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. Unfortunately they often found that well-meaning visitors and international organizations created projects that had limited impact or did not last 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 model a sustainable approach to community development. Engage began by collaborating with local community leaders to support one classroom for 30 early childhood learners in rural Northern Ghana. Today, we support the education of over 500 children and youth in six rural villages. We also engage in women's empowerment, vocational training, small business development, environmental education, 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. |
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Our Approach
Engage Globally envisions sustainable development for all. We pursue this vision by collaborating with community-based organizations to support their goals. We believe that community-led projects can transform 'international aid' into an approach that is collaborative, effective, and both mutually educational and beneficial. Communities, through discussion with diverse stakeholders, are uniquely able to build upon cultural, social, and other local resources, to create projects that are relevant, meaningful, and sustainable over time. Additionally, community-led projects are able to adjust quickly to changing circumstances and to be resilient in the face of unexpected events or emergencies. Engage Globally contributes to these partnerships through capacity building, financial resources, and knowledge growth.
We believe that everyone can 'engage globally' and we seek to build a community of people who are interested in learning and making a difference together. To support mutual learning, we 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.
We believe that everyone can 'engage globally' and we seek to build a community of people who are interested in learning and making a difference together. To support mutual learning, we 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 Some of 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.
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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.
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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.
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