GVN Press Center

GVN's Media Team writes and places articles about volunteer experiences, socially-conscious travel, the issues that affect people in disadvantaged communities and the fight for a more just and equitable world.

Everyday, thousands of people around the world give up their time, money and comfort level to volunteer in a community in need far from their own homes. Not prompted by fame or fortune, their efforts and generosity are astounding and noteworthy, and can be taken as an individual protest against a global current of hopelessness, despair, inequality, greed, racism and xenophobia.

As world leaders and economic policies continue to divide the world between the haves and the have-nots, people are realizing that volunteering gives them a voice to remind other communities that they have not been forgotten. In the process, they're proving that the act of volunteering, of taking on a responsibility for humankind, of declaring that a stranger has the basic and fundamental right to a life free of suffering, is incomparable to any other gesture.

It is our belief that through raising awareness about the plight of others, we can slowly turn the tide and empower individuals and communities to work toward a better world.

To read the GVN Story, follow this link.

Recent Articles

American Idol Gives Back

by Sue Avison
What would she say to those who have some doubts about volunteering? "Don't let the 'oh buts' put you off". She recommends that you find out how you can make the best of the things that concern you. "It's worth the risk and the challenge for the experience. It's way, way worth it. You know what it's like, the more risk you take, the greater the experience. Life is full of risk." > More

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

by Sue Avison
"The day I saw how the children's black and shiny hair was ruined by lice, their innocent faces frowning from the scratching and itching, that was the day I decided that I would shave off my hair so that they could keep theirs." > More

Eyes From Ethiopia

by Sue Avison
"Yet despite the challenges these children face on a daily basis, Kate found them a real delight. "They were just wonderful children with bright smiles all the time. They embraced life. They were an inspiration really."" > More

Every Step Counts

by Lauren McMahon
"An inspiring tale of how two women, one a volunteer and one a marathon runner, join forces to ensure disabled children at an orphanage in Vietnam receive the medical treatment they desperately need." > More

Articles Published in Other Outlets

Almost $15,000 raised for Kenya shelter, > The Peterborough Examiner, April 30, 2009
Fleur Visiting Orphanage as Part of African Odyssey, > The Geelong Advertiser, November 25, 2008
Adventure of a Lifetime, > The Geelong Advertiser, November 25, 2008
LFHS graduate poised to provide help to impoverished Philippines, > Pioneer Local, August 12, 2008
Local resident will spend six weeks helping orphans, > Pioneer Local, July 22, 2008
Trip to Mount Everest will fulfill lifelong dream, > Atlanta Journal Constitution, May 18, 2008
Volunteering: a new way of travel > Waikato Times April 25, 2008
Beanie There Done That >Dominion Post, April 25, 2008
Charity pair take raising funds to icy extremes > Dominion Post, January 9, 2008
Annandale to Kenya and back > Fairfax County Times, December 12, 2007
Korean-American Crowned Ms. America > The Seoul Times, Nov 8, 2007
Ask Bill Gates The Microsoft co-founder and leading philanthropist answers selected reader questions in this exclusive NEWSWEEK forum > Newsweek Web Exclusive, Oct 10, 2007
Volunteering - Difficult, demanding but no regrets > Extraordinary Lives, Volume 3, Issue 10 2007 (PDF)
A Mighty Heart > Time for Kids
Russian Reflections: More than just a "holiday" > Edwards Magazine
Notes on NZ Mammals - NZ Fur Seals at Turakirae Head > PDF
Travel With A Challenge > Travel With A Challenge
Aid Worker's Foray Into Little Liberia: > SBS Radio (5 July 2006)
UNH students take time to work with orphans in Kenya: > Portsmouth Herald (29 December 2005)
Couple remembers relief work in India: > Times Herald-Record (26 December 2005)
SJA Graduate Wants To Make World A Better Place To Live > Caledonian Record (26 August 2005)
The Inspirational People of Romania and Why Humanitarian Volunteering is Such a Worthwhile Thing to Do!: > One World One People (23 September 2003)

For Journalists

If you are writing a story about GVN, please see our Media Fact Sheet for quick information about our organization and details on find out how to reference GVN in writing.

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