20-time alumni Steve Fox is a retired teacher from Washington State who participated on his first Global Volunteers program in Minnesota in 2003. 15 years later, as a retiree and octogenarian, Steve has contributed 1360 hours of service on 20 service programs worldwide. Here he shares his reflections on volunteering in retirement. (pictured here with […]
Tanzania medical volunteers help children and their families in a fully modern and functional clinic, funded by a multi-year family foundation grant arranged by a Global Volunteer alumnus. The Ipalamwa General Clinic (IGC) serves five rural communities in the Ukwega Ward, and stands as the centerpiece of the Ukwega Ward Reaching Children’s Potential (RCP) Demonstration […]
To travel in a purposeful, meaningful way is to enrich your life and the lives of others. You dig deeper, stretch farther, give larger. You discover and learn new things about the world and yourself. You leave a positive mark on the communities you visit and the environments you explore. Meaningful travel is being aware of […]
Summer Family Volunteering in Peru – Sydney Hill and her new friends in Alto Progreso. The teens shared an interest in soccer. The children welcomed hugs and games just as kids everywhere do. Neighbors worked together to build a stairway for safety and access on the steep cliff. At the conclusion of their two-week project, they […]
There are so many reasons to volunteer in 2017. Much has been written and studied about the value of volunteerism in the community and to the individual. Some claim that people who volunteer live longer, happier lives. Or, is it rather that happy, healthy people volunteer more? It may not matter which way is which. […]
Of the many similarities between the U.S. and Cuba, one of the more serious social problems we share is the historical racial divide between black and white citizens. The Creole, African, and Spanish descendants who have, over six centuries, built a rich and soulful Cuban culture, don’t share the same economic and educational opportunities on the island equally. […]
Every day, you choose how you impact the world. When you contribute your energy and knowledge on a Global Volunteers team, your efforts become part of others’ success. You can be exactly what local people need – by assisting them on projects that define their future. Are you up for this kind of impact? This […]
Global Volunteer, Michelle, reports on creative ways to engage students in learning English when teaching in India. After dropping Steve and Barbee at Assisi Illam, Jennifer and I headed back to Christ the King School for a second day with the 4th and 5th graders. We built on the animal teams and team slogans created on […]
Two University English Instructors in Querétaro, Mexico made a point to express their gratitude to our recent volunteer team. In case you think you can’t make a difference by teaching English in Mexico as a volunteer, please read on, and then talk to a volunteer coordinator: “Our countries and people must be closer.” I would really […]
Evan loves volunteering with Global Volunteers: she has done it 20 times. Twelve of those service programs were in Romania, where she has dedicated most of her time to helping children at an orphanage. Evan just finished a service program at PPA, a children’s home in Peru. While she was serving, she talked about her experience and […]