UP early! Breakfast at 6:30, check-out at 7:00, 5 taxis at 7:15, and onto an 8:15 bus to Beja. We're on our way! Anticipation grew as we watched the passing countryside. After checking in at the lovely Residencial Bejense, we began orientation. More lengthy introductions were made. Our group has diverse backgrounds and experiences but all with the common thread to provide service for others. Phyllis addressed important issues with the group - What will it be for dinner - grilled fish or black pig on a stick? After lunch, she focused us on setting our goals and I think by the end of this important exercise, we were all pleased with the final product.


Dinner was great - a wonderful variety of meats, fish, and salad with portions big enough for everyone to taste and share. Before heading off to sleep some of us toured each other's rooms. Each one is quaint and unique in its own way. BUT did you know that Marcia and Janice have not one but two balconies? One in the sleeping area and one in the bathroom - very chic! I'm sure we all fell asleep excited to meet the teachers on Monday, learning our assignments and getting started on the mission that brought us to Beja.

Boa
noite.

Beja Portugal an enchanted city

Saturday was the day that everyone made their way to the Trype Oriente. Some had been in Lisbon for a few days and the rest arrived throughout the day. After settling in, some took walks while others rode the cable cars and took tours. At a lovely buffet dinner, we officially briefly introduced ourselves. What a well represented group! From the east coast to the west, from the northern Midwest to Texas and all the way to Hawaii…and an experienced GV group as well. I'm anxious to see what the tally of years adds up to. Not many lasted long after dinner since we had an early rising in the morning.

Full Team Currently Serving in Beja!

We are happy to share that a team filled to capacity is currently serving in Beja, Portugal! Based on the huge demand for volunteer opportunities in Portugal in recent months, our staff and volunteer team leader are investigating new community partnerships in order to offer greater service opportunities in the months and years to come.

Please read about our Portugal program below to see if this might be the right volunteer opportunity for you, and work project updates will surely be coming soon:

On the European continent's Iberian Peninsula, overlooking the Atlantic, Portugal ascended to the status of World Power during the "Age of Discovery," only to lose most of its wealth through subsequent foreign attacks. Overcoming recession and political instability, the country emerged in 1140 as the first nation-state (independent kingdom) in Western Europe, and has remained unified in language and culture.

Today, Portugal is a European leader and founding member of NATO, OECD, and EFTA. As a Global Volunteer, you experience Portugal through her people as a teacher of youth and adults in Beja's classrooms and municipal learning centers.

As in all of Europe, English is becoming an increasingly important tool in Portugal, and few opportunities exist for local people to learn from native English speakers in non-tourist areas of the country. You'll work either in elementary and secondary schools, or with young adults in technical or trades schools. Each year, more and more classrooms are requesting volunteers as important student resources. This program has become an inspired people-to-people demonstration of international sharing and unity!

Please note, personal flexibility and good mobility is requisite in this location due to the conditions in some educational facilities.


We hope to hear from you soon!!

Humanitarian Airfare Opportunity

If you're seeking great deals on airfare for a service program later this year or in 2012, check out Fly For Good where you can receive excellent discounts when you travel as a volunteer. Simply contact your Volunteer Coordinator today to learn more about this excellent opportunity (you will need to get an official letter from Global Volunteers to qualify for certain deals)!!

Fly For Good website: http://www.flyforgood.com/

We look forward to speaking with you soon!

Call toll free (800) 487-1074.

Amazing YouTube Video Produced by Former Volunteer!!

We at Global Volunteers are privileged to work with so many wonderful volunteers, partners, and supporters each and every day.

Last week, one particular volunteer, Graham, truly knocked our socks off when he shared a 9-part video series he had created about Global Volunteers and posted on YouTube!! These videos feature the travels and experiences of numerous Global Volunteers (particularly one tight-knit group from New Jersey) and we welcome you to take a look at these exceptional videos by using the link below.


Thank you, Graham!! And for the rest of you... ENJOY!!


Global Volunteer Retrospective Video (Introduction): http://www.youtube.com/user/endlessmug#p/u/41/CYK8kbGZYV8

Festival during Spring Volunteer Team!!

For those of you serving in Beja this April/May, we're happy to announce that the Ovibeja festival will be occurring in early May!!

Please click on the following link to learn more (or at least to peek around the website, as it is in Portugese!!) - http://www.ovibeja.com/

If you are interested in volunteering in Portugal later this year, don't hesitate to give us a call!! We have a volunteer team scheduled for September 24 - October 8 and we would love to welcome you to Beja!

For more details visit our website or call (800) 487 - 1074 today!

Meet Joe Testa!!

Pictured: Students in Beja


Considering a service program in Portugal??? Chances are, your team leader will be Mr. Joe Testa! Please read below to learn more about Joe and his varied experiences with Global Volunteers!!

Joe Testa has over 30 team leader experiences under his belt. He says he really enjoys doing what he does for a lot of reasons. He likes that it provides him the opportunity to experience parts of the world that he otherwise might not visit. He also likes getting to know the people and the cultures in the communities he serves. "In a short period of time I make quite a few friends," he said. "Under normal circumstances it would take me quite a bit longer to do that."

Joe is quick to add that another benefit of participating on a Global Volunteers' team is getting to know the team members. "I think we're a unique group of people who care about what's going on in the world and who try to contribute as best as we can," he said. "We're in a feel-good business. When you finish a program, you feel good about the fact that you've given up your time and expertise to help someone in need. That is a very good feeling."

Although Joe says all his teams have been good ones, one sticks out in his mind. "I led a team of volunteers to Vietnam," he said. "At the end of our program we were invited to attend a final celebration. We were in a van, so we couldn't see much along the way, but when we stepped out, we were amazed. There was a path of students, teachers and other school staff that were lined up to let us know how grateful they were for what we had done. We were overwhelmed by the number of people who wanted to thank us. It was pretty incredible. Sometimes we might think we're not doing that much, but in the eyes of the people in the community it's a lot more than we realized."

Joe acknowledges that he and his teams have contributed quite a bit over the years, but says there's so much more to be done. "What we do speaks well for our country and it empowers other people to improve their lifestyle," he said. "What we do works, and it works well. But we will always need more volunteers because the need is greater than what we can supply. I'm sure we there are many other locations we could help, if we had more volunteers."

Joe's advice to a volunteer on how to get the most out of a Global Volunteers program is often stated by team leaders. "Have an open mind and be flexible," he said. "Always expect the unexpected. Don't be quick to evaluate. Take it all in, and think about it, and make your decision about your experience after you get home."

When not leading teams, Joe lives in Canandaigua (The Chosen Place), New York. He is an avid runner who participates in marathons and triathlons. He also likes skiing, boating and an occasional game of golf.

"Joe was wonderful! He added so much to the trip! Much of my enjoyment of the experience related to his upbeat attitude. He was efficient, fun, funny, flexible and a wonderful leader." ~ Lynn Winters Gross, Mexico Volunteer

"Joe is awesome! He doesn't make himself seem like he can't do any of the work because he's the leader. He gets right in there and helps like one of the team members. I know some of us team members were tough on him and he would just laugh and smile and joke right back with us. He is a wonderful team person and an awesome team leader -- he did everything he needed to, and more."
~ Bridget Shanahan, USA Volunteer

"Joe Testa is an excellent team leader. He is enthusiastic, keeps everyone informed, consults regularly with the team and is not afraid to make decisions."
~ Judith Ebert, Mexico Volunteer