Donors Made My Service Possible

Last year, through the Global Volunteers website, I raised enough money for my trips to both Peru and Ecuador. The only thing I ended up paying for was my flight on both trips. How'd I do it?

I put a letter in my church bulletin and received an overwhelming amount of supplies that I was able to split between both trips for donations. I ended up bringing at least one extra suitcase on both trips filled with supplies for the children. When I signed up for the trips, I wrote a letter explaining what I was doing and why, asking for any sort of donation. I sent the letter to all my family close and extended as well as family friends, neighbors, teachers, distant relatives etc. I received an overwhelming response and received donations up until the week before I was to leave to Peru on my first trip.

I took the semester off from school last fall, and when I found Global Volunteers, it was a perfect fit. I found out about the program through a girl at my school who had done a trip to Brazil with her mother a few years ago. The fact that Global Volunteers provided me with the means to create a fundraising page was very helpful. It was perfect for me to fundraise through. Global Volunteers is the only volunteer program I found that allowed you to fully fundraise all of your costs and helped you in doing so. All other programs were much more expensive and more of a volunteer 'vacation' rather than a strictly volunteer trip.

This has been a wonderful, fulfilling memory for me. I encourage you to do it.
-Meagan Minott

Former Volunteer Posts AMAZING YouTube Videos!!

We at Global Volunteers are privileged to work with so many wonderful volunteers, partners, and supporters each and every day.

Last week, one particular volunteer, Graham, truly knocked our socks off when he shared a 9-part video series he had created about Global Volunteers and posted on YouTube!! These videos feature the travels and experiences of numerous Global Volunteers (particularly one tight-knit group from New Jersey) and we welcome you to take a look at these exceptional videos by using the link below.


Thank you, Graham!! And for the rest of you... ENJOY!!


Global Volunteer Retrospective Video (Ecuador): http://www.youtube.com/user/endlessmug#p/u/43/sufIOhS5a30

UPDATE: Volunteer Opportunity Available April 9-16!

Calling all Global Volunteers!!!

The children of Calderon need you and with the help of a few dedicated volunteers, we have been able to save our April service program dates from APRIL 9 - 16. If you are able to volunteer for one week this spring, please contact our Volunteer Coordinators as soon as possible at 800-487-1074 to discuss joining this team!!

If you're curious what you'll be working on in Calderon, Ecuador (a suburb of Quito) please read on:

The spectacular ancient Andean culture, with its haunting music, expressive dance and vibrant dress, is matched only by the enchanting landscapes and hospitable people. In Ecuador, eleven distinct cultures weave harmoniously together to unite past and present.

As a Global Volunteer, you experience Ecuador through her people...at-risk children, their families and care-givers. Extreme poverty is the reality for the children you'll serve in the Quito area, but you can help improve opportunities in these young lives. Our service program enables you to provide direct, hands-on care for pre-schoolers through an amazing grassroots organization. No matter your background, your personal efforts improve these youngsters' well-being. What's more, through your service program fee, Global Volunteers is able to purchase materials directed to the children's imminent needs.

The daily needs of the economically impoverished children we serve in Calderon, Ecuador are simple, and you represent an important resource for education, recreation and basic social development. The childcare centers built and expanded through the assistance of Global Volunteers teams provides safe and stimulating environments for mothers to leave their children so they can provide a better future for their families.

Our Ecuadorian host partner needs your help in these areas:
Childcare - infants and pre-schoolers.
Construction - a new child care facility.
Physical labor - landscaping, painting and masonry.
English language skills - informal one-on-one teaching

Please call or e-mail us TODAY if you are interested in joining us this April. Your time and skills are needed in Calderon, so why wait?!?

Calling All Prospective Ecuador Volunteers!!!

"I have felt the stress that sat in my chest from my problems with my job and family loosen over the past week, and I have been reminded that I need to count my blessings. Edith (our team leader) told us this morning to recognize the times which we are happy, instead of always feeling that our happiness is in the future or incomplete. And to name those moments by simply saying 'I am happy.' Two weeks ago I would not have been able to say that, but right now, I think I can honestly say - 'I am happy.'” ~ Cara, Ecuador Team Journal August 2009



Come and treat yourself to those moments of happiness on our Global Volunteers service program in Ecuador beginning April 2, 2011 for one or two weeks. If you are looking for a spring getaway that will leave you feeling inspired, this may be for you.

Join our development partnership in the outskirts of Quito, helping a grassroots women's cooperative organization keep their Daycare center running, and make a difference to the children and families in this impoverished area. You will be amazed by the people and the beauty of Ecuador and will have an opportunity to make a real impact on their lives - and your own. Our partners welcome families with children 8 years of age and older. I have attached further information about the work project, accommodations and free time activities. You'll find even more information, video and blogs from previous team members on our Ecuador webpage at : http://www.globalvolunteers.org/ecuador/default.asp

We just need one more volunteer to make this program a "go", so come lend your heart and your hands to this inspiring community - you'll be an important resource regardless of your background and skill level. In the words of the Mothers' Cooperative of Calderon "We send our never-ending gratitude to the many generous volunteers and the Global Volunteers directors and coordinators who work every day to make sure the children's needs are met. It's like a miracle."

