International Trends and Services
OVERVIEW
The primary goal of the International Trends and Services Facet is to provide opportunities for tangible service in other countries. Our "boots on the ground" approach provides more personalized support to improve the lives of women, children, and men worldwide through long-term programs committed to empowerment and public policy leadership in advancing social justice.
Education Across the Miles
Since 1996, The Links, Incorporated, has built, refurbished, and furnished educational materials to over 60 schools in South Africa, successfully making a direct and significant impact on the lives of thousands of African students and families. Contact with these schools continues today as The Links, Incorporated positions itself to adopt four schools in Liberia, West Africa – the Todee School, the AME University, the School for the Blind, and the Ann Sandell School. Through in-kind donations, monetary support, and the lending of professional expertise in curriculum and lesson plan development, we will aid in the reestablishment of the Liberian educational system, which was decimated by many years of civil war.
LOCAL PROGRAMS
In 2018, our Chapter established The Liberian Reading Room to expand the Chapter’s global presence and address an education gap in Barnersville, Monrovia, Liberia. We also support the National Signature Program: Education Across the Miles.
The key objectives for The Liberian Reading Room Program are as follows:
- Provide free access to quality books and educational materials, so the community can discover the joy of reading and lifelong learning.
- Provide tutoring and literacy support to community members struggling to read.
- Serve as a nutrition center for the children in attendance by providing hot meals.
- Donations of dental and personal hygiene kits and instruction
The Liberian Reading Room program, sponsored by the Mount Rose (MD) Chapter’s International Trends Facet, has received five national-level awards from The Links Incorporated, including two second-place awards, one third-place programming award, and two Best Practices in Programming awards.
