Community Developments – Our Stories
The Outreach Blog
The Outreach blog shows you that every day around the world, Outreach’s community partners are working together to reach their goals and forge a sustainable path out of chronic poverty.
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Women’s Empowerment 2023
Outreach Celebrates Women’s Empowerment in 2023 and our women leaders all around the world.
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Women’s Empowerment 2023
Outreach Celebrates Women’s Empowerment in 2023 and our women leaders all around the world.
Latest Posts:
Sometimes signing up for a mailing list is a good idea, especially to read great stories. This is one of those times.
All Outreach Blog Stories
Women’s Empowerment 2023
Outreach Celebrates Women’s Empowerment in 2023 and our women leaders all around the world.
What Is Community-Led Development?
Community-Led Development gets people involved in building the capacity of their community to improve itself, and is a growing movement.
Water Well Drilling | Cassidy’s Reflections
Our Senior Manager of Training and Support witnessed the inspiring gusher from a water well drilling project in Ofesi, Malawi.
5 Reasons to Love Outreach
Outreach International is a top-rated charity for so many reasons. Here’s just 5.
Program Partner Reflections
Our 2021 Annual Report includes reflections from our partners who do the work all over the world. We’re always inspired by their thoughts.
Community-led Monitoring and Evaluation
Philippines and Cambodia create project evaluation surveys to improve future projects. The results are inspiring. The method is scientific, and it works.
Graduated Communities in 2021
Outreach International saw 27 graduated communities in 2021. Read how the best way to fight poverty is to empower those most affected by it.
From Our CEO: The Greatest Good
If you take a moment to read this note from our CEO, Kevin Prine, you’ll see how your donations help us to fight poverty all around the world.
Outreach Zambia’s PHD Process Creates a Nursery School in Mapande
A story of problem-solving and perseverance in Zambia. Years of hard work to give their children a school, and a more promising future.
Vegetable Seedling Distribution in Bolivia
Vegetable seedling distribution and greenhouse construction lead to nutrition and prosperity in central Bolivia.
Outreach Volunteer Network
The Council Bluffs, IA Community of Christ congregation, came through in spectacular fashion, fundraising for Outreach International.
Meet Bayardo
Years of steady effort and focus on helping others empowered Bayardo to grow his own prosperity, empowering himself and his family as he worked to empower those around him.
We Don’t Walk Alone
Thirty-three years ago, Outreach initiated a partnership program to provide faith communities, both large and small, with the opportunity to engage in philanthropy.
Founder and Friend Bill Higdon
“Bill will be remembered for his lifetime of service to others and his inclusive attitude toward all people.”
2021 Haiti Earthquake Updates
The 2021 Haiti earthquake has devastated the nation’s southern region, leaving many injured, homeless or without resources. You can help.
Outreach Event Space Party!
The Outreach Event Space threw a grand reopening party celebrating major renovations on August's First Friday in the Kansas City Crossroads District.
The Bright Spots: Outreach International 2020 Highlights
2020 was a difficult year around the globe. But, like so many, we rose to the challenge. Here are the Outreach International 2020 highlights.
A Solar Water System: Nandabadi Success
Residents of Nandabadi, India, celebrate the completion of a solar water system project that brings convenience and technological advancement.
Meet the 2021 Summer Interns
We’ve worked with some impressive interns, and these four are no exception. Meet Jenna, Ben, Rachael and Sarah, and prepare to be inspired!
Community-Led Collaboration
MCLD, or Movement for Community-Led Development, is a collaboration of over 70 member organizations all working together!
Community Garden in Bolivia
These community leaders in Bolivia are planting it forward by securing seeds and resources for hundreds of beneficiaries.
Q & A with the Outreach Interns 2021
We’re fortunate enough to work with so many talented individuals. Today we’re highlighting our Spring Interns! Meet Hunter and Nathan.
A Light of Hope | Nicaragua School Update
Parents, teachers, and community members in Nicaragua are banding together to revitalize a cornerstone of their community: their local school.
Earth Day Means the World to Us
Don’t just take our word for it — check out some of the ways we care for the planet while ALSO addressing poverty-related issues!
Ground-Breaking Work | Nepal Project Expansion
In December 2020, Human Development Facilitators (HDFs) from our program partner in Nepal began investigations to explore which communities they should expand their program work to next!
