Our StoryEngage Globally was founded by Heather Heckel, PhD, while she was an Assistant Professor teaching sustainability at American University. In this role, Heather had the opportunity to travel with her students to study and observe global education, conservation, and foreign aid in several developing countries. Though there are many successful international aid efforts, Heather unfortunately found that often projects were not sustained over time. Well-meaning visitors and international organizations sometimes create projects that are not a priority for local communities and without funding to sustain them over time.
For example, in one of our partner villages, of approximately 1000 residents in rural Northern Ghana, there are eight broken aid projects donated by different organizations and governments. These projects, which include broken wells, never used toilets, a collapsed food storage facility, abandoned bee hives, and a never opened health clinic, can create public health risks and are unsightly and discouraging. Heather, and her students, often discussed how international engagement might become more effective and sustainable. Building upon these discussions and experiences, inspirational meetings with local community leaders, and growing recognition of the potential of ‘engaging globally’, Heather collaborated with several alumni to establish Engage Globally to role model a sustainable approach to community development. Engage began by supporting one classroom for 30 early childhood learners in rural Northern Ghana. Today, Engage Globally supports the education of nearly 500 youth in six rural villages. We also engage in vocational training, small business development, tree planting, public health and food security projects. Beyond our collaboration in Ghana, we support environmental education in collaboration with the Children's Eternal Rainforest in Costa Rica and provide online resources for those interested in learning more about sustainability. Thanks to our diverse community of partners, supporters, interns, board members, and volunteers, our organization continues to grow. |
|
|
Our ApproachEngage Globally envisions sustainable development for all. As we strive for this vision, we collaborate with local community leaders to pursue sustainable development. We believe that communities are uniquely able to identify their priorities and to implement projects that build upon cultural awareness and social capital, while utilizing local resources. Community-led development is a longterm investment in meaningful and sustainable change. Engage supports community-led sustainability by providing financial resources, capacity building, knowledge, and educational resources to our partners.
We also provide presentations and online resources to engage individuals and their communities in learning about global sustainable development and environmental conservation. As an organization, Engage seeks to be inclusive, to magnify the voices and experiences of underrepresented communities, and to role model sustainable organizational practices. |
learn more about our work
Education
Students in our three early childhood learning centers attend from age 4 to 11. Each student receives a daily school lunch to improve nutrition, school uniform, and learning supplies.
|
Vocational Training
Vocational trainees work with regional businesses for two years learning a trade. When they finish their training, most are hired by their supervisors. If they prefer, trainees can receive a grant to open their own small business.
|
scholarship program
For older students, we provide scholarships for them to attend private schools in the region. Each student receives school fees, learning supplies, uniforms, and a bicycle.
|