Villa “Cztery Pory Roku” in Zakopane dawned like most days for us with wisps of mist wrapping around mountains and promises of another wonderful day of building English language skills for the delightful students at the summer English […]
by Tom McMahon My two weeks in Cuba reminded me of the comment Churchill made of another country: “Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” That seemed to sum up the impression made on me by Cuba…the forbidden fruit of my generation, which my wandering spirit pined for over the past […]
Team Journal Entry for Friday, March 18 This was an early morning to finish our work with Jorge’s class from 8:00 till 9:30 or a little later. We placed tires and planted rooted plants in them. They still need more dirt in and around them to keep them from slipping down the hill when the […]
Team Journal Entry for Thursday, March 17 Oh my, a busy day working with the kids to finish our many projects. There was cloud cover all day, which kept the hot sun at bay. Early morning watering of the many, many painted buckets already planted with flowers and plants. Also a hustle to get the ten […]