Our
Guiding Principles
Collective Wisdom and Responsibility
We believe in the collective wisdom of the communities we work with, as they are the experts of their own realities. We recognize that we have a collective responsibility to take care of one another based upon our common humanity, as we concern ourselves with the health and lives of not only our local community but our global one.
Investing in People and Communities
Real change happens when change comes from within the communities themselves. By investing in the knowledge and skills of the people living in remote areas, systemic change begins to chip away at the turning wheel of injustice and break the cycle of poverty. By leading our work with integrity and transparency, we value building relationships with our global hearts community and being good stewards of the resources that are shared with us.
Dignity and Solidarity
We believe that community-led solutions are the most effective way to address challenges that are faced. With experience and knowledge of their environment, local leaders work alongside field personnel who live in the regions where we work, embedded in both the challenges and successes of the area. Rooted in the community and acknowledging the dignity of each person, we accompany and build with communities to develop long-term solutions in health care, water, education and economic opportunities.
“Go to the people. Live with them. Learn from them. Love them. Start with what they know. Build with what they have. But with the best leaders, when the work is done, the task accomplished, the people will say, ‘We have done this ourselves.”
– Lao Tzu
