Where We Work

We work in more than a dozen countries in Africa and Asia, promoting innovative, sustainable solutions to critical development challenges. Countries do not exist in isolation from the complexities of their region, and many communities straddle porous borders. For this reason, we take a regional approach to program design, connecting sustainable improvements to quality of life to the development of the region as a whole.

Carving out a better life

Several wooden spoons and forks are perched on a table as Fatima puts the finishing touches on another one. Around her, other carpenters are carving signs, measuring material, and smoothing out large pieces of wood for new projects.

Weaving a Brighter Future: Apendiwe’s story

Apendiwe Momade sits in the shade outside her home in rural Mozambique, next to a billowing pile of dried grass.

Her legs are outstretched on one of her homemade mats, her fingers a blur as she expertly twists the grass into intricate patterns.

Under the canopy of the apricot trees

It sits nestled in the palm of my hand, a shrunken, wrinkled russet sphere that rattles softly when I shake it. I find it in Zeverdashd, a Tajik village wedged between the towering Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan and Afghanistan. It represents a livelihood for 15 women and their families.

Welcoming the class of 2021: The University of Central Asia launches its first undergraduate program

Classes are officially underway at the University of Central Asia’s first undergraduate program in Naryn, Kyrgyz Republic. The inaugural cohort of 71 students is hitting the books – with a unique curriculum that has a Canadian connection.

Gallery: Strengthening Education Systems in East Africa

Primary school enrollment in East Africa has improved significantly, but the number of children in class only tells part of the story. For students to get the most out of school, they need a quality education system with well-trained teachers and staff.

New opportunities for a new generation in northern Pakistan

Meet Mahayuddin and Aftar Gul, a remarkable duo changing lives in northern Pakistan.

Making the Grade: A New Chapter for Education in East Africa

For Betty and Acidiri, reading together is about more than quality family time. Acidiri’s teachers encourage all the parents in the community to read with their children – a strong predictor of academic success later in life.

The Flexible Response Fund of the Girls’ Education Support Program in Afghanistan

In Afghanistan’s rural northern provinces, the barriers to educating girls are diverse and always changing – but often, the solutions are simple.

Healthy Mothers and Children: The Heart of Communities

A healthy body and mind are fundamental to a good quality of life. In Canada, we have the building blocks of good health: nutritious food, clean water, sanitary living conditions, and access to medical care.