Global Citizens Network

The Experience

Global Citizens Network (GCN) sends small teams of volunteers to rural communities around the world where the volunteers immerse themselves in the daily life of the community. Trips last one, two or three weeks, depending on the site, and each team is led by a trained GCN team leader. The team works on projects initiated by people in the local community, for the benefit of the community. Such projects could include setting up a library, teaching business skills, building a health clinic, or planting trees to reforest a village.

A unique and integral component of your experience includes daily activities of cross-cultural learning. You may test your skills making tortillas, visit a nearby tea factory or the family farm, learn a local dance, and discover the history and rich traditions of the area.

When you have the chance to learn first-hand about people from other cultures, you will feel connected to others in ways you may have never experienced before.

The Volunteer

People of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences travel with GCN. Familes are welcome to join our teams. Unlike many service expeditions, no specialized skills are required to volunteer with a GCN team; your only requirement is a desire to work cooperatively with others and a willingness to experience new cultures.

"The truly amazing thing about this community is the pride, character, and sense of respect you feel being with them. They carry themselves with esteem. Being with them, you know they will not only survive, they will succeed, collectively using the resources available to them for the good of the whole."
Joyce, Pennsylvania
Kenya volunteer

"With the beauty, the simplicity, the strength and comedy of this place, each day becomes an adventure to be anticipated."
Gladys, Ontario
Kenya volunteer

"I learned much more that GCN is about the process of building long termrelationships with communities, not necessarily about the process of"building"! It was truly priceless to be allowed to be on the 'construction site' with a bunch of indigenous people in Mexico. Tourists DO NOT get that opportunity-nor should they. We all believed WE TRULY MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS."
Diana, Colorado
2 time Mexico volunteer

"I have just this last hour arrived back home after what can only be
described as an experience of a lifetime, the people at Jampaling were wonderful and I return with a feeling of accomplishment, and everlasting respect for a group of people who work so hard with such limited resources to achieve their goals."
David, Ontario
Nepal volunteer

"As a GCN volunteer you expect to fill the role of giver, giving of your
time, efforts, money and heart. During a recent trip to Nepal, I felt morelike a wide receiver for a pro football team, with countless blessings being passed my way! It started before I even left with support from a bunch of people, some of whom I don't even know, my sponsors through fundraising."
Cherril, New York
Nepal volunteer

"A positive growing experience that will unfold as time moves on. I do appreciate the warm hospitality of the local Navajo people and thank them for all they did to open our eyes and heart to their life, culture and values."
Jerry, Minnesota
New Mexico volunteer

"It has become the most meaningful thing I've experienced in my life. It was more than a casual cultural exchange. I never felt like a tourist - I felt like I was coming home."
Ted, New York
New Mexico volunteer

"The trip to Rock Point was a wonderful experience for me. Our team really "connected" and are talking among ourselves of doing other trips together! We all agreed we haven't laughed and sung songs like we did there for a long time. The Navajo people are wonderful, and we were able to share songs, dinner with them and they with us. We were able to complete the projects they had for us and still have lots of time for culture exchange."
Lynne, California
Arizona volunteer

"My goal was to get lifted out of my personal and professional rut, to have my head and heart spun around and to land more solid and grounded. For the most part this happened."
Nancy, Vermont
Guatemala volunteer

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