Say Yes To Life
Spreading Holiday Cheer in Guatemala
What a magical way to celebrate Christmas! At the community Christmas party in Guatemala, the holiday spirit came alive with paper snowball fights, caroling, and even a piñata-breaking celebration. Returning volunteer Eric Kandell, along with his family and fellow volunteer Sara, made the week extra special.
Eric stepped into the role of Santa Claus, bringing joy and laughter to the children, while his three kids created festive masterpieces with face painting. Together, they helped make the party a heartwarming experience for everyone.
Spreading Holiday Cheer in Guatemala Cont.
Beyond the festivities, the family embraced hands-on volunteering, from making cement floors to sharing meals with local families. Here's what Eric had to say about their time in Guatemala:
"I loved working with the kids at the Christmas community party and doing floors. Everything was great, as always! The best part was cement-making and eating with the local families. The accommodations were wonderful, Ann is wonderful, and you guys are the best!"
But the adventure didn’t stop there. They explored local culture and nature, as Sara shared:
"Got a chance to learn about local permaculture and tortilla-making (harder than it looks!), toured the Tikal ruins, and zip-lined through the jungle with monkeys all around. Also got our hands dirty. Thanks to Globe Aware for another great trip!"
This unforgettable week reminds us of the joy that comes from giving back and celebrating together. What better way to celebrate Christmas than with love, laughter, and community spirit?
Learn more about Globe Aware's Guatemala program
Escaping the Cold: Barbara’s Tropical Volunteer Adventure in Cuba
Kicking off her New Year with a warm and meaningful escape, our wonderful returning volunteer, Barbara, spent a tropical volunteer vacation week in Cuba! With the support of coordinators Jorge and Patricia, she settled in beautifully, explored the vibrant streets of Havana, and contributed to impactful work at our project sites.
Barbara’s journey took her to the breathtaking Viñales Valley, where she immersed herself in Cuba’s natural and cultural beauty. She enjoyed horseback riding through the picturesque valley, admired the colorful Viñales Mural de la Prehistoria, and visited a local farm cultivating tobacco and coffee. While savoring a cup of freshly brewed local coffee, Barbara listened as the farmer shared fascinating insights into the area’s rich culture and traditional farming practices.
Escaping the Cold: Barbara’s Tropical Volunteer Adventure in Cuba Cont.
Back in Havana, Barbara joined our coordinators on a creative and meaningful project. She toured a nearby settlement, noting its challenges, including a dilapidated playground. Inspired by the community’s needs, she learned the value of small contributions in creating lasting change.
Barbara’s hands-on efforts included making seats out of recycled tires and planting yucca, all while building connections with the local community. Another project involved volunteer Barbara assisting with the refurbishment of a charming older house in the Fusterlandia neighborhood. She was fortunate enough to meet its creator, José Fuster! The Cuban artist transformed Fusterlandia, a lively neighborhood in Havana, into an outdoor art gallery. The buildings and streets are covered in colorful mosaics and murals, giving the area a whimsical vibe.
“I worked on three projects and felt I made a difference with each one. I loved my hosts. They taught me so much about all aspects of Cuban life, government, agriculture, landscape, etc. Plus, they were fun to be around, smart, hardworking, and passionate about current issues. They worked hard to make sure that I had fun and was able to try everything! I even got my hair cut by a barber working out of his house!
I loved the food. There was so much, especially at breakfast. I honestly enjoyed every bite. I loved everything. My room was quite nice and very clean and felt safe. I enjoyed meeting the other guests staying there.” - Barbara Delaney
From exploring Cuba’s vibrant landscapes to contributing to meaningful projects, Barbara’s tropical volunteer adventure was truly inspiring!
Learn more about Globe Aware's Cuba program
An Unforgettable Bike Adventure in Mexico
As Featured in National Geographic!
Did you know you can explore the breathtaking Camino del Mayab by bike? Our project location offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cycle through lush jungles, take refreshing dips in vibrant cenotes, and uncover the rich history of stunning haciendas. Whether you’re riding solo or with friends, our friendly and knowledgeable coordinators are there to guide you every step of the way. This extraordinary biking experience is the perfect way to elevate your volunteer vacation. Ask us about biking the trail when planning your adventure week!
Project Site Updates: Remember Tzacala and Muycuyche? A few years ago, volunteers contributed to the restoration of these two haciendas. One has been transformed into a multipurpose center in Tzacala, hosting events and offering workshops. The other, in Muycuyche, now serves as a tourist hub and community kitchen. You can see videos on our YouTube Channel!
Have you watched Blink Twice yet? Volunteers in our Mexico program might recognize these photos of the breathtaking location featured in the 2024 film starring Zoe Kravitz and Channing Tatum. During your trail adventures, you could even visit this hidden gem and see the magic for yourself!
Learn more about Globe Aware's Mexico program
Sharing the love in Costa Rica, a perfect couple's week!
Our volunteering couple, had this to share about their recent week in the Orosi Valley.
"We got to do a significant amount of cultural immersion and exchange with the local community: understand their way of life, and values, participate in their traditions (tamales on Christmas, for example), eat in family members' homes every day, and share our perspectives with them. We could see where our program fees were going, to improve the local community (construction materials, to families who were hosting us for meals, etc). We worked on a project that was right-sized for our small group of 2 people (building tables at a local community center) and were able to see the results at the end.
We were able to have enough personal downtime to process our experiences within the community, especially with a small group of 2. Accommodations were good. There was enough space, we enjoyed being able to have coffee and snacks in the kitchen and try local Costa Rican cooking. Some of the things we liked best were the cultural exchange and project work, a leisure trip to local hot springs, and our coordinator, Federico!
Federico was great. He spent a lot of time with us communicating what to expect and soliciting our feedback for how to get the most out of our time in Orosi Valley. He did lots of translation. We also tried using our limited Spanish to interact, as well as using apps like Google Translate to carry on direct conversations." - Keith Torluemke
Learn more about Globe Aware's Orosi Valley program
How Love is Celebrated Around the World!
Each country has its own global Valentine’s Day practices, as well as unique cultural traditions that celebrate expressions of love.
India: Though relatively new, Valentine’s Day has become quite popular among young couples in urban areas. People exchange cards, gifts, chocolates, and roses to express their love.
Karva Chauth is a traditional festival observed by married Hindu women, who fast from sunrise to moonrise for the well-being and longevity of their husbands. It is a celebration of marital love and commitment.
Vietnam: Similar to Western traditions, couples exchange flowers, chocolates, and gifts. Men usually give roses, while women might present handmade gifts or heartfelt letters. It's followed by White Day, on March 14th, where men return the favor to women who gifted them a month earlier. Popular among the youth, it emphasizes reciprocity in romantic gestures.
Thailand: Couples exchange flowers and gifts. Bangkok’s flower markets brim with red roses. Popular spots like the Temple of Love (Trimurti Shrine) attract singles and couples seeking blessings for love. Although not tied to Valentine's Day, the Loy Krathong Festival (November)is deeply romantic. Couples float decorated baskets ( krathongs) on rivers, symbolizing love, forgiveness, and shared wishes for the future.
Philippines: The Philippines holds large-scale mass weddings sponsored by local governments, allowing couples to wed on Valentine’s Day. It’s a celebration of love and unity for both couples and the community.
Pabigkas ng Harana (Love Serenades), inspired by traditional Filipino courtship, men serenade their partners with love songs. While modernized, this gesture remains a romantic way to express affection.
