Twenty years ago, Kimberly Haley Coleman was stuck abroad on business weekends, wanting to volunteer but finding nothing meaningful to do. So she created her own opportunities—and Globe Aware was born.
Today, Globe Aware connects volunteers with communities in 21 countries through week-long service projects. We're talking about real work: installing concrete floors in Guatemala, assembling wheelchairs in Cambodia, building stoves that actually vent smoke out of homes.
In our conversation, Kimberly shared something that didn't surprise me. Volunteers consistently tell her they received more from the experience than they gave. There's something about showing up, working alongside families, and seeing their daily reality that writing a check simply can't replicate.
These aren't luxury trips. You're staying in modest accommodations, eating local food, and getting your hands dirty. But families come home fundamentally changed in how they see the world.
As Kimberly puts it, "There's no check you can write that can do that to a kid's brain."
If you've been thinking about meaningful travel or want to show your family a bigger world, this episode offers a completely different way to think about vacation time. You could even revisit a few places through new eyes and opportunities. Think Machu Picchu, Transylvania, Thailand, Cuba, Mexico, Vietnam, the Philippines, and the Galapagos Islands.
Links from this episode:
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.