Be a part of the miracle in April, or if that time frame doesn't work, we have teams starting on June 11th, July 23rd, or October 15th. Be the difference in 2011!!

Journal Entry from Fall 2010 #3!!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

This new day started out pretty much as usual with breakfast and some amazing reports from the massages the night before. Steve read his journal of Wednesday and Carl had announcements for the group.

We eventually arrived at our work destinations for the morning. At center #1, Joanne was honored with a farewell time by all of center #1 with dance and a card.

Lunch was enjoyed with fried chicken. On our walk back to work we stopped by Ceclia’s marzipan shop for some quick last minute shopping.

Carol reports doing “Five Little Monkeys” with finger puppets. By today, the children were able to do it with her. Also, she acted out the “Billy Goat Gruff” story. The children played outside for half an hour this morning on the terrace and admired the mural done by Bonnie and Jane.

When we returned from lunch the four tias were dancing (practicing for the program tomorrow). I went to the baby room but no one was there. I found the babies all in their high chairs watching the dancing.

Cora’s babies joined two older groups in the morning with dancing. In the afternoon they enjoyed watching some dogs with a dog house from the second floor.

Jane says the mural at center #2 and the baby changing table need to be finished.

Steve reports some touch up work was done on the table stands and the painted gates for the propane tanks were installed. It was a good day!

The changing table is an ongoing project for Steve, Jane, Bill and Sylvia. Bill’s highlight was working with his beautiful wife!

Carl was busy today with other business. We hurried home to get ready to go out for our farewell dinner at Café Mosaic. It was a beautiful evening looking out over the city with lights and good food.

Thought for the day: “All the fold in the world has no significance. That which is lasting are the thoughtful actions which we do for our fellow man.” – Adolpho Prieto

Submitted by Kathleen Olson

Journal Entry from Fall 2010 #2!!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

We started the day with the usual breakfast of eggs, fresh tropical fruit, freshly baked rolls with butter and jam, and lots of café con leche. The morning meeting consisted of discussion of the possible free time tours and the daily report from Steve Peterson.

The team boarded the bus at 8:30am sharp to leave for Calderon. The discussion about being prompt at the Sunday training session must have worked because this team is on time!

After picking up a ladder needed to finish the mural at center #2, Bonnie and I got straight to work. Bonnie is teaching me a thing or two about fine art skills and I am reminding Bonnie about our audience that really doesn’t care about perfection – we make a great team.

Bonnie and I felt happy to be outside painting and throughout the day we watched Kathleen scrub a rug with a broom and Janice and Joanne wash sheets with bar soap and cold water on a cement wash board.

We also watched through the window as Kathleen picked up crying baby after crying baby. Carol continued her time at the center teaching the children songs and handing out lots of hugs.

Over at center #2, table construction, or should I say reconstruction, continued. After completing several table tops, the two Steves and Bill found them to be unstable and had to make adjustments so they would be safe for the children.

Cora and Stacey were once again inside with the children, wiping noses, washing hands, and lining up for pee pee and po po trips.

Tonight, several of us are off to tour La Ronda in Old Town Quito.

Thought for the day:

“If we have the opportunity to be generous with our hearts, ourselves, we have no idea of the depth and breadth of love’s reach.” – Margaret Cho

Journal Entry from Fall 2010!!

Day 2 – 10.11.10

Today was the first official day of the work project. We began as an eager bunch enjoying another lovely breakfast from Sol de Quito. Steve began even earlier with a run around Parque Carolina, clearly this was before he realized how much energy would be necessary to make it through the day!

After our morning meeting we made our way to Calderon where we were able to tour Centers 1 & 2. The tours were a small glimpse into what was to come, some children lively and excited, others crying and already tired or hungry. Finally after Lilia’s tours we were assigned to our first work projects.

In Center 2 – Bill and Cora went with the babies. Steve P. went with the 3 & 4 year olds and I went with the 4 & 5 year olds. Fox ended up with KP duty! At Center 1 Jane and Bonnie began work on murals while Jan, Carol, Kathleen and Joanne went to work with children.

Some observations:

* The children are incredibly well behaved with the tias, less so with us.

* The tias are incredibly busy with teeth brushing, hair combing, face washing, bathroom monitoring, tear and nose wiping, feeding…all the while doing art projects, teaching songs and reading stories, yikes!

* Cocina duty looks tough and may have to be avoided.

* Fox looked incredibly busy peeling and chopping yucca and washing an endless array of dishes. Thankfully he finished the day with all of his fingers.

* Cora was able to handle 11 babies at one time with no tia and there was NO BITING!

* Steve found he had many previously unknown talents…from scaring the boys to sleep to magically repairing batman’s cape – all while supervising 13 children on his own!

* Bill, on the other hand, found a new appreciation for Jane. He is also rapidly improving his Spanish including learning all the necessary bathroom terms. However, it is not quite up to par as he lost his first contest with Sylvia!

* I learned it is true what Lily said…the children are like any other children; they want attention and hugs, lots and lots of hugs. If we do nothing else here perhaps we will be able to offer love to the children and a rest for the tias.

Happy hour and stories of the day were enjoyed before and during dinner and after dinner…I am exhausted, time for bed! Tomorrow hopefully we will hear from Center 1!

Thought of the day: “I expect to pass through this life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again” William Penn

Submitted by Stacey Peterson