University of Minnesota Student Group to Volunteer on Crete!

The University of Minnesota will be joining us for an alternative spring break this year on Crete!! We're very much looking forward to their week of service, and we encourage other univeristy groups to consider this exciting volunteer opportunity as well. Read on to learn more...

Today, students are joining our teams in greater numbers than any time in the past!

We're collaborating with universities, colleges and high schools across the country to integrate service-learning components into broad-based curricula such as:

•field experience in development and foreign aid
•direct assistance in public health and health care
•"real-world" experience in foreign language studies
•cross-cultural communication and international relations

Additionally, service programs offer the student opportunities to enhance interpersonal skills, problem-solve professional situations in an intercultural context, and enhance critical thinking skills.

Organize a group of six or more, obtain special discounts, and magnify your assistance abroad. Intact groups of six or more can join any scheduled team with spaces available. Exclusive groups of at least 12 volunteers may select non-published dates or join a formed, public team!

Contact a Volunteer Coordinator at (800) 487-1074 for more information on your 2011 student group volunteer opportunities!!

"Spring into Service" in Greece!!

“Spring into Service” with Global Volunteers to receive a special limited discount offer for our March and April teams!

Four or more volunteers who apply by January 31 for any of these 28 teams in 16 countries will receive a discount of $200 off our standard service program fee, per volunteer, for one-, two- or three-week international programs or $100 off our standard service program fee, per volunteer, for USA programs. No other discounts apply.

Please encourage others to volunteer in our five fundamental project areas: education (especially promotion of girls education), labor and community infrastructure, health care, child care, and food and nutrition.

Call us at 800-487-1074 for details and we'll assist you every step of the way. Our worldwide host communities can’t wait to welcome you!!

Check out this link for more details & service program dates: http://globalvolunteer.org/special/springspecial.asp

Greece Service Program Dates, March & April Teams:
26-Mar-11 to 9-Apr-11
30-Apr-11 to 14-May-11

Reflecting on A Summer of Service: Five Superb Volunteer Teams!

Friday, August 20, 2010
Created by: Kathi Berkley

Quote for the day:
Author: Thoreau

'Things do not change; we change.'
(Christen Bernard)

Today was our last day teaching and what a finale!!!!!!!!!! Christen’s class made bracelets and water play – fun was had by all. Working with small groups allows her to get closer to the students. She did not have Millie today and it becomes more apparent how much the students know when they can’t rely on someone to translate.

Marcy, Kathi and Mary asked the students to sign their Global Volunteer shirts and are they ever colorful as a result. The class practiced their song for the two students who had not heard it yet. Another scavenger hunt took place. This time for letters of adjectives – using the words that are in the Silly Sentences game. After dress rehearsal for the play – hot potato was played with water balloons. This activity was welcomed by all. Anything to cool off.

The last hour was the finale. The older students sang “Puff the Magic Dragon” and then they put on a play to tell the story. All of the students performed fantastically. It should be noted that they had also made the scenery, objects and characters of the play on Wednesday. Much to the consternation of me (Kathi), the book we used had a picture of a girl on the last page and so the class was convinced Puff had a new friend. So, the script for the play included his making a new friend – a girl – and becoming happy again. Why not? Everyone loves a happy ending, right? The younger students performed their dance and were joined by the older students. Much dancing was done – more than was planned.

Everyone was given a send off and thanks were received. I, for one, and I suspect all of us, will never forget these children and will wonder what life paths they will follow. We had frustrations over the past 2 weeks, but we had more gratifying moments. Many surprises – Drakos wanting to sing the song from memory being one. Who knows what could have been accomplished had we more time.

Thursday, August 19

Quote for the day:
Author: Unknown

I will make this day a happy one, for I alone can determine what kind of day it will be.
(Mary Rizzolo)

Today was another easy day with just eight students in mine and Millie’s class. We danced, sang songs, played BINGO, read “The Lion and the Deer” and colored lions. Kathy kindly let us use some of her brightly colored cardstock to make decorative fans for what seemed to be the most logical Art project for us to create. We are not quite as creative as when Lindsey was here, but we are managing.

The older class practiced for their play of Puff the Magic Dragon, had a scavenger hunt and played “what’s different”. I’m excited to see the play tomorrow as Kathy said it was coming together quite nicely and felt it was going to be really cute. Mary’s group went over colors, shapes and ABC’s. As I approached Kathy in the afternoon I saw her sincerity as she expressed how her kids did great and she was really proud of them.