Pensions that Build Confidence | India Project Update
The government in India provides monthly pensions for all eligible widows, elders, and handicapped individuals; unfortunately, they are oftentimes difficult to access and sometimes the individuals that can apply for them don’t know that they exist.
Harvesting Change | Zambia Crop Yield
Treadle pumps yield more than crops for Oliver and community members in Kapisha, Zambia!
A Bright Idea: Solar Powered Street Lights
Community members collaborated, identified the issue, mobilized to solve it, and met with a resource agency to install solar powered street lights in the village.
New Kids on the Block | Malawi Goats Project
There is a new kind of litter patrol in Ofesi, Malawi. Residents in the community of Ofesi worked together to identify insufficient sources of income as a community issue. Ofesi’s solution? Goats.
Women Leaders | Meet Adelayda and Martha / Conoce a Adelayda Y Martha
As a part of our #womenwhowow series in celebration of International Women's Day, meet community-builders Adelayda and Martha from Nicaragua.
Medical Post | Health is Wealth Worth Striving For | Nicaragua Project Update
A new medical post is up and running in Coyolar, Nicaragua, thanks to the incredible persistence of the community Health Group!
Meet Clementina/Kumanyeni Clementina
As a part of our #womenwhowow series in celebration of International Women's Day, meet Clementina - an educator and fashionista from Zambia.
School’s Back in Session in Haiti | Haiti School
While many school teachers in Haiti went without pay for months during school closures, Outreach continued to support the dedicated teachers in our School Program.
A Development Rite of Passage | DR Congo
Three communities in DR Congo have reached an important milestone in their development story.
Meet Krishala / कृषलालाई भेट्नुहोस् !
As a part of our #womenwhowow series in celebration of International Women's Day, meet Krishala from Nepal!
Blossoming Growth | 2 New HDFs in Cambodia
In October 2020, our program partner team in Cambodia added two more Human-Development Facilitators (HDFs) to their team, Phonam and Tito.
Meet Liezl
As a part of our #womenwhowow series in celebration of International Women's Day, meet a renowned community leader from the Philippines.
Story Book Ending | Philippines Project Update
With the support of Outreach Philippines Incorporated (OPI) staff, two communities, gained access to more than 5,000 books from Philippines-based bookstores.
Irrigation Celebration | Bolivia Project Update
After 16 more months of preparation and fundraising, the APROAVA farmers received the first distribution of irrigation supplies in March 2020, including 68 fuel-powered water pumps (one for each family).
Malawi Mask Making
Here’s something extraordinarily cool: during Spring/Summer 2020 Outreach community members started mask-making en masse; keeping themselves and their neighbors safe (and stylish!).
(F)empowered
The numbers are in: Women are showing up to lead community development, worldwide.
Creating Oral Health Awareness in the Philippines
Did you know that February is Oral Health Awareness month? See how our community partners in the Philippines celebrated.
Internal Transformation | The Skills to Pay the Bills
One of the most beautiful and subtle components of Outreach’s work is the interior transformation found within communities taking an active role in addressing the issues they face.
Isolation Motivation
What’s easier than getting motivated? STAYING motivated! Outreach donors Brenda and Dan set up their very own 18-week “Isolation Motivation” program for a good cause!
UC Berkeley Engineers Without Borders Event
UC Berkeley Engineers Without Borders team hosted a virtual event featuring special guests, musical performances and a raffle to support communities in Nicaragua.
What’s an HDF?
What's an "HDF"? Short answer: "Human Development Facilitators"! For a slightly longer answer, check out this informative blog post!
“Why We Give” – Insights from Donors
What inspires Outreach donors to give? We asked, you answered -- turns out, there are lots of reasons to donate, and all of them are good.
Manuel in the Mirror
This recent reflection from a new member of La Leona, Nicaragua's community-led team is insight for sore eyes.
A Virtual Zoom-a-Thon!
Our friends at Shawnee Drive Community of Christ usually host a big, in-person luau each year. But this year, they hosted a virtual Zoom-A-Thon and still raised big bucks!
Tree Cheers for Reforestation in Bolivia
Community-led teams in Bolivia fill the ground with new life, and fill their horizons with new opportunities.
