"GULP is a collaborative and innovative leadership development program for students at the University of Minnesota and the Australian National University."
We are a diverse group of 9 students at the University of Minnesota selected to be involved in a Global Leaders Program focusing on developing intercultural competence, practicing global leadership theory and citizenship, and global sustainability through service. This program is in its second year and is looking forward to continuing it's work for the non-profit Determined to Develop through a se
rvice trip to Malawi, Africa over January Break 2016. This trip would follow a year of studying global leadership theory, exploring global relationships through a partnership with Australian National University, and researching a project given to us by Determined to Develop. To see the first group’s service visit their website:
Determined to Develop is a non-profit organization that focuses on programs supporting education, orphan care, women’s empowerment, health and the environment. All projects they develop have 100% community ownership.
“All projects, 100%, have a community ownership component. We are not in a position to impose what we think is a “solution” on people who may or may not want it. All projects are vetted by traditional leaders (chiefs), local village development committees and village women’s advisory groups before they pass the planning stages. All projects are required to have a community contribution, which is usually in another form than cash, but for which typically makes up at least 40% of the project. This includes our support for students who must then “contribute” towards the younger orphans through tutoring, thereby establishing early the responsibility to those whom much is given. We do not act as a savior, but instead work within the framework of personal responsibility with each recipient being held accountable with results. This means our partners in development must deliver what they say they will and our children must perform well in school. We see our job as giving a boost to the most marginalized in society that they might finally reach the bottom rung of the ladder in order to climb to the top under their own power.”
-Determined to Develop
To find out more visit their website:
We will be lodging at Maji Zuwa, a social entrepreneurship venture encompassing a guesthouse lodge and non-profit community-based organization located in Sangilo Village founded by the Executive Director of Determined to Develop. Maji Zuwa directly supports Determined to Developed and pays the wages for the local community members employed there. To find out more visit their website:
