A bridge to Africa: Motherland Internatio­nal

There’s no shortage of disease and poverty in Africa. But for Christopher Keiser-Liontree—co-founder of Motherland International Relations—there’s another way to see the continent. Making connections: Christopher Keiser-Liontree (center-left), co-founder of Motherland International Relations, on his third trip to Ghana in 1998, where he was a facilitator with a group that built a Habitat for Humanity. […]

Books as building blocks in Bolivia: BiblioWork­s

The premise behind BiblioWorks is simple: Books build communities. Over the past four years, the nonprofit has opened six libraries across Bolivia, mostly in rural areas, with the help of Peace Corps volunteers and Bolivian churches, authorities and nonprofit agencies. Young readers: Children in Morado K’asa, Bolivia, celebrated the opening of their first library in […]

Teaching Jamaica’s teachers: WCU’s Jamaica Program

On the campus of Western Carolina University, it’s simply called “the Jamaica Program.” Graduation day: These students are graduates of Western Carolina University’s master of arts in education program with a concentration in college administration, which is based in Discovery Bay, Jamaica. The university has been involved in teaching Jamaica’s young teachers for four decades. […]

The eye of the storm: Hearts With Hands

While many international aid organizations focus long-term efforts and energies on a specific population or location, Hearts With Hands’ work is determined by the disaster du jour. From hurricanes to tsunamis, the group turns its attention wherever the latest large-scale crisis has erupted. Healing touch: Dr. Maureen McLaughlin-Grant examines a patient at the Hearts With […]

Succoring the “sick men” of Nicaragua: Vision Nicaragua

There’s a long-standing relationship between Christian evangelism and providing material aid. Vision Nicaragua does both, attending to the spiritual needs of several Nicaraguan communities while also supplying shelter, medical aid and financial support. Setting up shop: Asheville electrician Scott Bruns (center) teaches Nicaraguans Marlon and Melvin (seated) some basic electrical principles, with Carlos, a local […]