What if we could change the way aid works? 

Engage Globally began with a classroom conversation that became a transformative collaboration

While teaching sustainability at American University, our founder Dr. Heather Heckel traveled with her students to observe international aid projects. What they learned was sobering: well-meaning efforts from global organizations often broke down after a few years because donors moved on to new projects and had not involved the local community in their projects. For example, in just one village they found abandoned wells, unused toilet blocks, an empty health clinic, and a collapsed food storage facility.

But in that same region, Heather, and her students, met Walisu—a community organizer who had organized a women’s group, youth club, and traditional leaders to identify shared goals. With local leadership, community buy-in, and a clear vision, all they lacked were resources. That meeting sparked the idea for Engage Globally’s approach to development—one rooted in listening, learning, collaboration, and deep respect for local culture and knowledge. Today, our long-term partnership not only changes lives, it also creates opportunities for local and global communities to engage together to create a more sustainable world. 

We aren’t here to give aid-we’re here to stand beside our partners as they build their own future.