Plans Change, Hope Persists
Simple solutions for complicated times in every corner of the Outreach-iverse.
Meet the Guests of Outreach Connect!
Outreach Connect, our first-ever virtual gala, is right around the corner. Here are a few of the folks you'll meet during our big night.
Colburn Road Hosts Annual Chili Cook-Off
Colbern Road Community of Christ figured out a smart, safe way to host their well-loved annual chili cook-off Outreach fundraiser this year.
Good News Travels in Nicaragua
How one community in Nicaragua is empowering its neighbors while continuing to build momentum toward its own goals.
With Honors: Pupils Become Practitioners
What happens when a community becomes self-sustaining? Pomp, circumstance, empowerment, unity, and a big celebration, among other great things.
Malawi Hand-washing
Communities in Malawi complete their "Bucket List" to promote healthy habits and improve hygiene for all.
Mask-Makers | Maskimum Empowerment in Africa
Across Africa, communities are sewing masks and sowing empowerment. Learn how to generate both for yourself with our handy how-to chart!
Letter from the CEO: Ready for Good News?
Need a reason to feel hopeful? How about four of them?
Haiti Schools Feeding Programs Are Fulfilling
Plenty of mouths to feed, and even more smiles to share in Outreach's Haiti Schools Feeding Program.
Rice for Everyone in the Philippines
When is a meal more than just food? When it is part of a community-run rice-loan program, nourishing families, as well as teamwork!
Many Hands Make Light Work in DR Congo
How are communities in DR Congo reaching their goals? By being great at everything.
The Need to Meet: Community-Led Development & the Value of In-Person Meetings
Outreach's Elene Cloete explains how communities keep up their good work when the going gets tough. It's FASCINATING.
COVID Collaboration in Cambodia
Partners in Cambodia get together for community meetings, and gather strength for the work ahead.
Digging Up Treasure in Bolivia’s Greenhouses
Two years after building 22 greenhouses, a community in Bolivia celebrates new growth.
Safe Water Plus Partners with Nicaragua
Darrell Ward, president of Safe Water Plus, has made the most of his enthusiastic partnership with our program partners in Nicaragua.
Fields of Expertise | Irrigation in Ghodabadi
How does a community-led team in India irrigate their crops? They harness a few rivers, and go with the flow.
Veggie Tunnels in Nepal
Veggie tunnels generate all kinds of green in Nepal.
Father’s Day in the Philippines
How much can two dads do? Turns out, quite a bit.
Ceramic Water Filter
Let’s take a quick dip into another successful outcome achieved by our community partners… the water’s fine!
From the CEO: Hope Endures
When distance brings us closer together.
Clementina Empowers Others
How a team of empowered women in Zambia are ensuring everyone in their community faces COVID-19 while wearing a proper face-mask.
Zambia Community Center
After contributing a lot of collective brainpower, strategic planning and elbow grease, our community partners from Kayowelo, Zambia celebrated the grand opening of their brand-new community center!
COVID-19: Worldwide Updates from Communities
Updates on the work underway throughout Outreach-affiliated communities to combat the spread of COVID-19, and ensure the wellbeing of our partners.
The Solar Express | A Clean Water Source
Who knew the sun could be such a big help in bringing a reliable source of clean, safe water to a community? Partners from DR Congo, that's who.
Celebrating Augustin
Our friend Augustin, who worked as Outreach’s in-country representative in Haiti from 1994 until his recent passing, oversaw the effectiveness and efficiency of all the details of our work there.
Co-Habitation in Cambodia
Habitat for Humanity Cambodia and Outreach-affiliated community partners work together to turn houses into homes, and homes into habitats.
Thank U, Text – Adult Literacy in DR Congo
Women from DR Congo master the "three r's" of adult literacy: Reading, Writing and Revolution!
A Loan Together | Low-Interest Loans in Nicaragua
How residents in La Leona replaced high interest rates with greater regard for one another.
Something Real and True | Development in Zambia
Outreach Zambia community partner Benjamin reflects on his time as a teammate and development in to a local leader, and likes what he sees.
Meet Aurelia
Every day, Aurelia and her husband Norberto have one job: Support their family. It’s a humble goal made ambitious by the number of seats around their dinner table — seven children, and two sets of in-laws with no other sources of income.
