Economic Growth United Kingdom Project #8321

The Global Innovation and Education Fund

by Action Change (Formerly GVI Trust)

Project Report | Jan 19, 2017
Luis, Our Costa Rican National Scholar

By Kate Robey | The GVI Trust, Operations Manager

Luis

Dear Supporters,

Today we would like to share Luis's story with you. Luis is from Costa Rica and is a student at the Universidad de Costa Rica. He joined us on our community project in the town of El Cocal in October of 2016.

This is his testimonial about his time with GVI Costa Rica:

"Before GVI, my life was very different, I lived in my comfort zone where materialism had by base the stress of the day to day. One day, with much to risk, I asked myself the following question: How much life my salary is costing me? So, I decided to take the first step to initiate a change.

Thanks to a friend, I got to know GVI and applied for a scholarship; not knowing what to expect I was a little scared, I arrived unaware of the doors that were about to be opened to me. As a volunteer in the program, I first felt an enrichment due to the cultural exchange by living in the same house with people virtually from all over the World, sharing so many experiences that made me feel comfortable and identified. I got to know the methodology of the work in the field (so different to what I have always done), so I was anxious to start as soon as possible.

There’s nothing like experiencing things by yourself, so this was my case when I arrived in El Cocal. Usually people talk about poverty or the needs that some people have, but seeing it and working with those people is something else. It was a process of awareness that made me feel more human. Although the work is not easy, it is our goal to teach values to the children who will be the future of our society.

The program that GVI carries out in this community is fundamental due to the fact that we are the reinforcement to the children’s education and a pillar within the development of this partnership, to which we have been able to contribute with material goods and professional services. Our footprint is denoted within the village. The trigger of our impulse is the desire to achieve new projects, which we hope in the near future we will be seeing as a reality.

From a personal perspective, without wanting to look novelistic, there is a before and an after GVI, it has been key for opening my eyes and heart towards a reality that I was unaware of, it has enriched me and it will continue doing so, with examples and facts that I am proud to be part of. If I was contacted from my old work to return, without hesitation I would have the answer: " No thanks, I have found what I have searched for so long, here I have achieved something that your money can not pay me ".

I am very grateful to all within GVI, for having received me, for being my guides on this journey that has changed my life; for teaching me the value of things, and for giving me the opportunity to live."

Thank you for your support which makes opportunities like these possible!

With Gratitude,
The GVI Trust

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Oct 27, 2016
The Long Term Benefits of Scholarships

By Kate Robey | The GVI Trust, Operations Manager

Dear Supporters,

Today I want to tell you a little bit about some of the benefits and desired outcomes of the scholarship opportunities that we offer. There really is a long-term benefit of helping motivated and passionate young people access opportunities like this.

The objective of the program is to be able to help individuals increase their chances of employability while giving them access to an opportunity that exposes them to a variety of different lessons and skill sets.

Everyone who joins our National Scholarship Program will be given the opportunity to engage in projects that are working towards achieving various of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). All of the scholars will learn about the SDGs and how they can work towards achieving them. Scholars will begin to explore their own personal role in global development and how they fit into it while tackling the issue of what it means to be a global citizen.

When the scholars leave the project, they should have developed new skills and awareness, which will serve to increase their employability. This is the ultimate aim of this project- to make scholars aware of the global issues and give them the tools and confidence to increase their employability. Some of the skills that they will develop will be 'soft skills', like leadership, teamwork, flexibility and time management. They will also learn practical and theoretical skills, which will differ depending on the project that they go to. For example, on one of our marine research bases, scholars may learn how to dive, receive emergency first responder training, learn how to identify corals and fish and learn about the challenges facing that eco-system and how we are working to alleviate those challenges.

We believe that this approach to learning and development is invaluable and that by being exposed to the issues first hand, while also learning how to help start to solve the issues, is highly beneficial for the scholars.

Thank you for your donations and continuous support which makes these opportunities possible.

With Gratitude,

The GVI Charitable Trust

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Aug 3, 2016
Celebrating a Past Scholar

By Kate Robey | The GVI Trust, Operations Manager

Kutullo learning how to track!

Dear Supporters,

Today I would like to share with you some wonderful news and updates about one of the most outstanding scholars that we have had join us on our scholarship program.

Kutullo

Kutullo first came into contact with GVI South Africa way back when he was a schoolboy. Some of our GVI staff and volunteers were hosting environmental workshops in the school in Limpopo Province, South Africa where Kutullo was a student. Part of the workshops involved a competition and Kutullo was in the group of students who won. The prize was a trip to the Karongwe Game Reserve where GVI works to go on a game drive. Kutullo says that ever since that day his whole focus was on conservation and doing everything he could to get back there!

Kutullo says that ever since that day his whole focus was on conservation and doing everything he could to get back there and make a difference.

After he finished school and attended college to learn a little more about conservation, we heard from Kutullo again and, as they say, the rest is history! We offered him a scholarship position for 6 months. He joined us as a field intern and he excelled and thrived. After that the team in Limpopo just couldn't let him go- he has been working for us at GVI Limpopo ever since.

Recently we offered Kutullo the opportunity to fly down to Cape Town to visit our community project, and head office, here. The reason for this? Kutullo is going to be starting to lead our community work back in Limpopo!

It was so wonderful to be able to finally meet Kutullo and see how far he has come. It is incredible to see the passion that he has and how he is fired up to make a real difference in his local community. (It was an extra bonus to get to show him around Cape Town and hear all about his first ever trip on an aeroplane!)

Thank you so much for helping us to make opportunities like this possible. You really have changed a life!

With Gratitude,

The GVI Charitable Trust

Out on patrol!

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