A Different Kind of Development It was early 2020, after more than 15 years working in the responsible travel, safari, conservation and community development sectors across Southern Africa, that I joined GS Giving Circle. From my first meeting, when Founder…

When artist and longtime GSGC supporter Russell Ford spent five weeks in the vibrant Wayi Wayi Art Gallery in Livingstone, Zambia, he ate fish from the Zambezi River daily. He easily drew parallels between his hometown of Vancouver, Washington, on...

Returning to a Place That Changed Me When I first visited the GSGC Clubs in Zimbabwe and Zambia back in 2016, I didn’t know just how much the experience would stay with me. I traveled with a group of friends, guided by Global Sojourns, and what we encountered was powerful: young girls stepping into safe spaces for the first time, mentors showing up with heart and purpose, and a budding organization still in its early years of growth. Nearly a decade later, a few of us from th

When it comes to raising money for GSGC, Russell Ford turns to his backyard art studio and kiln and goes to work. Participating in Clark County’s Open Studios one year, he chose a Cast a Wider Net theme and fashioned…

I’ve just returned from Trip #4 to GSGC-sponsored clubs in Zimbabwe and Zambia. Once again, I came home amazed by the tenacity, vision and resourcefulness of the women and men we sponsor as mentors to young people in their communities...

By Suzanne Firth, GSGC supporter, Toronto, Canada “I thought I knew just about everything about GSGC and its work, but my experience in Zimbabwe proved me wrong.” In a coach heading south from scenic Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, we are 13...

The story of a traveler turned devoted GSGC supporter and volunteer, Suzanne Firth. I have lived abroad, but never set foot in Africa. Curious, I used a giant atlas and Google Maps to follow a friend’s trip to Namibia with...

Suzanne Firth of Toronto, Canada, is one of GSGC’s newest volunteers. She’s jumped in with both feet, and our communications team is stronger for it. In 2011, Suzanne retired as director of Communications, Media and Public Relations for the Schulich...

American art teacher, artist and Global Sojourns Giving Circle (GSGC) supporter Russell Ford touched down in Africa for the first time following his retirement. During his five-week stay, he became the first artist-in-residence at WayiWayi Gallery in Livingstone, Zambia. The...

Laury Bryant thought she had a grasp of how to support struggling communities in Africa — until she met GSGC mentors and teenagers face to face. For the Seattle resident and her husband, Bill, this most recent trip was their...

The girls of GSGC-sponsored Rise N’ Shine Club wiped clean the dusty plastic chair they set for me under the club’s thatched-roof structure in rural Lupinyu, 12 miles outside Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe — and we got to work. We started...

By Emily Bronstein, age 15 When I first got involved with GSGC three years ago, during my first trip to Africa with my family, I became determined to stay connected to the girls I met, and to raise funds to...

New Jersey resident Bruce Klein had planned to do more charitable work after retirement. He didn’t plan to do it 7,500 miles from home. Bruce and his wife, Ellen Walsh, had just completed Global Sojourns’ award-winning Safari, Culture and Philanthropy...

New Jersey resident and retired electrical engineer/building project manager, Bruce Klein, is putting his skills to work for GSGC in a powerful way. GSGC has long wanted to create a meeting/safe space to support GSGC activities and to serve members...

“Are you going back?” family and friends have asked in the four months I’ve been home from volunteering with Global Sojourns Giving Circle in Southern Africa. “Of course I’m going back,” is always my response. “I couldn’t not go back.”...

When artist, teacher and GSGC supporter Russell Ford, spent five weeks as part of the vibrant art community that swirls around Wayi Wayi Art Gallery in Livingstone, Zambia, he ate fish from the Zambezi River daily and easily drew parallels between...

We settled with the girls of Rise & Shine Lupinyu under the village head man’s thatched meeting space in his family compound. It’s an open-air structure that serves as the girls’ safe space to talk. This day, it also would...

A GSGC volunteer observes the recent Zimbabwe elections Checking my hometown primary election returns online a few days ago got me thinking again about the July 30 presidential election here in Zimbabwe. I was lucky to be with Global...

Written by Bart Walters, DMD None of the 30 or so members of Girls Time club in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe said a thing or raised a hand when I asked who uses toothpaste and floss or had been to a...

Roberta M. Plummer, 1925-2017, Vancouver, Wash. Mom was a GSGC donor and in-kind contributor since we formed the nonprofit in 2007. She always supported me in my desire to live and work in Africa, but she went on to give...