Empowerment at our Kenya Conference!
Digital is not always best. Since our start in 2016, Cultivate’s programs have been offered online, so that anyone, anywhere, can access them. But nothing can replace true human connection, the kind that can only be created when we spend time together. I recently had the opportunity to travel to Kenya, where I spent two…
Read MoreA Bit of News
I’ve been struggling with how to begin: how should I make this information public, and what is important to share. My hope is that through honesty and openness, your trust in me and my work with Cultivate will be strengthened. How it Began I started Cultivate in 2016 after dreaming of doing so for several…
Read MoreHeroes Are Merely Human
We like to look at heroes and point to the leaders who “changed everything for the better.” If you take a moment to think of a few heroes, you might come up with names throughout history of men and women who have been heroes of science, or humanity, or of your faith. We look at…
Read MoreA Clearer Purpose and Direction
Robert did not have any formal training on how to effectively serve his community until working with Cultivate. His community organization is working to address extreme poverty in Kampala, Uganda. Because of Cultivate, Robert is learning how to manage his time better, improve his computer skills, and set clear goals for himself and his organization. He…
Read MoreFrom Start to Sustainability: The Program Design and Implementation Process
Wouldn’t it be nice if we were given step by step instructions for our life? If we could just follow a preset plan each day? For some of us, that sounds like a dream. Wake up, look at a list, see if you are on track with your life plan, and adjust if necessary. For those…
Read MoreThe Challenges of Funding for International Development
There are many challenges international development organizations face. Often, they work in a context where poverty and oppression are commonplace for most members of the community, and where the lack of infrastructure, good governance, and human resources creates even more difficulties. However, for most nonprofits and NGOs, having adequate funding is still the biggest challenge…
Read MoreCultivate A Different Kind of Holiday Season
There has been so much talk about how this holiday season is going to be different because of the shipping delays and the break in the supply chain. You may not be able to order the “IT” gift in time, or the chocolate you serve every Christmas may be stuck in transit in some port…
Read MoreTrying a Different Approach
How can we best work with communities and their members to produce lasting change? We must ensure they are the ones driving and determining what happens to their community.
Read MoreOvercoming Learned Helplessness
How can we support people in finding ways to overcome their dependency and helplessness even when they are not the ones to blame? The process of overcoming helplessness and dependency starts with the heart and mind, and is anchored in hope.
Read MoreSelf-Reflection: Time Management
How Do You Manage Your Time? In our intro course, we ask our trainees to evaluate their time management. Whether you are in a culture that highly values time, or in a culture where time is held more loosely, your relationship to time is important. As leaders of nonprofits, NGOs, and community-based organizations, we likely have…
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