When Did the Term “Volunteer” Start?

Have you ever wondered where the concept of volunteering actually comes from? Today, giving our time to help others feels like a natural part of a compassionate society. But 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.

Inside the Episode: Global Service & Industry Tidbits

In this exciting new episode, we connect with our peers to view service through a global lens. Featuring insights from the International Volunteer Programs Association (IVPA), an industry umbrella organization dedicated to promoting quality and responsibility in international volunteering, this conversation is packed with eye-opening history and industry tidbits.

The episode features Ross Muri, who shares fascinating perspectives on what it means to serve ethically and effectively in the modern world, with a special focus on meaningful service projects in South Africa.

Ready to Make an Impact? Volunteer in Cape Town!

Learning about the history of volunteering is just the beginning—the real magic happens when you become a part of its future.

If you’ve been dreaming of a way to give back while experiencing a brand-new culture, you don’t need months of free time to make a difference. You can join a fully immersive, ethically managed volunteer vacation for just a single week.

Why Choose a Cape Town Volunteer Vacation?

• Short-Term, High-Impact: Perfect for working professionals or students with limited schedules.
• Community-Led Projects: Work directly on initiatives that support local needs, from youth development to educational support.
• Explore South Africa: Experience the breathtaking beauty of Cape Town, from Table Mountain to the stunning coastline, all while doing good.

The post The Surprising History of Volunteering appeared first on Volunteer Vacations Blog.

TAILS OF HOPE – Season 3, Episode 11

Guest: Kimberly Haley-Coleman
Founder, Globe Aware | Social Entrepreneur | Founder of The Tickle Bar

What if changing the world begins not with saving people—but with learning from them?

What if meaningful service is less about charity and more about connection, dignity, and mutual respect?

In this inspiring episode of Tails of Hope, we welcome Kimberly Haley-Coleman, founder of Globe Aware, an internationally recognized organization that has spent more than 25 years creating transformative global service experiences in over 26 countries.

Rather than sending volunteers to “help,” Kimberly built a model centered on partnership, cultural exchange, and community-led impact—creating connection, not dependency.

In this thought-provoking conversation, Kimberly shares lessons from decades of working alongside communities across the globe.

Together, we explore:

•  Why listening is often more powerful than leading
•  The difference between helping people and empowering communities
•  How travel can deepen compassion and broaden perspectives
•  The importance of dignity in humanitarian work
•  What true global citizenship looks like
•  How service transforms both volunteers and local communities
•  The role of curiosity in building human connection

Kimberly also reflects on leadership, cultural understanding, and the experiences that have shaped her unique approach tocreating positive change.

Imagine a world where people travel not just to see places, but to build relationships.

Imagine communities and visitors working together,learning from one another, and creating sustainable impact.

Kimberly’s journey demonstrates that lasting changeoften grows from collaboration, respect, and shared purpose. Her philosophy challenges us to rethink service—not as something we do for others, but as something we do with others.

Beyond Globe Aware, Kimberly’s entrepreneurial spirit has also led her to create The Tickle Bar, a venture focused on helping people relax, reconnect, and experience joy through thoughtfully designed sensory experiences.

If this conversation resonates with you:

•  Share this episode with fellow travellers, changemakers, and social entrepreneurs
•  Seek opportunities that promote dignity and partnership
•  Explore ways to engage with communities through meaningful service
•  Support initiatives that create sustainable impact
•  Subscribe to Tails of Hope and join our community of compassionate changemakers

Because every meaningful connection matters.

• Every culture has wisdom to share.
• And every act of service has the power to transformlives.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Kimberly Haley-Coleman is the founder of GlobeAware, a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultural exchange, community-led development, and sustainable global service. Under her leadership, Globe Awarehas operated programs in more than 26 countries and works in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations.

She is also the creator of The Tickle Bar and a passionate advocate for experiences that foster connection, well-being, and understanding. Through her work, Kimberly continues to inspire people around the world to engage more deeply with communities, cultures, and the shared human experience.

The post Globe Aware built on partnership, cultural exchange and community-led impact appeared first on Volunteer Vacations Blog.

May 31, 2026 – 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 corporate executive to social impact entrepreneur, building a platform where travelers can immerse themselves in service projects around the globe while gaining life-changing perspectives.

