• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
  • e-Catalog
  • Gift Catalog
  • Donate
  • Register Now
  • Contact Us
Call Us: 800-487-1074
Global Volunteers
  • Countries
    • International Partnerships:
      • China
      • Cook Islands
      • Cuba
      • Ecuador
      • Greece
      • Italy (Sicily)
      • Nepal
      • Peru
      • Poland
      • Portugal
      • St Lucia
      • Tanzania
      • Vietnam
    • USA Programs:
      • Aguadilla – Puerto Rico
      • Blackfeet Reservation – Montana
      • Española – New Mexico
      • Rio Grande Valley – Texas
  • Projects
    • Community Work Projects
      • Delivering Essential Services
      • Teaching Conversational English
      • Supporting Community Development
      • Supplementing School-Based Curricula
      • View All Community Work Projects
  • Dates & Fees
    • Seasonal
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Winter
    • Monthly
      • January
      • February
      • March
      • April
      • May
      • June
      • July
      • August
      • September
      • October
      • November
      • December
      • All Service Program Dates
  • Give
    • Giving Options:
      • Donate Now
      • Changemakers Club
      • Gift Catalog
      • Ways to Give
      • Philanthropy
  • Impact
  • News
  • Request Information
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
Volunteer Voices

Working With Our Hands is Spiritual Work, Says First-Time Global Volunteer

Global Volunteers of all ages and from all walks of life have worked on meaningful labor projects around the world – helping rehabilitate dilapidated homes, classrooms and other community buildings. One first-time Global Volunteer recalls her joyful team experience helping to restore former coal company homes – despite her inexperience with construction.


Construction Volunteer Projects - Restore Homes

 

Journal from Monday, August 21, 2017:

I was a little worried when I found out our first day of serving would be construction volunteer projects. My manual labor skills are… lacking, to say the least. Nevertheless, I packed my peanut butter sandwich and hopped in the van, hoping they would find me somewhat useful.

Once we arrived on the site, my lack of experience seemed trivial. The leader, Jim, patiently coached me and my teammates through our first time ever laying drywall. He didn’t seem at all fazed by our struggle with what I’m sure, for him, is an easy task and additionally was by no means pressed for time.

As the day progressed, the work became secondary to bonding with the locals and sharing stories. It wasn’t about getting the drywall done and going home, which for so many of us is the rhythm of our work days. The emphasis of the day was to work together, but rather than to work together to simply achieve a task, it was to work together to achieve a mutual understanding. It was genuinely inspiring to hear where these people, the same age as me, have come from and how, through hard work, they are reclaiming their futures.

By the time 4 o’clock rolled around, the work day was over; it was almost hard to leave. I walked away tired, grateful, and in awe that people as strong and resilient as B-More and Renee exist!

Construction Volunteer Projects Worldwide

Volunteers are always needed to help with construction projects in the Cook Islands, Cuba, Ecuador, Peru, St. Lucia, Tanzania, and on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. and Rosebud Indian Reservation.

Volunteers Provide Hands-On Help While Sampling New Culture

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Pocket
September 13, 2017/by Global Volunteers
Tags: Labor projects
https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Construction-Volunteer-Projects-in-West-Virginia.jpg 1125 1500 Global Volunteers https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2014-GlobalVolunteersLogo-Web.png Global Volunteers2017-09-13 15:53:492022-02-20 17:24:50Working With Our Hands is Spiritual Work, Says First-Time Global Volunteer
You might also like
Sweet Memories of Ecuador
Hands-on learning through service in Costa RicaForest Trails for Hands-on Learning
Building Walls and FriendshipBuilding Walls and Friendship
summer day at PPAFirst Volunteers Give Freely, Are Thanked Warmly
summer day at PPAGallery of Labor Projects in Anse la Raye
best volunteer programs in South America“Look mom! That’s my hand!”
A Different Holiday StoryA Different Holiday Story in Peru
summer day at PPAChristmas in Peru
0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Partner Communities

  • China (62)
  • Cook Islands (44)
  • Cuba (112)
  • Ecuador (89)
  • Greece (70)
  • Italy (52)
  • Montana (50)
  • Nepal (19)
  • New Mexico (2)
  • Peru (110)
  • Poland (97)
  • Portugal (44)
  • Puerto Rico (2)
  • South Dakota (8)
  • St Lucia (56)
  • Tanzania (230)
  • Texas (5)
  • Vietnam (33)

Categories

  • Classroom Assistance (7)
  • Conversational English (93)
  • Cultures and Traditions (136)
  • Development Impact (121)
  • Family Volunteering (61)
  • Free Time Options (79)
  • Group Volunteering (19)
  • News and Updates (146)
  • Partners' Stories (16)
  • Projects for Professionals (23)
  • Reaching Children's Potential (236)
  • Ripple Effect (7)
  • Service-Learning (49)
  • Staff Worldwide (25)
  • Volunteer Voices (683)
  • Why I Give (18)

Tags

American Indian culture Care for children Caribbean island College groups Conversational English Cuba people-to-people development impact Earthbox gardens Essential Services food insecurity Funding your fee gender equality Health and nutrition High school groups Labor projects retiree volunteers Spring break student volunteer summer volunteer program support children Support women teaching children teaching english team leader things to do peru top places to visit peru tourism cook islands tours peru travel peru volunteer benefits Volunteer impact volunteer time off work on reservations Work with youth youth volunteering

Get Global Volunteers News Here!

Enter your email address to receive fresh new posts in your inbox.

  • About Us
  • Boards of Directors and Advisors
  • US and International Staff
  • Our Beginnings
  • Our Vision
  • Community Partners
  • Collaborators
  • Compare Us
  • Volunteer Vacations FAQs
  • Accountability and Agreements
  • Travel Risks
  • Impact and Outcomes of Service
  • Donate to Global Volunteers
  • Donate to a Volunteer
  • Money Matters – Explaining Your Service Program Contribution
  • Discounts & Fundraising
  • Alumni Center
  • Covid-19 Policy
  • News/Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Agreements
  • Site Map
  • Contact
  • Podcast
  • Volunteer Portal
  • Employment
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.

Global Volunteers - Partners in Development ® | © Copyright 2002 - Present Global Volunteers
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
  • Global Volunteers is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization. Our tax ID is 36-3352680. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent provided by the law.
  • Send feedback about this web site and its administration.
Montana Volunteer: “A Decision I’ll Never Regret and a Journey I’ll...Montana Volunteer with Global VolunteersTanzania Volunteers with Global VolunteersSuggestions to Future Tanzania Volunteers – from a Member of Team #1
Scroll to top