Hello Happiness Seekers!
The Best Summer Start - NCSU in Thailand!
What a great way to start the summer! A team of energetic NCSU student volunteers recently traveled to Thailand to support our Globe Aware project site in the Hill Tribes community.
The group began by leveling a field and pouring cement to build a new athletics hub, under the guidance of Coordinator Thak. This sports center ensures that over 200 children will now have a dedicated space for football, volleyball, and badminton. They dug up and leveled the ground and mixed and poured cement! By the end of the week they even installed volleyball poles and played inaugural games alongside the kids!
Beyond the sports field, the volunteers worked on a second initiative: constructing a mushroom house. Teamwork took center stage as everyone pitched in, even the young beneficiaries, to unload and place substrate bags inside the structure. This addition becomes a vital asset for the local sustainable farming program, designed to provide four to six months of fresh food to keep the children fed and meet a constant, long-term need.
Our volunteers also spent plenty of time talking, playing, and building friendships with the children. For those who have experienced the trauma of conflict and displacement, this kind of companionship and play is essential. The NCSU students provided genuine warmth and connection, which was met with open arms by children who were incredibly eager to bond. This connection extended from playing outdoors to spending quiet hours together in the reading room, where sharing stories offered the children a vital sense of safety and normalcy.
To round out their journey, the volunteers took time to explore local Thai culture outside of their service work. Their cultural excursions included exploring a nearby cave and having their fortunes told, capping off an unforgettable experience of service and discovery. They also spent a memorable day interacting with elephants at a local sanctuary.
The Best Summer Start - NCSU in Thailand! Cont.
Here's what our group of students' had to share about their experience!
"Outside of the projects themselves, one of the most meaningful parts of this experience was getting to immerse myself in a completely new environment and culture. Whether we were working on projects, playing games with the kids, buildng connections with one another, or exploring different parts of Thailand, every day pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best ways possible.” — Godiya Mangai
"This hands-on environment allowed me to explore my passion for education through an entirely new lens, seeing firsthand how community support and interactive learning impact a child's growth. Alongside our service, we had the opportunity to immerse ourselves in Thai culture through a variety of local activities. Our group hiked to Buddhist temples in Chiang Mai, ate traditional Thai food, explored night markets, and even visited an elephant sanctuary! A huge thanks to Globe Aware for this opportunity…" — Paige McCullough
"Our team helped tear down and rebuild a mushroom house to support mushroom cultivation, which will feed over 200 children for the next 6 months, and we also assisted in creating a new recreational court for children in the community to use and enjoy. This experience was deeply meaningful because it allowed me to learn through service, collaboration, and cultural exchange. I am especially grateful for the moments of connection throughout the week: working alongside my team, learning from the community, and spending time with the children at the site. This trip reminded me that service is not only about completing a project, but also about listening, building." — Daisy Pace
“This May, I had the opportunity to travel to Chiang Dao, Thailand, to participate alongside an incredible team in the May 2025 Alternative Service Break with North Carolina State University. Participating in these projects was incredibly meaningful, as it allowed me to collaborate with others in a hands-on environment and learn more about the local community. I especially enjoyed spending time with the people at the site and getting to play with and connect with the children there.” - Riley Baker
Experiential learning trips like these build leadership, empathy, and cultural awareness through meaningful service. Book your student group’s summer adventure today!
Learn More About Globe Aware's Thailand Hill Tribes Program
A Bhutanese Spring
A recent week in Bhutan offered two volunteers, Jonah and Tobey, a profound blend of hard work, cultural immersion, and breathtaking exploration.
Upon arrival, Coordinator Rinchen welcomed the pair with traditional milk tea, providing a warm introduction to Bhutanese hospitality before they transitioned into their service. Once at the Thinleygang Temple worksite, the duo threw themselves into what some could consider grueling labor.
Although the physical demands were significant, the volunteers met them with incredible energy. They cleared the area by breaking rocks and hauling heavy stones using a Dotha, a traditional wooden carrying frame. Experiencing this firsthand was a humbling reminder of the grueling labor locals perform daily, allowing the volunteers to truly connect with the spirit of the land.
When not volunteering, the duo explored the region's stunning landscapes and spiritual history, these are just some of the highlights:
- Nature & Wildlife: They took to the trails for hiking, even spotting local deer. They also visited the Takin Preserve Centre to see the national animal.
- Historic Sites: A scenic hike led to Druk Wangditse Lhakhang for quiet reflection, while a visit to the majestic Punakha Dzong showcased one of the country's most historic fortresses.
- Spiritual Icons: They stood before the massive Buddha Dordenma and participated in a local cooking lesson to experience Bhutanese flavors firsthand.
