On December 5, 2010, United Planet will join the chorus in singing the praises of volunteers everywhere in celebration of International Volunteer Day, designated by the United Nations in 1985 to recognize the immeasurable contribution volunteers make to communities throughout the world.

Hospitals are always places of hope and pain, illness and recovery, joy and sorrow. Make it a children’s hospital, and emotions run higher and deeper. Make it a children’s hospital in a poor country — and you’ve got a place that needs help and love and commitment. We’re really pleased to be able to place [...]

I couldn’t have thought of a more fitting end for that game, or a better account of my experience here in Uganda. An experience where I feel I have made headway (scored goals) and encountered frustrations (conceded goals), with the understanding that I have at least helped to shape the game, and possibly created the environment necessary for that winning goal to be finally scored (delivering permanent and significant change).

The following post was written by United Planet volunteer Olivia McMaster, who is currently working in Ecuador. One of the most recognizable peaks on the Panamerican highway, Cotopaxi, has been calling to me ever since I arrived in Ecuador. Literally meaning “neck of the moon”, it is the world’s highest active volcano and stands at [...]

Post written by Li, United Planet’s International Programs Manager. I am happy to write about our first in-person pre-departure training for United Planet’s long-term volunteers. These volunteers will take off in August 2009 to spend six months or one year volunteering at local organizations in their host communities. Their destinations include Brazil, Colombia, Belgium, Switzerland, [...]