Tim Cunniff and Keith Kresge are Global Volunteers “veterans.” Between them, they’ve served on 44 programs in 18 different countries – from Tanzania to the Cook Islands. Despite the obvious contrasts between these societies, they say one truth is common to all: People are more alike than different on a basic-needs level. But, how people […]
Seventeen determined Medtronic employees joined a March team in Quito, Ecuador for a week of service and bonding. Pouring their hearts, skills, and strength into their assignments, the women helped paint the exterior of the two-story early childhood development center, tiled the dining room, and cared for the 80 children alongside the center’s teachers. The […]
Every Global Volunteer team keeps a daily journal of work projects, insights, and lessons to document their own experience in the partner community. In these team journal excerpts, volunteers describe the hand-in-hand effort to make a difference alongside local people on the Blackfeet Reservation of Montana. Monday, September 3: We Spread Out on Community […]
Rosebud Reservation volunteers share their team journal about Lakota culture on a South Dakota service program. Day Two in Rosebud – Yard Work After yesterday’s orientation, we arose today in anticipation of the work assignment. We headed out and gathered any tools we could find for the day ahead. We worked outside of a home […]
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. Journal from […]
As a Montana volunteer, you serve and experience life on an American Indian reservation – the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Jimmy describes the projects he worked on as well as reflects on the journey he took while making the decision on whether or not to serve. With meaningful friendships and breathtaking views, it’s easy to see […]
Yvonne has served 10 times with Global Volunteers and is currently serving in Peru. As a retired nurse, one might think that she is the one in charge of looking after people in every community she serves at. But that is not the case. She works on labor projects; she always works on labor projects. As […]
Ethical volunteer vacations combine purposeful service with cultural travel – to the ultimate benefit of local children and families. Global Volunteers meets 10 of 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in structuring programs respecting and assisting local people who invite our volunteers into their communities. Our philosophy of service requires serving where we’ve been invited, working […]
Ecuador Country Manager Maggie Bjorklund describes opportunities to help children in Ecuador with Global Volunteers. In the gorgeous Andes Mountains of Ecuador, South America, Global Volunteers partners with the Foundation of Ladies of Calderón, a non-profit organization that runs two daycare centers on the margin of the city of Quito for disadvantaged families in the […]
A unique butterfly garden highlights our work in Costa Rica! You’re needed to help plant native species that attract butterflies, build walkways, lay gravel, and landscape the garden. Costa Rica’s Astounding Biodiversity While Costa Rica covers a mere 0.03% of the Earth’s land surface, it contains nearly 5% of all of the species of flora […]