The journey included a unique visit to an all-female Buddhist monastery in Punakha, a monastic college for over 100 practitioners. The volunteers spent a memorable afternoon offering alms and learning about the nuns' spiritual dedication.
The trip ended with the legendary trek to Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Reaching the temple, perched high on a cliffside, was the perfect finish to a journey defined by community, hard work, and wonder.
Learn More About Globe Aware's Bhutan Program
Helping Hands in Guatemala
Volunteers Deepak and Bella recently traveled to Guatemala, where they participated in a week of cultural immersion and community service. Their time was spent working alongside Coordinator Anne and local families, gaining a deeper understanding of the traditions and daily lives of the people living there.
One of the highlights for Deepak and Bella was participating in a traditional tortilla-making class. Guided by local experts, they learned the precision required to hand-press and cook tortillas over an open flame. They also spent time in the local jungle gardens, assisting with the harvest of seasonal fruits used by the community.
In addition to these cultural exchanges, the pair focused on mixing and pouring cement to install a hygienic floor for a family in need. Replacing dirt floors with cement is a primary focus of the program, as it significantly reduces health risks and provides a safer living environment.
Deepak and Bella also spent time at the local center, where they led arts and crafts sessions with the children. These activities provided a creative outlet for the students and allowed the volunteers to build genuine connections through play and artistic expression.
Deepak and Bella’s experience reflects the core of the Guatemala program: a balance of meaningful labor and authentic connection.
Learn More About Globe Aware's Guatemala Program
Kenya Medical Clinic Update & Philippines Birthday Donation
The community medical clinic in rural Kenya is making steady progress. Following the initial groundbreaking, the structure is now rising from its foundations. As shown in the recent photos, the structural walls are being erected, transforming the project into a reality for the 20,000 people it will serve.
This facility is designed to eliminate the 20-kilometer trek many families currently face to reach the nearest hospital. Once the roof and interior are finalized, the clinic will become a hub for vaccinations, maternal care, and general medical services, providing the community with access to localized care.
Project Funding Update
As construction advances, additional support is needed to reach the finish line.
- Total Project Goal: $75,000
- Remaining Funds Needed: Approximately $31,000
Every contribution directly funds the construction materials and labor required to enclose the building and prepare it for patients. This project ensures that mothers and children in the region no longer have to wait or travel for hours to receive basic medical attention.
How to Help
To support the completion of this clinic, please visit the donation link below. Donation Title: Please label your gift "Kenya Medical Clinic" to ensure it is routed directly to this project.
Philippines Birthday Donation
Our wonderful Philippines coordinator, Gege, is celebrating her 29th birthday soon! True to her nature, she wants to mark the occasion by giving back to her community with a donation to local schools. If you’ve ever experienced a volunteer vacation with Gege, you already know how special she is. Her dedication to her community is unmatched, and she is always finding ways to uplift those around her while generously sharing her culture with volunteers.
If you would like to honor Gege’s birthday and help fund school supplies for local students, please click the link below and label your gift "Gege's Bday."
Note on Processing: PayPal and credit card payments include a 3.9% processing fee. This is automatically added to your total, so you may adjust your donation amount accordingly if you wish to cap your contribution.
Beyond Borders - Podcasts
The Shift from Traditional Tourism to Purpose-Driven Travel
Service vacations are rapidly transforming the global travel landscape, shifting tourism away from passive sightseeing toward purpose-driven experiences that create real impact. Today’s travelers are seeking deeper connections, cultural immersion, and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the communities they visit—making meaningful tourism the new standard.
Lessons from Volunteering: Growth Through Cultural Immersion
How does serving abroad actually change you? In our latest episode, Greg Thomson, CEO of Projects Abroad, explains how volunteering pushes us to adapt, listen, and learn across different cultures. It’s all about humility, resilience, and becoming a better global citizen.
Sages of Industry-Give Back & Foster Business for World Good
In this episode, Lynne Brodie speaks with Kimberly Haley-Coleman about building a business and nonprofit model around meaningful short-term international service. The conversation begins with Kimberly’s background and then moves into the origin of Globe Aware: a practical response to the fact that many adults want to serve abroad but cannot leave their jobs, families, or responsibilities for six to eight weeks at a time.
The Outdoorsy Educator – Where Travel, Education & Adventure Meet
In this episode of The Outdoorsy Educator, host Alasdair Green speaks with Kimberly Haley-Coleman, founder of Globe Aware, about the powerful intersection of travel, education, cultural immersion, and meaningful human connection. The conversation explores how thoughtfully designed international volunteer programs can move beyond traditional tourism to create transformative experiences that foster empathy, global citizenship, cultural humility, and personal growth.
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