Millie helped the older class for the last hour and I played BINGO and cards with my students. Towards the end of the last period I let them have free time. Perhaps towards the end of our time here, this was a good time for me to be on my own with the students. Looking back, perhaps playtime is where I found out the most about my students. Not being an expert at lesson planning and since my Greek is very limited, this is when the students and I had to find a way to communicate and perhaps benefited the most. They had to find some way to ask me to play foursquare, volleyball or ask me for whatever they wanted.

I will take this into my future classroom, because on the playground and during recess is where I have been able to work one-on-one with the children. They offered to help me clean up the classrooms and signaled to ask me questions. This is where I found it the easiest to assess their English skills where to most successfully assess and practice what they know. On the playground children asked me to sit down and look at a book with them where they pointed out animals or colors… or offered a polite “sorry” or “thank you” while playing on the playground.

Mary and Kathy ventured into Iraklion to pick up a vase that Kathy had especially made with an olive design on it, but was disappointed when a distraught employee accidentally broke the vase. The employee expressed how sorry she was and paid her back. This was not the outcome that anyone wanted, but… well, if that is the worst thing to happen this week…

We all probably have blisters on our feet from all the walking and are well nourished from the healthy food we have been eating, but it is sad to know that we are approaching on our last and final day of teaching tomorrow. Time has flown by so quickly and it is sad to know that tomorrow will be our last time working with these truly awesome kids.

Wednesday, August 18
Created by: Mary Rizzolo

Quote for the day:
Author: Albert Einstein

Only a life lived for others is a life worth while.
(Marcy Berlin)

Today Christen and her class were very busy – they played Alphabets, had a scavenger hunt and colored Old MacDonald coloring books.

During 2nd hour, Millie and Gabriella taught all the children from both classes a dance. The music was great and the children seemed to enjoy dancing.

Marcy, Kathi and myself read “Puff the Magic Dragon” and taught our class the song. Later in the day the children drew characters and scenes from the story. There are some very good artists in the class.

I haven’t had to play basketball for the past 2 days since teaching Nick and some other boys how to play marbles. At least I can sit down during this game.

After lunch, Christen took a power nap on the beach and then it was off to shopping. March went swimming in the pool while Kathi and I were off shopping in Amadoura. When we walked into one store we were asked where we were from. When we said America the owner said “Ah, the 2nd one today” then he proceeded to tell us he met a Christen from Missouri. Imagine that!

Sam took us out for dinner/shopping/sightseeing in another village. The food, atmosphere and entertainment was excellent. As always, I ate too much! There was a band and dancers. They performed dances from Crete, Northern Athens and modern dances. I was sweating just watching. I can’t imagine how hot they felt in their costumes and dancing. The evening appeared to be a success.

Tomorrow is Thursday, hard to believe our time here is almost over. I will miss the great meals and how welcome everyone has made me feel. They definitely treated us like family. Sam and her children have been wonderful. I hope that we all have been able to contribute at least 1 small thing to the program here. Continued success to the Global Volunteers in Crete.

Tuesday, August 17
Created by: Marcy Berli

Quote for the day:
Author: Mother Teresa

We cannot do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love.
(Christen Bernard)

Waking up to another day of sweltering heat-and off to the mines we go! Fewer children today but lost of wired, wound up kids. Staying with any one activity was near to impossible for some of the kids-boys of course! Additionally, three new kids showed up today.

Puppets were created and quite imaginatively. Marcy suggested short skits with the puppets. That went pretty well and fun was had by all.

The reading of the day was Walter The Farting Dog – audio included. The kids loved it, farts and all.

Another hit of the day, led by Mary was a serious marble game, enjoyed by the boys. Mary is definitely our athletic director. Three more days of sports Mary!

Kathy and Mary had quite an adventure walking the ancient wall. Along the way, Mary did a little “souvenir shopping” which consisted of scaling a fence for three soccer balls. You go girl!. Mary and Kathy are our fearless adventurers-scaling ancient walls and visiting ancient sites.

Christen was off for a nap at the beach. Marcy napped in the comfort of her air conditioned room and then ventured down to the beach. Perfect temperature. She also pointed out a drink that sounded like “friendly cappuccino” and was served up a cappuccino with lots of froth. Yum, hit the spot.

The highlight of dinner was dessert-ice cream/gelato.

Sam talked with us about being “replaced”-not really. She meant referring friends to Global Volunteers. She also showed us a photo album that we can order that will include a compilation of all our pictures-plus scenery shots. Dinner and talk outside was lovely.