Take Action

Make a difference on an upcoming trip:

CONFIRMED dates for Service-Learning in Swaziland, Africa:
May 18 - 28th, 2014 Child-Headed Household Team (team full)
May 26 - June 4th, 2014 Needs Assessment/Development Team (team full)
July 15 - 24th, 2014 Child-Headed Household Team (team full)
Spots available, join us!:
            November 21 - 30th, 2014 Thanksgiving Break Team (1 spot left)
December 17 - 26th, 2014 Bendix Family Team (team full)
December 26 - Jan 4th, 2015 New Years Team (team tentatively full)
March 13 - 22nd, 2015 Spring Break Team* (3 spots left)
May 9 - 19th, 2015 Child-headed Household Team (4 spots left)
May 17 - 27th, 2015 Child-headed Household Team (4 spots left)
August 10 - 20th, 2015 Child-headed Household Team (4 spots left)
**Are you part of a team of 3-4 people wanting to go on a service-learning trip to Swaziland?
We can customize your group trip...email annie for more details: anniefightspoverty@gmail.com

* These dates coincide with Purdue and IUPUI's spring break but anyone (even non-students) are welcome!

Invite GHFP to speak at your school, church, or community event:

Help us spread the word!! Invite a GHFP staff member or volunteer to speak at your church, school, or community event. This event can be designed as a information booth/session or a structured lecture on global health and how you can get involved.

Host a "Painting for a Purpose" event:

A "Painting for a Purpose" party is a great way to help GHFP spread the word and have fun in the process! Art teachers will bring all of the supplies necessary for you and your friends to paint "masterpieces" (no artistic skills required!). Each participant will paint two pictures - keeping one and donating the other to an orphan in Swaziland! We can customize any bachelorette party, baby shower, wedding shower, birthday, or event just a girls night event! This event requires a donation of $25 per person and is currently only available in the Indianapolis IN, Lafayette IN, and surrounding areas. Contact Annie for more details: anniefightspoverty@gmail.com

Create an Orphan Ambassador Program at your high-school or University:

Coordinate a donation drive:

Join efforts at church, school, or work to organize a donation drive for the orphans!
Donations are always needed and will be collected prior to each international mission (see dates above).
On behalf of our orphans, GHFP would be thrilled to receive:

Digital Cameras/Flip video recorders
Projector
Suitcases/Luggage
School Supplies
Children's books
Laptops

Past Service-Learning Students:

Katy Schueller (2013)

Having had the opportunity to travel to Swaziland (three times since 2011 with GHFP) truly changed my life. Being an Elementary Education major, I was naturally drawn to the thought of being able to work with children, especially in such a unique culture. What shocked me more than the unimaginable struggles these orphans and vulnerable children have faced was their unwavering perseverance and lust for life. The children I was lucky enough to encounter taught me more about life than any teacher or textbook ever could. I now have an even greater appreciation for the life I am lucky enough to lead as well as a growing desire to do all I can for these children. I am forever grateful for this experience and everything it has done for me and now I am excited to share that passion with future GHFP Service-Learning participants as their Team Leader! Contact: katyfightspoverty@gmail.com

Danielle Ostrowski (2012)

As a student in the medical field, my greatest passion is helping others and receiving that sense of joy when I look at their happy faces. I can honestly say that going to Swaziland was the best decision of my entire life. These children are so full of happiness and have a thirst for knowledge. They are brought up with nothing and yet contain so much kindness and selflessness. One boy, Samkelo, is an absolute inspiration to me. As a teenager he dropped out of school to take care of his younger siblings and is completely mature beyond his years. I consider him a hero. In those couple of weeks I spent in Swaziland I thought I was going to help these kids and help change their lives through this organization. Coming back I realized that it was the other way around; they completely changed my life. Because of them I know I am a better person and they taught me that life is all about the people you’re surrounded by and the happiness you share. I am so incredibly grateful to have been a part of this organization and this experience. I hope to return to Swaziland very soon to see these kids I miss and love so much!

Kristen Busenbark, Art With a Heart educator (2011)

I traveled to Swaziland excited to learn about a new culture and do what I love, which is working with children. What I got was an incredible experience that changed my life. Working with under-served youth in my everyday life is extremely rewarding but nothing can compare to the experience and life lessons I learned in Swaziland. The children that I was so fortunate to meet had so many challenges and struggles to overcome every day, things that I couldn’t even dream about overcoming if I was their age, but the desire and attitude they have about life is truly unbelievable. Listening to them talk about their aspirations and goals they have for themselves was an unbelievable experience, it made me take a look at myself in a way that I never have before. I have a greater appreciation for the life I am able to lead because of Swaziland and now have an overwhelming desire to help out Give Hope Fight Poverty in any way possible. I find myself thinking about Swaziland everyday and I know it will be a part of me forever.

Riyona Abraham, Purdue University (2010)

"Swaziland has impacted my life in a tremendous way. I am more aware of what blessings I have and the opportunities that I am fortunate to be a part of. The people of Swaziland are inspiring to me because of what they have to go through on a daily basis. If there is anything that I have learned from the trip is that you should never give up on faith and to always have hope."

Ashley Burton, Purdue University (2009)

I traveled to Swaziland as a public health student. This trip provided me the opportunity to experience another culture and further develop my interest in global health issues. The time spent with Swazi orphans was an incredible experience I will never forget. Their dreams and zest for life, despite their circumstances, were truly amazing. After spending time with families in the village, we were also able to visit orphanages and hospitals. The hospital visit solidified my desire to pursue a second degree in nursing to allow me to pursue my passion in reaching out to vulnerable families worldwide. I look forward to upcoming trips in the near future! "Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."