World Book Encyclopedia Donation Arrives on Rarotonga!!

A big thank you to Volunteer Nancy, Global Volunteers' staff & host partners and World Book Encyclopedia for allowing this great donation effort to happen!

Please take a peek at a few photos below of the encyclopedias arriving at a local school and the students diving right into learning!




Here a student takes his first crack at sign language!!

Eyeglasses for Island Children

This is Sunday morning at the Kii Kii Motel in the beautiful Cook Islands. I'm sitting on a landing coming down the steps from my motel room. I discovered this is the best place to sit to use the internet. I'm in the shade, have a lovely ocean breeze, look out at the mountain that is the center of the island, and line up perfectly with the wifi signal from the motel office.

Sunday mornings are usually a lazy time here. All the locals are in church and no shops are open. But surprisingly, I got a phone call. It was from the mom of one little girl whose eyesight I tested. I had sent the girl home with a note from me (printed on school letterhead to make it look more official). My note to her parents said that based on my testing, the girl might need glasses. Then I gave them information on the steps they needed to take to get glasses at no cost. The reason the mom called me is that the girl already has glasses. The mom had no idea her daughter wasn't wearing them at school.

On an island where very few people wear glases, there is a stigma attached to being the odd one who doesn't have perfect vision. My guess is the little girl will be wearing them in the future. While talking about the little girl, her mom asked about getting glasses for her son. He attends a high school where we have not yet done the screening. He has told his mom that his vision is blurry. and she wondered if he was eligible for our eye glass program. I assured her that he was. She is going to make an appointment with the eye doctor to get a prescription and then order glasses from us.

I got my local Lions' Club to make a donation of $1,000 in 2010 to buy glasses for the kids here, and made a web page on Global Volunteers' site to ask my friends for matching donations. I raised about $3,000 there to buy glasses I brought with me for the students. The children and their parents are very grateful!
- Susan Koralik,Cook Islands volunteer

Volunteer Connection Provides Eyeglasses

Four-time Global Volunteer Susan Koralik and the Lion’s Club of Park Ridge, Illinois have brought the gift of clearer vision to some fortunate Rarotonga students.

Koralik, who is serving with the current Cook Islands team, is continuing a collaborative effort with local eye nurse specialist Doris Fonorito to screen students at Takitumu, Rutaki, Imanuela Akatemia, St Joseph’s and Te Uki Ou schools on the island.

Last time Koralik served on Rorotonga, she and Fonorito screened 638 students. Those who followed up to obtain eyeglass prescriptions were then eligible to obtain prescription glasses through Koralik's hometown Lion's Club. The Chicago Club shipped eight pairs to Rarotonga.

While she is not an optometrist, Koralik has been trained in vision screening, and brings vision charts – bearing letters and, for kids who can’t yet read, symbols – when she comes to Rarotonga. This year she also brought sample frames so that vision-impaired kids can choose their own frame style. Over the next four weeks Koralik will assist local optometrist Teariki Faireka to screen more students. We look forward to new reports on this very needed project!
-Excerpted from the Cook Islands NEWS

Consider volunteering on Rarotonga in 2011!

If you're considering volunteering 2011, why not consider the Pacific Island of Rarotonga, the largest island of the Cook Islands?

If volunteering in a warm, mild climate is for you then read on! Below you will find volunteer reflections from a 2010 volunteer. Don't be shy... Join Us!!!



As our first week on the Cook Islands comes to a close, we have all had many thoughts and feelings towards our experience so far.

Candy has felt very satisfied from all of the new books she has put on libraries’ shelves for people to enjoy. She was also surprised by how she felt a sense of belonging after only a few days on the island. Ellen felt awed by the beauty of the island. Jennifer felt nervous when she first started at a school, but if the number of books she and Candy catalogued is any indication of how she feels now, I think it is safe to say she feels quite at home in the libraries!

Chason has realized his perspective of everything has greatly broadened on this trip; and he is glad to experience a new culture. Rob felt flustered on his first day at St. Joseph’s but despite this first day, he was also touched by the affection given by the 2nd graders he worked with. Siu felt very excited for her first day at school. She also felt inspired by Debi’s ability to take care of us with good humor and good grace.

As for me, I felt a little out of place on my first day at school because I am so used to being the student, not teacher. However, I was pleased at how soon that faded because of all of the welcoming and friendly hellos and waves.
Although there was a variety of feelings they will make our experience more interesting and memorable.

Written by ~ Volunteer Sofia


Call (800) 487 - 1074 to become a Global Volunteer!!

Reflections from a Cook Islands Volunteer

"I find myself thinking of how we will look back on our time on Rarotonga. The warmth of the people and the climate, and the beauty of the island are unforgettable. Our work with the various community partners, James and Debi, our teammates of Vaka 117 and some of our shared activities will probably also stick with us.

And how could we forget the mores of the Cook Islanders? But will we remember the things that made the fabric of our day-to-day lives? Like the deceptively simple-sounding bus system with its hourly clockwise and anti-clockwise schedule that many of us university-graduates are still struggling to grasp… or the regular visits to the Telecom office to maintain at least minimal contact with our lives at home… The endless variety of deep-fried items available with shakes (thickness optional) at take-aways… Beachcombing and snorkeling in deliciously-warm water... The tattoo on a hollow-log drum that signals the start and finish of school day activities, and hundreds of kids’ bare feet… Kia Oranas and Meitakis… Helmetless people riding scooters, accompanied by their untethered kids, pets, friends and/or groceries...

Saturday morning market visits where we strolled, surrounded by a riot of colorful sarongs, jewelry, and tropical fruits and vegetables; sounds of Maori and English talk and music; and the scents of foods, flowers, and perfumes extracted from island flora. We developed new ways of relating to fruit as we picked bananas off of our own giant bunch, and learned to eat oranges island-style from the inside out.

These represent some of the strands of my memories. I know we’ve each had our own unique experiences to remember, so whatever yours may be, I hope they weave a fabric that recalls an enjoyable and meaningful time in your life."

Rachael Bertone, 2010 Cook Islands Volunteer

"Spring into Service" in the Cook Islands!!

“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

Cook Islands Service Program Dates, March & April Team:
21-Mar-11 to 9-Apr-11

Vote for Global Volunteers!

From November 15 - November 21 the Star Tribune newspaper is holding a contest entitled 'Full Page Project' amongst MN non-profits and the winner will receive a free full page ad in the paper!

Please vote for us this week ~ you can vote once per hour!

Here is the link where you can register and then vote for Global Volunteers (please copy and paste the link): http://startribune.upickem.net/engine/Registration.aspx?contestid=22815

We would also encourage you to pass this link along to your family and friends, and post it on your personal Facebook page. Let us know if you have any questions, and remember voting goes until 5 p.m. Sunday!

Thank you for your support.