In this episode of the Globe Aware Podcast, intern Santiago López sits down with volunteer Maggie. She shares captivating stories from her journeys, whether it’s helping communities, building homes in Kenya, or caring for wildlife in the Galápagos Islands, and offers heartfelt insights on what it truly means to give back.
Galapagos
The Binky Patrol Podcast, All Volunteer, All Heart
25 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.
Dr. Drew’s audio blog from Globe Aware’s Thailand Hill Tribes location
Dr. Drew, a retired orthodontist and seasoned Globe Aware volunteer, has already made an impact in Cusco, Peru, and the Galápagos—now, he’s at our Hill Tribes location, just across the border from Myanmar. From there, he’s gearing up for our Philippines program! What makes his experience extraordinary? He’s providing much-needed dental care for local children, just as he did in Peru. (If you’re not in dental field, your work activity will differ.) But that’s not all—he’s sharing firsthand insights on accommodations, local cuisine, cultural immersion on day one, and even how he handled a credit card hiccup when his primary card wasn’t accepted.
Dr. Drew’s audio blog from Globe Aware’s Thailand Hill Tribes location
Dr. Drew, a retired orthodontist and seasoned Globe Aware volunteer, has already made an impact in Cusco, Peru, and the Galápagos—now, he’s at our Hill Tribes location, just across the border from Myanmar. From there, he’s gearing up for our Philippines program! What makes his experience extraordinary? He’s providing much-needed dental care for local children, just as he did in Peru. (If you’re not in dental field, your work activity will differ.) But that’s not all—he’s sharing firsthand insights on accommodations, local cuisine, cultural immersion on day one, and even how he handled a credit card hiccup when his primary card wasn’t accepted.
Dr. Drew’s audio blog from Globe Aware’s Thailand Hill Tribes location
Dr. Drew, a retired orthodontist and seasoned Globe Aware volunteer, has already made an impact in Cusco, Peru, and the Galápagos—now, he’s at our Hill Tribes location, just across the border from Myanmar. From there, he’s gearing up for our Philippines program! What makes his experience extraordinary? He’s providing much-needed dental care for local children, just as he did in Peru. (If you’re not in dental field, your work activity will differ.) But that’s not all—he’s sharing firsthand insights on accommodations, local cuisine, cultural immersion on day one, and even how he handled a credit card hiccup when his primary card wasn’t accepted.
Dr. Drew’s daily audio blog from our Thailand Hill Tribes location
Dr. Drew, a retired orthodontist and seasoned Globe Aware volunteer, has already made an impact in Cusco, Peru, and the Galápagos—now, he’s at our Hill Tribes location, just across the border from Myanmar. From there, he’s gearing up for our Philippines program! What makes his experience extraordinary? He’s providing much-needed dental care for local children, just as he did in Peru. (If you’re not in dental field, your work activity will differ.) But that’s not all—he’s sharing firsthand insights on accommodations, local cuisine, cultural immersion on day one, and even how he handled a credit card hiccup when his primary card wasn’t accepted.
Dr. Drew’s daily audio blog from our Thailand Hill Tribes location
Dr. Drew, a retired orthodontist and seasoned Globe Aware volunteer, has already made an impact in Cusco, Peru, and the Galápagos—now, he’s at our Hill Tribes location, just across the border from Myanmar. From there, he’s gearing up for our Philippines program! What makes his experience extraordinary? He’s providing much-needed dental care for local children, just as he did in Peru. (If you’re not in dental field, your work activity will differ.) But that’s not all—he’s sharing firsthand insights on accommodations, local cuisine, cultural immersion on day one, and even how he handled a credit card hiccup when his primary card wasn’t accepted. Oh, and did we mention the massive earthquake that shook Myanmar and Thailand the very next day? He felt it—tune in to hear what that was like!
25 Best Places to Visit in South America
What an impressive list! Globe Aware volunteers, we have plenty of program destinations included—check them out for your next volunteer vacation!
25 Best Places to Visit in South America
By Amanda Ogle
March 13, 2025
Travel + Leisure
As a full-time travel writer, work has taken me across South America, from mysterious Machu Picchu and strikingly beautiful Patagonia to sprawling vineyards beneath the Andes Mountains and bustling capital cities such as Lima, Santiago, and Buenos Aires. Whether you want to see wildlife in the lush Amazon, idle away on a remote beach, or explore metropolitan cities, South America has it all.
Dr. Drew’s audio blog from Globe Aware’s Thailand Hill Tribes location
Dr. Drew, a retired orthodontist and seasoned Globe Aware volunteer, has already made an impact in Cusco, Peru, and the Galápagos—now, he’s at our Hill Tribes location, just across the border from Myanmar. From there, he’s gearing up for our Philippines program! What makes his experience extraordinary? He’s providing much-needed dental care for local children, just as he did in Peru. (If you’re not in dental field, your work activity will differ.) But that’s not all—he’s sharing firsthand insights on accommodations, local cuisine, cultural immersion on day one, and even how he handled a credit card hiccup when his primary card wasn’t accepted.
Giving Back in Paradise: Your Ultimate Galapagos Guide
Most Globe Aware Galápagos Islands Conservation volunteers will be assigned to Marine Sea Turtle Nesting Monitoring. Please keep in mind that Turtle Nest Monitoring will involve extensive walking for miles on sandy terrain under the hot sun. You may also need to work during early mornings or late nights.
