Global Learning: A Worthy Cause

 

By: Tiffany Joy Swenson

In our first issue, Alternative Latin Investor profiled the contributing habits of Ultra High Net Worth Philanthropists; in our follow up issue, we would like to take an opportunity to shine a spotlight on one of the many nonprofit organizations that we deem worthy of such philanthropic donations.

Twelve years ago an eager undergrad began a project that has now grown into an organization that helps thousands of children globally each year. Global Learning (GL) is an international not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting education as a means for peace and justice. The organization is funded primarily by individual donors, grassroots fund-raising done by volunteers and generous in-kind donations. Thanks to these donations, GL provides virtually free volunteer opportunities year-round to hundreds of young leaders from around the globe—without a single paid employee. With a mission to alleviate poverty through the transformative power of education, GL has coordinated over 600 volunteers from more than 24 countries to serve on their multicultural teaching teams.

Global Learning Founder and Executive Director Jana Kiser explains her inspiration for starting the organization as twofold. As a first-year student at the University of Montana, Kiser felt fortunate to have access to such a wealth of knowledge and resources, but she realized that the resources that exist at a university level aren’t available on a global level. She became determined to find a way to bring art, music and multicultural learning programs into schools globally. Additionally, Kiser was motivated by the fact that her most inspired and talented friends weren’t going into community-oriented work, primarily because there weren’t many affordable options for volunteer programs abroad. She made it her goal with Global Learning to create an organization that was financially realistic for those wishing to volunteer.

The organization focuses on four primary initiatives to support its mission: School Enrichment, Global Leaders, Global Action Tank and Student-Centered Teacher Training.

The school enrichment programs are located in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Mexico and the United States. GL volunteers teach and learn with more than 3000 elementary and high school students annually as a part.....




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