Global Volunteers

Volunteer

Submitted by Cindy Murray - Orlando | April 17, 2018

Via Global Volunteers, I have had the privilege of volunteering and serving as a volunteer team leader with 3 service programs in Ciego de Avila, working alongside local people. The work projects vary from weeding in an organic garden cooperative to enabling local people, ages 5 to 85, to practice their English. Global Volunteers enables local people and volunteers opportunities to build friendships, make connections, and increase mutual understanding and respect for one another. Cuba is incredibly "rich," depending upon your definition of rich. The words that come to mind are culture, family, dance, music, creativity, no billboards, resourcefulness, unplugged, people working together, roosters and salsa beats serving as alarm clocks. Food is pure and fresh. People are incredibly friendly. Me gusta la gente de Cuba.

Program: Volunteer in Cuba and Build a Bridge of Friendship

My trip to Cuba

Submitted by Ellen Connally - Cleveland, Ohio United States | June 25, 2017

Overall I had a good experience, but I felt that my skills were totally under utilized. The so called "English tutoring" program involved people showing up at the Council of Churches and the volunteers standing around and in a basically helter skelter manner people connected. There were no lesson plans, grouping of people with similar skills - nothing. There were times that we had difficulty finding a place to work with our students. In my case it ended up with several volunteers to one or two students. I spent my mornings at a church were ladies gathered to do various types of needle work. Fortunately, that is something I do. I sat there and knitted and talked to the ladies and made a couple of things that hopefully they can sell to help the church. But other volunteers who had no skills in that area just sat and talked and I tried to teach them some needle work skills. But for an earlier group that had left yarn and needles we would have had no materials to work with. And it was not like we could go out and buy things. I felt that we should have been told what we were going to be doing so that we could have brought supplies. While I had a interesting experience with Global Volunteers and would not travel with them again. There were too many rules; I felt like I was in Jr. High School and not enough planning.

Program: Volunteer in Cuba and Build a Bridge of Friendship

An experience of a lifetime

Submitted by Bobbie - - | January 13, 2017

I have volunteered with Global Volunteers on eight service projects and, while it is hard to pick a favorite, Portugal is one near the top of the list. I taught English with two other adults to professors and college students who knew some English and wanted to become more confident in speaking. They were eager to learn from us and eager to share their culture with us as well. Not only did we spend two weeks together learning from one another, I am still in touch with several friends I made there. I can't say enough about the friendliness of the people of Portugal. Global Volunteers is a well run organization that works to provide a safe and enriching experience while helping others.

Program: Volunteer in Portugal. Incredible Chance to Teach English!

Share your native conversational English with Chinese English teachers

Submitted by Leon Ablon - New York United States | December 29, 2016

Working with Chinese English teachers is wonderful fun and deeply rewarding. No need to have teaching experience, just a desire to share your own interests and be open to new experiences. Far from the pollution of eastern China, Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province has a wonderful climate and a large variety of natural and cultural attractions. Part of the program is to explore some of them with your students and fellow volunteers. I've volunteered in Kunming seven times and hope to go back again.

Program: Experience the Real China – As a Volunteer Teacher

St Lucia Earthboxes

Submitted by Ron | December 27, 2016

I was a member of the 4th team to St Lucia. Myself and one other person worked on contacting sites, training locals on how to use Earthboxes and planting various vegetables with locals. We were driven to a nursery that supplied the plants, fertilizer and other gardening needs. It was very hot and humid and looked forward to cooling down in the swimming pool with other volunteers
Since this was relatively new to the locals it was hard to judge the effectiveness of this program I had heard some opposition from an element of the local population.

Program: Lift up Caribbean Kids & Moms in St. Lucia, West Indies