This isn’t charity. It’s connection.
A Home Reborn for Easter in the Philippines
This April, volunteers ranging from children to seniors built a safe home for a local family. The project focused on more than manual labor; by getting to know the family, the team turned the construction site into a hub for community connection. This effort resulted in the completion of the house, where volunteers left handprints on the walls as a tribute and exchanged letters with the family to mark the beginning of a new chapter.
There is also nothing quite like the smell of fresh bread to bring people together. Working alongside local students and teachers, Emma and Gelyn, the volunteers spent a day baking and distributing bread to local families. A favorite among volunteers, this activity highlights how kindness creates real connections in communities.
Volunteer Spotlight:
Age proved to be just a number as returning senior volunteer Doris celebrated her birthday during her volunteer vacation! Our coordinator, Gege, helped arrange a lovely party at a local foster home where Doris and the team shared meals with the children, painted the roof and prayer corner, and created rags for the local livelihood program. It was an incredible way to mark a special day, leaving a lasting impact on both the volunteers and the community.
A Home Reborn for Easter in the Philippines Cont.
At the end of the week, the team visited Minalungao National Park. While the scenery was beautiful, the highlight was having the beneficiary’s son join the group for his first excursion. Seeing the park through his eyes reinforced the purpose of our work. It served as a reminder that service is a balance between building tangible structures and creating lasting memories.
The team was also honored to receive official certificates from the Mayor in recognition of their dedication. A huge thank you goes out to our amazing coordinator, Gege, who managed to piece together these incredible projects while capturing the beautiful, candid moments shared by everyone.
“Thank you, Globe Aware, and especially our in-country coordinator, Gege and family, for an amazing week volunteering in the Philippines! We are so grateful for the experience and the chance to learn more about your country, its people, and its culture. And ... how fun it was to volunteer with another family, including two very young girls AND an 87-year-old great-grandmother! Doris was a real inspiration.” - Volunteer Renee Klein
“All the coordinators, including Gege, recently in the Philippines, were absolutely awesome!!! May you continue to provide stellar international volunteer programs.” - Volunteer Doris Sweet
As the local saying goes, "Palagi't lagi ay para sa Bayan,” meaning when we choose to serve, we become the hope we wish to see.
Learn More About Globe Aware's Philippines Program
They Lit Up Peru - Firefly Solar
Even with the rain, the city of Cusco has a distinctive feel. On the day of arrival, our corporate group of volunteers settled in for dinner and orientation, soaking up the unique energy of the Andes as they acclimated to the altitude.
The following day, our corporate team got "down and dirty," making major upgrades and accessibility to the kindergarten greenhouse by building a ramp and pouring and mixing cement for a new section of the playground next door. To cap off an incredible week, the team provided generous donations, including a new shirt for every child! There was high energy, hard work from our volunteers, and huge smiles from the kids.
Bonus, they also celebrated Unay's birthday, our wonderful Coordinator Rocio's son.
They concluded their volunteer work with a visit to Machu Picchu. Since Cusco is the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage site, it's an essential experience while in the region!
Peru is a top destination for our corporate volunteers. We tailor every itinerary to ensure your team makes a lasting impact while enjoying the vibrant spirit of the Andean highlands.
Learn More About Globe Aware's Machu Picchu Program
Learn More About Globe Aware's Corporate Volunteer Programs
Tech Lovers…This is for you!
Experience the wild heart of Zimbabwe through a high-tech lens. Our annual Game Count is more than just a wildlife census; it's a full-circle immersion into the Hwange community, where you'll utilize an arsenal of technology to track wildlife after dark.
Tech lovers can put "cool toys" to the test, using night-vision goggles, thermal imaging, and professional-grade cameras to capture and monitor animals that most travelers never see. While you spend time under a full moon tracking data for conservation scientists, your days are just as impactful. You'll dive into local school projects driven by the community's most pressing needs, from providing classroom support to tackling infrastructure repairs, such as replacing broken glass.
