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.
Student volunteer Josh Elkin describes his experience serving at Sagrada Familia in Peru while learning about himself and from local people. At the age of 18, he sought out a volunteer experience that would present him with challenges and help him to achieve a perspective beyond that of his home and normal routine. Here, he […]
The spirit of Valentines Day is evident to Global Volunteers all year around – all around the world. These reports – in the words of our team members – tell of the human sentiments that can’t be captured on a greeting card. The Language of Love Mark Bierbaum calls his service in Peru “a joyful […]
With a thirst for cross-cultural knowledge, octogenarian Carolyn Gallaher joined her third service program with Global Volunteers in hope to uncover the true heart of Crete. She soon learned she wouldn’t be disappointed. Carolyn was grateful to work on a variety of service projects that put her in direct contact with Greeks of all ages, […]
After quitting her job, Anna O’Neal embarked on four months of solo travel to figure out what she wanted to do next in her life. In her choice to travel solo to Tanzania, she joined our Global Volunteer team in Ipalamwa, Tanzania to help mothers and children. She said she sought an opportunity to challenge […]
Veteran volunteer and team leader Sue Surma paused at the start of the new year to reflect on how her 28 service programs have changed her life. In her look back, she says Global Volunteers provides a world context that ensures her gratitude and enriches her understanding of the world. “When I am asked what […]
Alumna Carol McNertney’s “second act” began with her students’ suggestion to expand her horizons. She writes how a promise to them led her on a true journey of the “heart” in her retirement – first to Montana, then to the Cook Islands. By Carol McNertney, Global Volunteers Alumna The Promise Everyone who commits to volunteering […]
Global Volunteer Linda Roberts has served six different partner communities since 2015, and has no plans to slow down. The Florida retiree, who says “volunteering adds purpose to her life,” last served in Anse la Raye, St. Lucia, helping the community plant 94 EarthBoxes in two weeks! She shares her journal entry describing how their […]
Two-time Global Volunteer Pastor Debbie Michaels says she journeyed to Nepal “to make the world a better place.” She has some experience with that. With her focus on retreat ministry occupationally, her “com-passion” was evident as a Tanzania volunteer in 2016, and again recently in Kathmandu. Always a seeker, Debbie admits she was uncertain what […]
Seven–time Global Volunteer and Colorado retiree Rene Moquin employed his legendary optimism and enthusiasm to captivate students at Nguyen Binh Khiem School (NBK) in Hanoi, Vietnam. Through skits, music and personal charm, he urges them to “dream of new possibilities.” In these journal entries, Rene reflects on his singular experience and offers personal insight to […]
Longtime friends Urvi Doshi and Suma Putcha have always been involved as volunteers within their local community in Allen, Texas. Then they decided they wanted to broaden their own and their teenage daughters’ horizons by volunteering internationally. Urvi and Maya (age 17) and Suma and Avani (age 18) spent a week serving with Global Volunteers […]