Turning Vacations Into Meaningful Global Impact: Globe Aware, volunteer vacations on the HeartBeet Farms Podcast
Travel can be more than sightseeing and souvenir shopping. For a growing number of travelers, it's about connection, contribution, and cultural understanding. That idea is at the heart of a recent episode of the HeartBeet Farms podcast featuring Kimberly Haley-Coleman, founder and Executive Director of Globe Aware.
Kimberly shares how what began as a moment of awareness while traveling abroad for work grew into a global nonprofit now operating in 26 countries, connecting everyday people with short-term international volunteer programs. Through Globe Aware, individuals, families, and groups move beyond traditional tourism to work alongside local communities on projects that support housing, food security, education, conservation, and accessibility initiatives.
As discussed on the podcast, Globe Aware's approach to ethical volunteer travel centers on mutual learning and cultural exchange - ensuring the experience is meaningful for both volunteers and host communities. Many participants return home feeling more connected, more grateful, and inspired to make a difference locally as well as globally.
This HeartBeet Farms episode highlights how purpose-driven travel is redefining what it means to explore the world - and why service-based travel continues to change lives on both sides of the journey.
