WorldLink Accomplishments

This innovative, community-based education program impacts 1,000 to 2,000 students directly each year. As these students continue their education, they go on to pursue careers in international relations, peace studies, conflict resolution and other related fields, representing young people's voices.

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Building a Generation of Global Leaders

Former WorldLink intern Harin Song receives Cornell University’s JFK Award for her commitment to the promotion of international human rights. Having already worked for recognized organizations such as CARE International and Doctors Without Borders, Song credits WorldLink for inspiring her to become a human rights advocate at an early age.

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Zealan Hoover, a sophomore at University of North Carolina, was awarded one of the university’s most prestigious scholarships. Although he was admitted to UNC in the fall of 2008, he spent a self-designated gap year to intern for the Obama campaign at the Chicago headquarters, and spent the following semester teaching rural youth in Senegal before officially starting his freshman year of college. To read more about his experience as a teacher, click here.

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Emi Koch, a junior at Georgetown University, was a 2007 WorldLink intern and became so inspired by the program that she went on to form her own nonprofit organization, Beyond the Surface International, which works to eradicate youth homelessness in coastal communities worldwide to empower street children and disadvantaged youth through the sport of surfing. The organization currently has programs in Peru, India and South Africa.

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Recognized Education Model

The WorldLink program officer and Summer Interns were featured on the Your Family Matters online radio show hosted by Keith Kanner on Wednesday, July 28, 2010. The WorldLink team discussed plans for the 2010-2011 theme, “Crimes Without Borders: Threats to Human Security,” in anticipation of the WorldLink Research presentations. Listen here.

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WorldLink was recognized as a program that is "making changes to things that matter" by the CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation. In June 2008, Program Officer Karla Alvarez joined over 600 international delegates for the CIVICUS Youth and World Assemblies in Glasgow, Scotland.   In 1999, WorldLink was awarded the Women’s International Center’s Living Legacy Award. WorldLink staff are frequently asked to share its successful model during national and international conferences.

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Programmatic Expansion

After 14 years of successfully strengthening local youth leadership, WorldLink has begun to reach out to youth in other countries.

Mindanao, Philippines   In April 2010, WorldLink held youth assemblies in Mindanao, Philippines, at the invitation of WPM Mary Ann Arnado. The workshop series explored concerns regarding the conflict area, particularly for youth engaged in conflict transformation. A series of interviews led to the creation of a short film documenting their views and ideas for building a peaceful Mindanao.   Trailer | Full-length movie

Nanyuki, Kenya

“Karibu! Hello, my name is Mercy. Welcome to Daraja.”

Then came Faith, Joan, Molly, Everlyn, Hadija … until 77 warm hugs and bright smiles greeted former IPJ Program Officer Karla Alvarez and a delegation of USD students and staff to the Daraja Academy in Nanyuki, Kenya. In partnership with USD’s School of Education and Leadership Sciences (SOLES), the IPJ’s WorldLink Program was invited to lead a series of workshops on leadership, gender, school success and global education at the secondary school.

Daraja, Swahili for “bridge,” was founded by educator and USD and WorldLink alum Jason Doherty, who wanted to provide an education for girls with limited means in Kenya. Three years ago, he and his wife Jenni selected the first 26 academically accomplished girls from across Kenya to comprise Form 1, the equivalent of freshman level in high school. Now, the campus thrives with 77 girls and 11 dedicated teachers.

It takes only a few hours to understand why these young women are referred to as WISH – Women of Integrity, Strength and Hope. Many of the Daraja students come from broken homes and extreme poverty. Were it not for Daraja’s free high school education – including meals, school supplies and room and board – they would likely remain in their hometowns not attending school and forced to work.

“There is a real hunger for education here,” shares one of the teachers. And it is visible everywhere on campus. A highly structured schedule means the girls begin with daily chores at 6 a.m., followed by breakfast at 7 and school for eight hours. An hour is provided for physical activity, followed by dinner and three hours of study hall. By 10 p.m., lights are turned off and the students return to their dorms.

Despite the long days, the girls are genuinely appreciative of a Daraja education. They enthusiastically wash clothes by hand, sort beans and clean the dining halls. They do not complain, or yearn for leisure time. Their limited spare time is usually spent studying.

Given Daraja’s goal to support young women's pursuit of an education, the school provided a platform to continue building on WorldLink's programmatic expansion. In February 2011, three M.A. students from SOLES worked with Alvarez to develop a documentary questionnaire and workshop. The team interviewed 15 Daraja students, learning about their families, values and goals for improving Kenya.

All 77 students then participated in a WorldLink workshop which explored their concerns on various social justice issues. The discussions highlighted frustration and concern over the lack of access to education, especially for young women, and limited job prospects in Kenya. However, the students are also acutely aware of their potential as youth and the role they play in the future of their country. They see education as the most vital step in improving their society and are committed to expanding opportunities for other young people's education in order to create a wiser, stronger generation of youth to lead Kenya.

Following the 2011 visit, WorldLink Interns reviewed the footage taken while in Kenya to create a documentary highlighting these young women's stories and dedication to make a difference in their communities.

Full-length movie

Click here to view a Flickr album of the trip!