We are inspired individuals who have a heart for Africa and see education as key to improving lives.
How the Global Sojourns Giving Circle started:
Many of us have been touched by Africa – the beauty of the land and the enduring spirit of the people stays with us once we return from our travels. However we cannot separate the poverty and struggles facing so many Africans from the experience of travelers and sojourners n Africa.
As a way to give back to the place and people from whom we received so much, we created a Giving Circle to pool our resources and talents to help communities in need. Over the years we have learned that the best of intentions can cause as much harm as good. With that in mind we have gathered our first-hand experience and the knowledge of experts in international development to design an organizational model that is light and nimble. We can ensure that a small amount of funding can make a positive and transformational difference.
Foundation:
Priscilla Macy, founder of Global Sojourns Giving Circle, has had her focus on Africa since 1990, living and working in a variety of countries. Her in-depth cultural anthropological research led her to a Masters Degree in Women in Development. Her field work includes Economic Development and Cultural Anthropological studies in Mozambique and assisting Small and Micro-Businesses in Kenya, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Rather than academic work, her research evolved at the local level as she observed how household income was earned and spent. Her thesis is on Women’s Lives in the Niassa Province of Mozambique.
Peter Macy: Having lived and worked in Africa since he was three years old, Peter 
has a love of and strong connection to the continent. As a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Central African Republic and Togo, he helped build schools and mud homes. As a professional water engineer, he’s assisted rural communities on developing water and sanitation programs and has worked on multi-million dollar projects across the continent. He has a special knack for vetting projects, developing strong partnerships and for monitoring and evaluating projects.
Together we track the numbers of who our funding is reaching, but we give much more focus to qualitative research; numbers play a role but also can fail to tell the real story of households thriving.
Many years of experience living, working and traveling in “the field” in Africa have transformed us into informed donors. We bring this deep knowledge, as well as our integrity and reputations, to bear in our philanthropic service.
Through our relationships, we are in regular contact with our partners.
Our purpose is to ensure there is improvement in their lives.
Global Sojourns’ Giving Circle members are located throughout the United States. Together, we pool our resources and talents, and choose projects in Sub-Saharan Africa where our donations can be most transformational. Within the Circle, the Vetting Committee researches and studies possible community groups to support, and the each member of the Circle decides by casting a vote.
The members of the Giving Circle also participate in conference calls directly with partners in the field, with experts and with recent travelers. These very informative conversations build the skills of all the participants in the Circle.
Global Sojourns’ Giving Circle members have the opportunity to travel and visit the partner projects.
They receive and contribute to newsletters and blogs, and participate in special events.
Governance of the Giving Circle:
- Planning Committee: This committee is comprised of people who have traveled with Global Sojourns to Africa, and have chosen to remain deeply involved with the communities they’ve visited. The current Planning Committee members are Paige Hasson, Linda Dee, Priscilla Macy, and Megan Woodard.
- Vetting Committee: A committee that evaluates current projects, reviews project proposals and makes recommendations to the members. The current Vetting Committee members are Peter Macy, Sandy Bettger and Priscilla Macy.
Advisors and In-Kind Supporters:
We are grateful for the assistance from professionals who believe in our work and give us their time and direction. Meet some of “the team”.
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