Who we are

Our work is carried out by an efficient staff, hands-on board members, a network of incredible volunteers, and numerous partner organizations on the ground in every region we serve, each bringing local expertise and long-term relationships that make our results possible.

We are career-long teachers, scientists, economic developers, religious leaders, and civil servants; we are heavy equipment operators, farmers, electricians, and plumbers. We lean on white-collar and blue-collar peers from around the world to contribute their unique experience and world view to inform and enable our work.

Our team believes every community deserves the chance to build a stable, healthy, and prosperous future for itself. What began in 1999 as a free medical clinic and a commitment to clean water has now grown into a global economic development NGO, focused on serving the small businesses and entrepreneurs that make up the bottom half of the economy. From the women who band together to harvest your hibiscus tea, to the skilled young bakery owner who provides his village's daily bread, each is crucial to the success of their community, and each deserves our support, as we have observed that raising the economic floor is more effective than raising the ceiling.

Our board has committed to personally covering all day-to-day administrative overhead costs, allowing 100% of all outside donations to directly fund our fieldwork instead of paying executive salaries. This commitment to delivering zero-waste aid to those who need it most speaks to the very core of our mission.