We dive into the ethics of short-term volunteer trips, how Globe Aware ensures dignity and sustainability for host communities, and why cross-cultural experiences are more critical than ever. Kimberly also talks about the future of responsible travel, corporate social responsibility, and the rise of purpose-driven work.

Whether you’ve dreamed of giving back abroad or you’re curious about the power of service to bridge cultural divides, this episode offers both inspiration and insight into global good done right.

Hit play and explore:

• The unexpected journey that sparked Globe Aware and turned vacation time into global service
• Why “voluntourism” isn’t a dirty word and how it can be done ethically and impactfully
• Behind-the-scenes of building trust in communities from Ghana to Guatemala and many other beautiful places
• How Kimberly balances logistics, culture, and compassion in one-week missions
• The big lessons in purpose-driven travel and how you can change a life (including your own) in just 7 days

If you’re passionate about cultural connection, hands-on service, and making a real impact abroad, this episode will leave you inspired to travel with purpose and serve with heart.

The post How Volunteer Vacations Create Lasting Global Impact appeared first on Volunteer Vacations Blog.

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. On the latest episode of Humanism Now, the discussion highlighted a profound truth about our species: it is truly amazing how enduring humans can be with their willingness to look for good. To explore this capacity for compassionate change, the podcast welcomed Kimberly Haley-Coleman, founder and executive director of Globe Aware, a nonprofit building ethical, community-led volunteer service programs across more than 25 countries.

A major focus of the conversation centered on what ethical volunteering actually looks like in practice. Haley-Coleman explained how locally led, community-designed programs stand in stark contrast to traditional voluntourism. When projects are directed by local residents, the dynamic shifts from charity to true collaboration. Rolling up your sleeves and engaging in this kind of shared work breaks down cultural assumptions faster than almost anything else, building genuine cross-cultural empathy through mutual dignity and curiosity.

The discussion also addressed how grassroots organizations are responding to sweeping foreign aid cuts. Haley-Coleman shared inspiring insights into what resilience looks like on the ground, proving that localized networks and ethical volunteer partnerships are more critical than ever. 

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Travel with Purpose: Volunteer Travel & Impactful Adventures with Kimberly Haley-Coleman – 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.

Redefining “Volunteer Travel”: Partnership vs. Saviorism

Kimberly doesn’t shy away from the tough questions. She explains that ethical, impactful travel is about partnership, not saviorism. The goal isn’t to “fix” communities, but to support locally driven initiatives in a sustainable way.

Green Flags for Ethical Volunteer Programs

• Community-Led: Projects are directed by local needs, not short-term optics.
• Mutual Exchange: Cultural learning goes both ways.
• Transparency: Clear visibility into where your time and financial contributions go.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

• Volunteer-Centric: Programs that prioritize the traveler’s “feel-good” experience over actual community benefit.
• Lack of Follow-Through: One-off projects with no long-term sustainability or local relationships.

What a Globe Aware Service Trip Actually Looks Like

What does a week of voluntourism look like in practice? Imagine landing in a destination like Peru or Costa Rica, being welcomed by a local community, and immediately diving into meaningful work.

Depending on the destination, you might:

• Help build essential infrastructure like schools or housing.
• Support vital environmental and conservation efforts.
• Work side-by-side with locals on community-driven initiatives.

Good to know: You don’t need special skills or a second language to participate. You just need an open mind and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone.

Balancing Impact and Adventure

You won’t be working 24/7. Globe Aware programs typically dedicate about 30 hours a week to service, leaving plenty of free time to explore, experience the local culinary scene, and enjoy the sights. It’s not about sacrificing your vacation, it’s about enhancing it.

Who is Purpose-Driven Travel For?

Short answer: Almost everyone. Globe Aware trips are carefully structured and vetted for safety, making them ideal for:

• Solo Travelers looking for genuine local connection.
• Families wanting a meaningful shared bonding experience.
• Students seeking global perspective before entering the workforce.
• Corporate Teams aiming to build a purpose-driven culture.

Practical Tips for Your First Service Trip

If you’re ready to pack your bags, keep these three tips from Kimberly in mind:

1. Check your expectations: Go in with humility and a desire to learn rather than teach.
2. Focus on presence over expertise: Your willingness to show up and work matters far more than specific technical skills.
3. Shift your mindset: Move from asking “What can I get from this trip?” to “What can I learn and contribute?”