Meet Chev
For the first few years of her life, Chev's family collected their supply of potable water from an uncovered, unfiltered communal well. The reliability of the water’s source was countered by the ongoing uncertainty of its safety.
Meet Kalima
First, Kalima found her voice, and then everyone began to listen.
Meet Antonio
When Antonio first began to attend Outreach-facilitated meetings in his community in the Philippines, he did so with an eye toward resolving his own personal problems.
Haiti School Reconstruction
What it takes, and what it means, to rebuild a school in Haiti.
Superflour in DR Congo Provides Nutrition
A mother puts food on her table, and the tables of children throughtout her community.
Clementina Threads the Needle
When it comes to inspirational stories from our communities, it is hard to find one more affecting than Clementina’s journey.
5 Ways to Fight Poverty
More than half the world lives on less than $2 a day. It's a startling truth that can sometimes make us feel helpless. Yet poverty can and must be fought.
Open House at Outreach Event Space!
Outreach International recently opened the brand new Outreach Event Space in the Crossroads of Kansas City with an open house party!
Empowered: Outreach’s Community Partners
Speaking em-truth to empowerment.
Global Hand Washing Day
Community partners in the Philippines harnessed funding from the successful partnership between Outreach and Dial from Global Handwashing Day 2016 to jumpstart a community-wide water system. We love it when a plan comes together.
Clean Water in Nicaragua
Outreach community partners in Nicaragua faced an ongoing dilemma: In order to find clean water for bathing, cooking, and cleaning, they had to travel long distances, carry heavy jugs, and eat into hours when they could be earning a living or completing other chores.
Global Hand-Washing Day
Outreach International is thrilled to continue our partnership with Dial for another year to celebrate Global Handwashing Day.
One, Tube, Three
Tube wells: Explained! Community-led implementation for community-wide benefit: Explored! Sustainable solutions to previously persistent issues: Achieved!
Get Wells Soon | Clean Water in DR Congo
How do you bring clean water to 1,800 people in DR Congo? Start with some facilitation from Outreach, and stir in planning, teamwork, dedication and a generous gift from Dial in celebration of Global Handwashing Day 2016. Spoiler: It turns out, uh, well.
Staff Q&A: Mwila from Outreach Zambia
Join Mwila from Zambia as she guides us through her Staff Q&A, and enjoy the sense of empowerment that lingers long after you finish reading.
Stomping Out Poverty | Treadle Pumps In Zambia
Community members in Zambia step up to a pedal-powered solution to keeping crops quenched.
Congrats, Dennis Labayen!
Our dear friend and colleague, Dennis Labayen, retired from his official capacity with Outreach at the end of last week, after serving for more than 36 years.
Kalima’s Buffalo Brood
A buffalo-nanza of sustainable revenue streams for one of Outreach's favorite world-changers.
Malachite Artisans Going Green
For once, art and commerce make a great team.
Balance by Sharon Gutierrez
An entrepreneur endeavors to provide good, as well as gifts.
A Sparkling Debut | A Clear Water Source
Replacing dirty water with a clear solution.
Aim High, Sell ‘llo
How to save a life, using only your wits and a water buffalo.
From the CEO: A New Generation of Hope
Once more, with feeling.
M-bracing MPATs M-plementation
MPAT, or the Multi-Dimensional Poverty Assessment Tool, is the most comprehensive method to measure poverty's presence in a community, then quantify and assess the results of the efforts and methods employed as all parties work toward building a stronger, more prosperous future.
Calling All Cards
Partners in India work hard for work-cards.
Service to Others, Service to All: Our Volunteers, in Their Own Words
Speaking from the heart!
Meet Luz Dania from Nicaragua
Luz Diana inspires us faster than we expected in our first Staff Q&A.
From the CEO: Stewardship, Partnership, Friendship
Growing closer to positive outcomes, and to each other.
Meet Michel from Congo
Michel brings wisdom to spare in another classic Outreach Staff Q&A.
Gary Logan Goes the Distance
Helping the human race, one marathon at a time.
Making (of) a Splash – Before & After a Water Well
Community-led development, in vibrant technicolor!
Meet Rashmi from India
Country Coordinator Rashmi takes a moment out of saving the world to indulge us for her Staff Q&!
