YOU made 2024 amazing!
THANK YOU
VOLUNTEER VACATION SPECIAL!
THANKSGIVING IN THAILAND
This past holiday season, our large group of returning volunteers, including the kids, chose Thailand for their volunteer vacation, making Thanksgiving extra special. They painted walls to create a cheerful and welcoming environment for the Hill Tribe children, constructed a free-range chicken coop, and prepared pig feed for over 100 pigs, directly supporting the long-term goal of sustaining 200 children in the program. They also renovated protective fences and shared moments of play and learning with the children, forging connections while leaving a lasting difference.
Beyond their contributions, the volunteers immersed themselves in the natural beauty of Thailand, creating unforgettable memories. They spent a day swimming at nearby waterfalls within a national park that connected to hot springs, offering a perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. At an elephant sanctuary, they gained profound insight into the behavior and habitat of these gentle giants. By observing, feeding, and bathing the elephants, the volunteers deepened their understanding of conservation efforts and how to engage responsibly with these majestic animals. Scroll down to see what our volunteers had to say about their experiences there!
Thanksgiving in Thailand Cont.
"Our friends and family volunteer trip to Thailand was amazing and my heart is full! This was our 4th trip with Globe Aware and this program was run extremely well! We built a chicken coop for a dormitory school, painted at another school, taught English classes, and attended an area church festival. The locals taught us how to thresh rice and mix pig feed. We toured National Parks, caves, beautiful beaches, temples, and markets. We snorkeled and even bathed elephants. The food was incredible, there wasn't a single meal that I didn't love! No surprises here, but the people we met made this an unforgettable adventure. I believe five languages were spoken in the area and many of the locals/students were refugees from the Civil War in neighboring Myanmar." - Volunteer Keith Douglas.
“Thank you so much for such an incredible trip! This was one of our family's favorite trips, and these volunteer trips have been such a blessing to our family! We really felt immersed in the culture and we got a very good picture of what life is like and what is important to the people there. Our coordinators were great and did a great job of communicating. It was so impactful to hear about the work they were doing there and to meet the children and people who live there. We helped at the local school, and we were also able to build a chicken coop and see the chickens in the coop before we left the program. It was one of our best Globe Aware trips!” - Volunteers Derek & Amy Weichel
Learn more about Globe Aware's Thailand Hill Tribes Program
Updates
Being small won’t stop her!
In Costa Rica, we were joined by a wonderful family of three. They're lending a hand to build much-needed tables for the community center—an ongoing project familiar to many of our past Orosi volunteers. Even the youngest family member has been pitching in while also taking time to explore all the exciting sights around her!
She Has A Book Coming out!
Jennifer Lauren, a valued Globe Aware contributor who regularly represents our United Nations Consultative status at conferences, will release a book in 2025 about engaging youth and marginalized groups in decision-making. Inspired by youth climate protests, the book offers fresh ideas for building trust and driving change. It's perfect for students, activists, and anyone passionate about civic engagement and global cooperation.
Learn more about Globe Aware's Costa Rica, Orosi Valley Program
Global Youth Protest Climate Website
Media Updates
Beyond a Traditional Vacation Podcast
Are you considering your next trip but want more than just a vacation? In this AI-hosted podcast episode, we explore Katie Connor's thought-provoking article on volunteer travel. Learn how it can boost your career and fuel personal growth in ways a typical getaway can't.
Full Peru Video Out from Fusion Power
"The first thing that happened when we got here..."
In a previous issue, we highlighted a returning group of corporate volunteers who left a lasting mark in Peru. They transformed a schoolyard into a safer haven for children and revitalized a building to serve as a future community greenhouse. Along the way, they bonded with locals, savored Peruvian cuisine, and hiked the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu—a perfect mix of service and adventure!
You can now watch the full epic video capturing their incredible journey in majestic Peru!
Guatemala Eulogy For Dr. Enrique Fernando Chapetón Ramirez
Our hearts go out to our Guatemala Coordinator, Anne, who recently experienced the loss of a cherished loved one. We are sharing a piece of her heartfelt eulogy with our volunteers, for those who had the privilege of meeting him.
"My husband, the founder and father of Project Ixcanaan, was a man of unparalleled courage, compassion, and vision. He saw a need where others saw impossibility, and he answered it with action. Long before the clinic became a cornerstone of our community, it was just an idea, a dream he dared to make real. With nothing but determination, love, and an unshakable belief in the dignity of every human being, he began the free medical clinic. For him, it wasn’t just about treating illness; it was about restoring hope. His love for this community was as boundless as the love he had for his family." - Anne Lossing