Get $100 Off Your First Globe Aware Trip!

Ready to travel differently? We’ve partnered with Globe Aware to help you experience one-week service adventures in incredible destinations like Peru, Costa Rica, Cambodia, and beyond.

If you are ready for an unforgettable journey that combines impact and adventure, we want to help you get started:

How to claim your discount: Email the thetravelbrats@gmail.com with the subject line “GLOBE AWARE TRIP”, and they will send  you an exclusive code for $100 off your first booking.

The post Volunteer Travel: Impactful Adventures That Change Lives appeared first on Volunteer Vacations Blog.

The Outdoorsy Educator – Where Travel, Education & Adventure Meet

In this episode of The Outdoorsy Educator, host Alasdair Green speaks with Kimberly Haley-Coleman, founder of Globe Aware, about the powerful intersection of travel, education, cultural immersion, and meaningful human connection. The conversation explores how thoughtfully designed international volunteer programs can move beyond traditional tourism to create transformative experiences that foster empathy, global citizenship, cultural humility, and personal growth.

Kimberly shares how Globe Aware’s community-led programs around the world give travelers a rare opportunity to engage directly with local communities, offering a “front-row seat” into everyday life across cultures while encouraging deeper understanding through service and shared experience.

The post How International Volunteer Programs Move Beyond Traditional Tourism | Globe Aware appeared first on Volunteer Vacations Blog.

What happens when volunteering becomes more than just service, when it becomes a total transformation?

In the latest episode of our podcast, we dive deep into the powerful lessons that emerge through cultural immersion and meaningful volunteer engagement. Far from just “helping out,” international volunteering is an opportunity to navigate unfamiliar environments and build authentic, lasting relationships across borders.

Why Cultural Immersion Matters

Volunteering abroad is a unique catalyst for personal growth. When you step outside your comfort zone and into a new community, you aren’t just a visitor; you are a student of the world. This episode explores how these experiences:

• Challenge Assumptions: Break down preconceived notions about different cultures.
• Deepen Empathy: Understand the day-to-day realities of global communities.
• Expand Global Awareness: Gain a first-hand perspective on our interconnected world.

Ethics and Excellence in Volunteering

This conversation was produced by our intern, Alida, on behalf of the International Volunteer Programs Association (IVPA). As the nonprofit accrediting body dedicated to promoting safe, ethical, and high-quality volunteer programs, the IVPA ensures that service work is done right.

Responsible volunteer experiences foster growth for everyone involved. It’s not just about the impact on the community—it’s about the humility, adaptability, and cross-cultural competence that the volunteer carries home with them.

The post Lessons From Volunteering: How Cultural Immersion Inspires Personal Growth | Globe Aware appeared first on Volunteer Vacations Blog.

May 12, 2026 – Sages of Industry-Give Back & Foster Business for World Good

The episode explores how thoughtfully designed short-term international service and ethical volunteer travel can offer a meaningful alternative to ordinary tourism. The conversation focuses on the growth of short-term volunteer travel, why many adults and families are seeking more purposeful travel experiences, and how culturally immersive service programs can create perspective shifts, human connection, and experiential learning. A major theme is the importance of ethical program design — including community-led projects, working alongside local communities as equals, and avoiding more superficial forms of voluntourism. The discussion also examines why these experiences resonate not only with students, but increasingly with families, companies, and multigenerational groups looking for deeper engagement, cross-cultural understanding, and shared experiences with lasting impact.

Kimberly Haley-Coleman the founder and executive director of Globe Aware, a US- and Canada-based nonprofit that organizes short-term international volunteer programs. Globe Aware works in more than 25 countries, serves individuals as well as family, school, church, and corporate groups, and is built around cultural awareness, sustainability, and working side-by-side with communities “as equals.”

Episode Summary
In this episode, Lynne Brodie speaks with Kimberly Haley-Coleman about building a business and nonprofit model around meaningful short-term international service. The conversation begins with Kimberly’s background and then moves into the origin of Globe Aware: a practical response to the fact that many adults want to serve abroad but cannot leave their jobs, families, or responsibilities for six to eight weeks at a time. From there, the episode explores how Globe Aware created a more accessible model for service travel without losing depth, cultural immersion, or meaningful contribution. Globe Aware is a structured, short-term, community-oriented service model designed for adults, families, and groups.

