Global Enrichment Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Global Enrichment Foundation, founded by Amanda Lindhout
in May 2010, is dedicated to developing strengths already within women in developing and conflict-ridden countries to assist them in changing their lives. Lindhout currently serves as the organization's Executive Director. Lindhout said to CBC
's The National, "I've never questioned whether or not it was the right thing to do... What else to do after the experience that I had, than something like this?"
During her captivity, Lindhout says that she gained keen insights into how poverty and lack of education has destroyed Somalia, which, in 2010, was the poorest nation in the world. She sees the issues of children becoming soldiers in Africa as directly connected to a broader lack of educational opportunities. Lindhout believes the teenage Somali boys who kidnapped her were a product of their environment. “I used to wonder how they would have been different if they had had the opportunity to have an education, to understand something of a broader world view and learn something about tolerance,” she said.
Lindhout established a donation-funded scholarship program, The Somali Women's Scholarship Program as a means to empower the most oppressed section of Somali society and create female leadership through university education. In 2011 the GEF is sponsoring the university education of 36 women who will go to become doctors, teachers, environmentalists and engineers. In 2011 the GEF launched SHE WILL,a micro-loan initiative for female Somali refugees in Kenya, with a goal of creating economic empowerment for widows and other women severely affected by poverty. In May of 2011 the GEF became the sponsor of one of Somalia's only female basketball teams, The Sankaroos; providing uniforms, balls, hoops, and other equipment- supporting female leadership through sport.
In response to the current crisis in Somalia, the GEF has branched into famine relief through it's Convoy for Hope program. The program recently received a US$1 million donation from the Chobani Yoghurt company.
Recently a group of high school students in Alberta raised over $23,000 to support the GEF's educational work.
Amanda Lindhout
Amanda Lindhout is a Canadian humanitarian and former freelance journalist who was kidnapped on August 23, 2008 in Somalia...
in May 2010, is dedicated to developing strengths already within women in developing and conflict-ridden countries to assist them in changing their lives. Lindhout currently serves as the organization's Executive Director. Lindhout said to CBC
Canadian Broadcasting Centre
The Canadian Broadcasting Centre, located in Toronto, Ontario, is the broadcast headquarters and master control point for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's English-language television and radio services...
's The National, "I've never questioned whether or not it was the right thing to do... What else to do after the experience that I had, than something like this?"
During her captivity, Lindhout says that she gained keen insights into how poverty and lack of education has destroyed Somalia, which, in 2010, was the poorest nation in the world. She sees the issues of children becoming soldiers in Africa as directly connected to a broader lack of educational opportunities. Lindhout believes the teenage Somali boys who kidnapped her were a product of their environment. “I used to wonder how they would have been different if they had had the opportunity to have an education, to understand something of a broader world view and learn something about tolerance,” she said.
Lindhout established a donation-funded scholarship program, The Somali Women's Scholarship Program as a means to empower the most oppressed section of Somali society and create female leadership through university education. In 2011 the GEF is sponsoring the university education of 36 women who will go to become doctors, teachers, environmentalists and engineers. In 2011 the GEF launched SHE WILL,a micro-loan initiative for female Somali refugees in Kenya, with a goal of creating economic empowerment for widows and other women severely affected by poverty. In May of 2011 the GEF became the sponsor of one of Somalia's only female basketball teams, The Sankaroos; providing uniforms, balls, hoops, and other equipment- supporting female leadership through sport.
In response to the current crisis in Somalia, the GEF has branched into famine relief through it's Convoy for Hope program. The program recently received a US$1 million donation from the Chobani Yoghurt company.
Recently a group of high school students in Alberta raised over $23,000 to support the GEF's educational work.