The Giving Traveler
Ghana is on your 2026 bucket list!
Discover the warmth and generosity of Ghana on a volunteer adventure in the lush Volta Region. Based in the friendly town of Ho, you'll work with Coordinator Robert and a local nonprofit that supports education, women's empowerment, and sustainable community projects.
Project Work
Volunteers lend a hand in classrooms, help promote women's health and entrepreneurship, and take part in hands-on activities such as bead-making, basket weaving, and kente cloth weaving. You'll share meals with local families, participate in traditional drumming and dancing, and gain insight into everyday life in rural Ghana.
Why Ghana is on your 2026 bucket list! Cont.
Leisure
When you're not volunteering, take the opportunity to enjoy the beauty and adventure that Ghana has to offer. Hike through tropical forests to reach the breathtaking Wli Waterfalls, the tallest in West Africa. Climb Adaklu Mountain for sweeping views of the countryside, or visit the Gemi Mountains for a peaceful escape. Meet playful Mona monkeys in their natural sanctuary, explore vibrant markets filled with local crafts, and relax amid the tranquil rhythm of village life. You can also visit historic landmarks like Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle to reflect on Ghana's rich and complex history, and experience the energy of Accra's cultural sites, including the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Black Star Square.
No special skills are required, just curiosity, compassion, and a spirit of adventure.
Globe Aware's Ghana program invites you to connect deeply with local communities while experiencing one of West Africa's most welcoming destinations.
Learn more about Globe Aware's Ghana Program
Cheer and Change in Guatemala - CHG
CHG had a second group of volunteers join us this year; the first group joined earlier in South Africa. This time, they headed to the colorful country of Guatemala. They immediately jumped into everything, from walking around the island town of Flores to helping with gardening projects at a local women's center.
They didn't come empty-handed either. They brought nine bags of donations packed with shoes, clothes, hygiene items, sports gear, and more. It felt like an early Christmas morning for the kids and their families, who were excited and grateful for every item. Even a simple soccer ball brought huge smiles and hours of play.
The team also helped build a cement floor for a home. One of the neighborhood kids even jumped in to help after watching the volunteers work, a small, sweet moment that stuck with everyone.
They spent one of their days exploring Tikal, wandering among the ancient temples and climbing to viewpoints overlooking the jungle canopy.
Between volunteer projects, they also enjoyed time in Flores, walking its colorful streets, taking in the lakeside views, and soaking up the relaxed island vibe. They wrapped up the week feeling a sense of connection to the community.
Cheer and Change in Guatemala - Sandy & Kyle
Sandy and her longtime friend Kyle took this year's volunteer trip with Globe Aware to Guatemala. After a long journey, they were warmly welcomed by the local community. Early in the week, they visited medical and dental clinics, stopped by the children's center where they'd later volunteer, and spent time at the women's center learning to make tortillas.
They also rolled up their sleeves for a home-building project, mixing and pouring cement to create a new floor for a woman in the community. It was tough work, but Sandy is a pro at mixing cement by now; she's developed some strong arms from similar projects in many of Globe Aware's other program locations.
One of the most memorable days was spent at a space created to support and empower local women. They took part in a Mayan ceremony, walked the farmland, and planted corn and avocado trees, one of which they named "Dos Sandras." Lunch was simple and homemade: empanadas, salad, and black beans from the garden. Later that afternoon, they returned to the children's center and spent time reading and playing games with the kids.
“Both experiences touched me deeply, and I will carry them in my heart.” - Sandy
On their final workday, they supported an organization on the edge of the Guatemalan Maya Biosphere, working to restore ecosystems and uplift local and displaced communities. Over the course of five days, they learned about the challenges of the rainforests, the benefits of native plants, and how groups are reintroducing them. After a tour, and some painting and planting, they enjoyed lunch with a healer and midwife who shared powerful stories of surviving the Guatemalan civil war.
Between volunteer projects, they explored the area, taking a boat ride on Lake Peten Itza, hiking to a lookout with wide-open views, visiting an animal preserve, and wandering the colorful streets of Flores. It was a week filled with moments that will linger long after the trip ended.
Learn more about Globe Aware's Guatemala Program
The Middle of the World! Ecuador
Volunteer Abbas sums it best when it comes to his experience in Ecuador this year, his fourth Globe Aware volunteer vacation!
"This year, the amazing Michael Tan and I journeyed to Ecuador, 'The Middle of the World,' for a week-long Globe Aware volunteer trip.
Our mission was to support the inspiring team at a community organization that runs a free soup kitchen and funds it through their restaurant and catering services.
Our project was to paint the community center and re-tile the kitchen countertops. (Let’s just say… I owe my tile-cutting education entirely to Michael!) We worked side by side, wrapped up the painting in two days, and tackled the kitchen work over the next three, with plenty of cooking, chopping, dishwashing, and laughter in between.
There was also the unexpected: a severe thunderstorm on Thursday flooded the center. Within minutes, we were moving rice, corn, and flour to higher ground to save the supplies. It was chaotic, humbling, and a vivid reminder of how fragile and yet resilient communities can be.
But the true highlight? The people. Patricio, our coordinator; Neurika and Cindy, the kitchen heroes; and Monica, who leads with heart and humor, all of them radiate warmth, strength, and optimism that’s nothing short of inspiring. Every trip leaves me a little more grateful, a little more humble, and deeply aware of the things we often take for granted.
If you’ve ever thought about volunteering abroad, I can’t recommend it enough. You’ll give your time, but gain perspective, friendship, and joy in return." - Abbas Rangwala, Ecuador, October 2025
Learn more about Globe Aware's Guatemala Program
Voices of Impact
No Skills Required!
In this episode of the Globe Aware Podcast, intern Santiago López sits down with volunteer Maggie. She shares captivating stories from her journeys, whether it’s helping communities, building homes in Kenya, or caring for wildlife in the Galápagos Islands, and offers heartfelt insights on what it truly means to give back.
How Helping Others Brings True Joy
Yollab brings together brands, creators, and communities to share insider stories and build compelling campaigns. In this episode of Yollab Central, the host talks with Kimberly Haley-Coleman, Founder of Globe Aware, about integrating social impact into brand identity, evolving online platforms for international service, and connecting travelers with meaningful, sustainable projects.
She Left Corporate America to Change the World
Tune in to the latest episode of Amplify Your Legacy, where Kimberly Haley-Coleman, Founder of Globe Aware, shares how one woman’s choice to serve transformed lives, including her own. Hear insights on the importance of ethical volunteerism, how short-term volunteer travel can create lasting global impact, and the mindset shifts behind leading with purpose. Discover how to turn your professional experience into a legacy of service through meaningful, culturally immersive programs that empower communities worldwide.
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