A major theme in the episode is that the experience is not just about helping others. Kimberly emphasizes perspective change, human connection, and what happens when people step outside routine, screens, and comfort zones to work alongside others in a very different environment. The conversation repeatedly frames service travel as experiential learning: something that changes how participants see their own lives, habits, assumptions, and possibilities.

The episode also addresses ethical questions directly. Kimberly distinguishes Globe Aware’s model from more superficial or extractive forms of voluntourism by stressing local leadership, community-driven projects, dignity, and the importance of working with people rather than “for” them in a top-down way.

Another strong thread in the episode is applicability for families, companies, and multigenerational groups. Kimberly talks about who participates, why employers are increasingly open to supporting these experiences, and how shared service can build gratitude, engagement, and perspective in ways that typical travel does not. Globe Aware’s trips are for families, schools, and corporate groups, and recent interviews describe them as powerful for team building, leadership development, and cross-cultural learning.

Key Takeaways

• Globe Aware was built around practical insight: many people want to serve internationally, but most cannot commit to traditional long-form volunteer models.
• The episode presents short-term service travel as a serious alternative to ordinary tourism when it is structured well and rooted in local partnership.
• Kimberly frames the experience as mutual: communities’ benefit, but participants are also changed by the work, the relationships, and the exposure to another way of living.
• Ethical design matters. A recurring point is that projects should be locally guided, dignity-centered, and genuinely useful.
• The conversation highlights families, companies, and older adults as meaningful participants in this kind of work, not just students or gap-year travelers.
• One of the clearest messages in the episode is that connection matters as much as contribution. The value is not only in what gets built or delivered, but in what gets understood.

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Why Service Vacations Are Redefining Meaningful Tourism

With CEO Kimberly Haley-Coleman

The Shift from Traditional Tourism to Purpose-Driven Travel

Service vacations are rapidly transforming the global travel landscape, shifting tourism away from passive sightseeing toward purpose-driven experiences that create real impact. Today’s travelers are seeking deeper connections, cultural immersion, and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the communities they visit—making meaningful tourism the new standard.

The Rise of Meaningful Travel Experiences

Kimberly Haley-Coleman, Founder and CEO of Globe Aware, breaks down one of the most important shifts in travel today: the move from passive tourism to purpose-driven service vacations. What began as a personal frustration with the lack of short-term, meaningful ways to engage abroad turned into a global organization connecting travelers with community-led projects across more than 25 countries. In this episode, we get into why traditional tourism—and even “voluntourism”—often falls short, what most people misunderstand about serving abroad, and why these experiences are less about helping and more about learning. Kimberly shares how stepping into a community with humility, not a savior mindset, leads to deeper cultural understanding and lasting personal impact. If you’ve ever felt like typical travel is missing something, or wondered how to experience the world in a more meaningful way—this episode will challenge how you think about going abroad.

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Globe Aware · Volunteer Vacations

Globe Aware · Volunteer Vacations

One Week.
A Lifetime
of Impact.

Deep in Guatemala’s Petén rainforest, beside the shimmering waters of Lake Petén Itzá, Globe Aware’s “Giving Guatemala” program is changing lives — including yours.

Explore the Program →

$1,837 All-inclusive program fee

7 Days Sunday to Saturday

Tikal Ancient Mayan wonder nearby

Globe Aware Adventures in Service Volunteer Travel · Guatemala Program

What if your next vacation left the world measurably better than you found it? Globe Aware’s Guatemala program does exactly that — pairing you with local families and community projects in one of Central America’s most spectacular, and most overlooked, corners.

Guatemala is a country of staggering contrasts. Ancient Mayan temples rise above jungle canopies at Tikal. Volcanic peaks mirror themselves in highland lakes. Colorful markets burst with handwoven textiles. And yet, beneath this beauty, many Guatemalan communities face persistent poverty, low literacy rates, and limited access to clean water and sanitation. Globe Aware’s “Giving Guatemala” program plants volunteers right in the heart of this reality — not as observers, but as neighbors working side by side.