Hot Shots with Wayne Rowe
Show-and-tell with Outreach's intrepid shutterbug.
From the Magazine: 1,000* Words with Wayne Rowe
Outreach's go-to humanitarian photographer Wayne Rowe takes a closer look at his work, and a wider view of his subjects' lives,
Ready, Set, Good: Sushila Puts Theory into Practice in Nepal
Cross-cultural confabs confer concrete conclusions.
Looking Inward, Speaking Outreach: Our Teammates in Their Own Words
Insights from our teammates around the world, found in quiet moments between triumphs.
Outreach Says “ReLACS”
The journey to an organized, empowered future starts with a single, busted Suzuki.
Shatto Milk and Ronald MacDonald House
KC-based Shatto Milk Company has teamed up with Outreach International and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City for the dual deliciousness of selflessness and Chocolate Peanut Butter — two great tastes that taste great together.
Windermere’s Zoo-manitarian Prep Rally
Ready, Pet, Good.
Class, in Session: 12 Days of Giving for High School Students
Los estudiantes ponen sus donaciones caritativas donde está su boca.
G. Scott Lacy’s Joyful Noises
A longtime Outreach donor's symphony of support.
Outreach Ink-ernational with Stan and Gina Zeamer
Inking locally, acting globally.
This is Not a Joke
Q: Knock-knock. A: Whos there Q: Outreach. A: Outreach Who Q: Outreach Nepal, where we just expanded to bring our unique, proven approach to resolving chronic poverty to a whole new part of the world.
The ABCs of HDFs in Nepal
Get aquainted with the 10 newest members of the Outreach family as they kick off our expansion into Nepal.
Speaking Voluntarily
To celebrate National Volunteer Week, Outreach is proud to share a few examples of our volunteers' extraordinary grace and ingenuity. We couldn't do any of this without you! Literally! We're donor-supported!
Superflour, Superpower
Nourishment for all, from the ground-up.
Mama’s Family: Emeldah’s Story
Raising children, and lifting them higher.
Big Shoes: Filled
Walking tall and going far with Veronica.
Kids Give Goats and Farm Animals
When a Sunday school class was challenged to buy goats for Outreach, they went above and beyond.
Fill ‘er Up: Tips, Tricks, and Unhelpful Suggestions for Filling Your Shatto Milk Bottle
This year, thanks to a partnership between Outreach and Shatto Milk, we can combine our two loves!
To Stir, with Love
The most inspirational story ever written about tomatoes.
The Ripe Stuff
You say "tomato;" partners in the Philippines say "another sustainable symbol of community-led development."
The Busy Season
Doing more with more in Malawi.
Elements of Empowerment
Finding new horizons among Bolivia's harsh landscape.
Empowered: Outreach’s Longtime Supporters
Hindsight, foresight and insights from those who know us best.
Permanent Good: Outreach’s Legacy Circle
Planting ahead for future growth.
It’s-a Degree, Mario!
An Outreach facilitator enounters a high bar in his efforts to earn a law degree, and passes it.
A Rising Tide in Villa Corazon
Making streams come true in the Philippines.
From the CEO: Empowerful
Power shifts for the better.
Beginners’ Luck
Tess and Badet get some goats and bring order to their lives, your life, and the nature of the universe itself.
A Class Act in Haiti
Finishing work and starting the party at a new school in Haiti.
Meet Arnoldo
At the end of this post, he gives the best advice we've ever heard.
Bolivia’s Snapshots Will Make You Clap Lots
New developments come into focus.
Meet Lumu
Reaching out and making new connections with a mobile literacy class in Nepal.
Fishing Lessons
Angling for more than metaphors in the Philippines.
Meet Evelyn
A small miracle grows up.
Lights, Cambodia, Action!
What we do before we do what we do in a new country.
Extending Our Reach, Expanding Our Horizons
Renovating a building, and creating structure to support the weight of an empowered world.
Ladies’ Might: The Empowered Women of Outreach
Some of the women and girls in communities around the world who are too brilliant and busy to wait for permission.
Remembering Lorna
Outreach International announced today that Lorna Labayen – physician, humanitarian and most recently Outreach International Senior Field Consultant – passed away at the age of 65 on April 10, 2012 in Independence, Missouri, after succumbing to cancer.
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