No Doom Scrolling Here
10/10 Volunteering in Kenya - The Drake Family
Instead of letting her kids doomscroll this summer, Bettina and her two boys, Miles and Sanders, chose to make a tangible difference in Kenya. They spent their summer break on-site helping to build a much-needed medical clinic, a vital project well underway and one we are still actively fundraising to complete.
There was no "saving villages" here. It was simply about showing up, helping out, and sharing incredible food with the community.
A core Kenya initiative is constructing homes for those in need. For their second project, they helped build a home for a family whose father had tragically passed away just a week prior, leaving the children without a proper place to sleep. Working alongside local residents, they didn't just build walls. They sat down, shared meals, and bonded. At the end of the day, it was all about connection and simply being present.
Near the end of their week, the family completely immersed themselves in the local classroom experience. From sitting at desks and learning side-by-side with the students to collaborating on group projects, they truly became part of the school community. Before leaving, Bettina and her boys delivered much-needed school supplies to the students.
Other highlights from their unforgettable journey included riding motorbikes and grilling corn. Want to hear more about their time on the ground? Check out our full interview about their experience!
10/10 Volunteering in Kenya - The Lindner Family
What does a year of making a difference look like? For the Lindner family, last summer was spent supporting sustainable farming with our Hill Tribes program in Thailand. This summer, they arrived in Kenya, lending their hands to continue building the medical clinic
Our volunteers also built a house for a man struggling with alcoholism. According to our on-the-ground Coordinator, Pius, this beneficiary's addiction had deeply strained his family dynamics; when intoxicated, he would often disrupt his 70-year-old mother's home late at night, asking to stay there. We hope this new space provides him with the stability needed for his recovery and reformation, ultimately paving the way for him to reunite with his wife.
Beyond the construction sites, the Lindners fully immersed themselves in the local community. They started their day learning the art of making traditional chapati and mandazi from scratch, sharing breakfast and stories with locals.
Later, volunteers Anna and Noah brought the energy to the schoolyard, joining local students for an unforgettable volleyball match and passing out donations. We are so proud to have the Lindner family as part of our ongoing Globe Aware journey!
This summer, families like Bettina’s and the Lindners' proved that the best way to disconnect from the digital noise and "doomscrolling" of the modern world is to reconnect with what truly matters.
By choosing to show up, roll up their sleeves, and be fully present, these parents gave their children an irreplaceable gift: the chance to build medical clinics, share traditional meals, and bond with local communities in Kenya.
If you are looking to swap screen time for an unforgettable, life-changing experience that your family will talk about for decades, Kenya is waiting.
Learn More About Globe Aware's Kenya Program
In Her Volunteering Era
Globe Aware recently welcomed volunteer Sara to the community in Peru, where her time was split between essential agricultural work and supporting the local school.
In the community greenhouse, Sara focused on the technical aspects of high-altitude farming. Her tasks included mixing nutrient-rich black soil and repairing the complex irrigation system to ensure consistent water distribution. She also prepared the land by creating furrows and transplanting seedlings, steps that are vital for the community’s food security.
Transitioning from the fields to the classroom, Sara also spent time working with local students. She assisted with lessons and spent her afternoons interacting with the children through various games.
Whether in the greenhouse or the schoolhouse, these contributions help sustain long-term development goals.
Sara’s work is a primary example of how volunteers provide the extra hands needed to keep community resources running smoothly.
Learn More About Globe Aware's Peru Program
Passport & Purpose
The Good Service Podcast: Serving the World One Week at a Time
In this episode of The Good Service Podcast, we sit down with Kimberly Haley-Coleman, the dynamic founder of Globe Aware, a nonprofit that’s transforming the world of international service through “voluntourism” volunteer tourism. Kimberly shares the inspiring journey that led her from a corporate executive to a social impact entrepreneur, building a platform where travelers can immerse themselves in service projects around the globe and gain life-changing perspectives.
Redefining Global Service: Ethical Volunteering and Human Resilience
In a world that often feels increasingly fragmented, the human capacity for empathy remains our greatest strength. In the latest episode of Humanism Now, the discussion highlighted a profound truth about our species: how enduring humans can be in their willingness to seek the good. To explore this capacity for compassionate change, the podcast welcomed Kimberly Haley-Coleman, founder and executive director of Globe Aware, a nonprofit that builds ethical, community-led volunteer service programs in more than 25 countries.
Travel with Purpose – The Travel Brats
What if your next vacation could change your perspective and someone else’s life? In this episode of The Travel Brats Podcast, Sofia and Natalie sit down with Kimberly Haley-Coleman, founder and Executive Director of Globe Aware, to explore what it really means to travel with purpose.
With over 25 years of experience leading short-term volunteer adventures in more than 25 countries, Kimberly has helped thousands of travelers turn meaningful impact into a core part of their journey. Her work has been featured on CNN, The Today Show, and The New York Times, and this conversation shows exactly why.
Globe Aware - When Did the Term "Volunteer" Start!?
The word itself has a fascinating, centuries-old history, and its original meaning might surprise you. In the latest episode of the Globe Aware Adventures in Service podcast, we dive deep into the roots of modern service. Let’s unpack the history of the word, why it was so innovative for its time, and how you can carry that legacy forward today.
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