Where You’ll Be

The program is based around Lake Petén Itzá, a jewel-blue lake deep in the Petén region of northern Guatemala, within a biological rainforest reserve. The setting is extraordinary: howler monkeys call from the canopy at dawn, bioluminescent organisms glow in the lake at night, and butterflies fill the air during dry season. You’ll stay in a rustic lakeside hotel or, for those who want to upgrade, a full resort right on the water — complete with kayaks, hammocks, and stunning sunsets.

The nearby town of Flores and the world-famous Tikal National Park are both within easy reach, meaning this is very much a vacation alongside the volunteering — one of the most beautiful you’ll ever take.

The work projects we did directly impacted the community. I could see the benefit almost immediately.

— Globe Aware Guatemala Volunteer

The Work That Matters

Globe Aware’s philosophy is simple: communities know what they need. Every project is chosen by the locals themselves. The signature activity in Guatemala is installing cement floors in the homes of impoverished families. This may not sound glamorous, but the impact is profound — children crawling and sleeping on dirt floors are at serious risk for intestinal parasites and other diseases. A single cement floor changes a family’s health outcomes for decades.

Community Projects

Cement Floor Installation

Replace dirt floors in homes of families living in poverty, protecting children from parasites and illness.

Community Library

Work alongside children at the local library, supporting literacy in a region with some of the lowest reading rates in the world.

After-School Enrichment

Teach and engage children aged 5–12 from underprivileged homes through an afternoon enrichment program.

Women’s Garden Project

Help local women’s groups establish home gardens, introducing fresh vegetables into carbohydrate-heavy diets.

Forest Garden

Transform land at the Women’s Center — once planted with corn — into a productive forest garden.

English Pronunciation

Help students and teachers who have learned to write English but not speak it, practicing real conversation skills.

No special skills are required for any of these projects. Globe Aware coordinators lay the groundwork before you arrive, accompany you throughout the week, and adapt the project load to volunteers’ varying abilities. If something feels like too much — or too little — you’re encouraged to say so.

What’s Included

At $1,837 per person, the base program fee covers a week of accommodation, all breakfasts and dinners (plus most other meals), on-site transportation, medical insurance, emergency evacuation coverage, donations to community projects, and full volunteer coordination. As a registered U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Globe Aware’s program costs are also tax-deductible for American volunteers — including your airfare.

At a Glance

• Program Duration 7 days (Sun–Sat)
• Base Cost $1,837/person
• Location Lake Petén Itzá, Guatemala
• Nearest Airport Mundo Maya International (FRS), Flores
• Solo Room Add-on +$75 (budget) or +$570 (resort)
• Skills Required None — all are welcome
• Tax Deductible Yes (U.S. volunteers)

Culture, Food & Free Time

Globe Aware programs are never just about the work. Meals include chicken tamales with black bean salad, fresh local whitefish, rice, beans, and plenty of tropical fruit — always with meat, vegetarian, and vegan options. Special dinners are often hosted by the very families for whom volunteers have installed floors, creating moments of genuine connection across language and culture.

Optional cultural activities include tortilla-making classes, a Mayan flute concert, butterfly reserve visits, jungle herb walks with a local herbalist, and backstrap loom weaving. A boat tour to Flores and a visit to the town zoo and museum round out the options. And of course, there’s the jewel of the region: Tikal National Park, one of the greatest Mayan archaeological sites in the world, where towering temples emerge above the jungle canopy in scenes that feel genuinely cinematic.

Who Should Go?

Globe Aware’s Guatemala program welcomes solo travelers, families, couples, corporate groups, church and school groups, and retirees. The organization has experience running programs for groups from 5 to 500 participants, and the Guatemala project in particular has drawn volunteers from across the full age spectrum. If you’re wondering whether you’re “the type” to do this — you probably are.

Globe Aware has no religious or political affiliation. It works with communities as equals, not as aid providers, which means the experience never feels patronizing or performative. After decades of operation and thousands of volunteers sent around the world, their model is tested, trusted, and genuinely impactful.

Ready to Give Guatemala?

Trips depart weekly. Browse available dates and reserve your spot with a 50% deposit.

View Upcoming Trips

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