This trip happens once a year, offering a balance of tech-driven conservation and community service. Limited spots remain, and we typically sell out by early May. Grab yours before they're gone!
Learn More About Globe Aware's Zimbabwe Game Count Program
Summer Internship Opportunity
Role: Podcast Producer Intern
Location: Virtual (remote editing) or in-person (Dallas, TX, for live recordings)
Duration: Early June to Mid-August (dates flexible)
Commitment: Approx. 10 hours per week
Stipend: $500 (paid at the end of summer)
About IVPA
The International Volunteer Programs Association (IVPA) is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting ethical and responsible international volunteering. Through partnerships with reputable volunteer organizations, IVPA upholds high program standards and ensures volunteers have meaningful, culturally immersive experiences that foster global understanding. Learn more at www.volunteerinternational.org.
Internship Overview
IVPA is seeking a Podcast Producer Intern to play a pivotal role in amplifying our mission, sharing impactful stories, and engaging our audience across various digital platforms. You will work closely with the Executive Director and Social Media Manager to create compelling podcast episodes featuring interviews with returned volunteers, field coordinators, and others involved in international service.
Key Responsibilities
- Produce one podcast episode per week (5 minutes to 1 hour each)
- Conduct interviews with volunteers, field coordinators, and other stakeholders
- Edit and enhance audio content for clarity, engagement, and quality
- Develop engaging episode descriptions and promotional content for social media
- Assist in strategizing ways to grow the podcast’s reach and impact
Qualifications
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to craft clear, concise and engaging content Interest in digital marketing and experience with platforms, like Instagram and TikTok
- Currently pursuing or holding a degree in Communications, Marketing, Business, or a related field
- Highly organized, a team player, and able to manage time effectively
- Must provide own laptop and microphone (unless in Dallas, where equipment can be provided)
How to Apply
To apply, email Kimberly@globeaware.com with your résumé and a brief cover letter explaining your interest in the role
Global Conversations - Podcasts
Cultural Connection & Impact: Globe Aware’s Kimberly Haley-Coleman on Transformative Volunteer Travel (Part 2)
In the second half of this special two-part series, the Culture Encounters Podcast welcomes back Kimberly Haley-Coleman, the visionary Executive Director of the nonprofit organization Globe Aware. Host Chad dives deeper into Kimberly’s personal journey, uncovering the pivotal life experiences that inspired her to dedicate her career to international service. By sharing her story, Kimberly offers a rare look at the passion and persistence required to lead a global movement focused on genuine human connection and cultural immersion.
The Anthropos: Rethinking Travel: Sustainable Tourism, Voluntourism, and the Future of Responsible Travel
What is sustainable tourism? In the latest episode of The Anthropos: Unwavering Ecolution, the discussion turns toward the rise of regenerative travel. This movement goes beyond traditional sustainable tourism to restore and improve the destinations actively visited. The episode features an in-depth interview with Kimberly Haley-Coleman, Executive Director of Globe Aware, on the necessity of moving toward more intentional, impact-driven exploration in 2026.
Time for Impact Podcast- Redefining Volunteer Tourism
In this episode of Time for Impact, Kimberly Haley-Coleman, founder of Globe Aware, challenges traditional Volunteer Tourism, volunteer models, arguing that real impact comes from community-led solutions rather than feel-good efforts. She shares lessons from 25 years in the field—including missteps like poorly matched aid projects—and explains how ethical volunteering is shifting toward cultural sensitivity, local partnership, and sustainability. The conversation also explores the decline of the “white savior” mindset, the rise of corporate-supported service, and the lasting personal impact on volunteers, who often return home with deeper empathy and a lifelong commitment to giving back.
The Truth About Credit Card Rental Car Coverage - IVPA/Globe Aware
Renting a car soon? Watch out for the "fine print!" Most travelers think they're automatically covered, but the "fine print" can leave you stuck with a large bill, especially when traveling abroad. In this podcast episode, travel insurance expert Fiona Lally breaks down and gives you the insight on what to expect and what to avoid!
Cultural Connection & Impact Part 2
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