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The MAMA HOPE Difference: Highly Refined Placements, Specialized Training & A Unique Approach A Unique, Custom Match Process for Project Placement One of the first questions we always get is: “Where will I go for full-time placement?”. The answer is that we work with you and our communities to understand experience and needs, then we do our best to create a great match. We have 13 community partners in 5 countries, and we're growing every year — so there are many possible outcomes for you. We match your experience and interests with our on the ground projects and opportunities, to help ensure both the Advocate and our partners have the best possible working relationship. It's better for you, and better for communities to have this unique matchmaking process, and it is unique among development fellowship programs. You'll see in our rigorous application and interview process that we work to understand you as well as we know our partners, so we can ensure that a great match is made. Class 12 Advocate Megan Sonier had a passion for permaculture. We were able to place her with a partner in Kenya that sought to expand their permaculture projects to help ensure sustainability for the school and community. Megan used her planning and implementation experience in farming, as well as her Advocate curriculum work while she was in country. The work she was doing was so heartfelt, her community at home was 100% behind her in her project and helped connect them to the community in Kenya. Aligning the stars to connect passions and progress is part of what makes our program unique. We're here to help everyone reach their greatest potential. Specialized Training & Mentorship Throughout Your Experience For MAMA HOPE, our partners' well-being is paramount, and so we work hard to ensure advocates have the social emotional and practical skills needed to tread lightly, respectfully, and still make a major impact. And once in the field, Advocates' mentorship continues — with staff always on hand to support with answers, or a shoulder to lean on when cultural differences feel unfamiliar and disorienting. Our model is a unique mix of experience, mentorship, training and placement. A Unique Mindset MAMA HOPE maintains uniquely connected relationships with our community partners; we are truly one big, dynamic family. This is because we approach all our partners as friends first, and project collaborators second. As a result, our partners extend to us, and each of our Global Advocates, a warm and loving family-style welcome. As an Advocate, you will stay in their homes, you'll find them tending to you if you fall sick, they'll check in on you years after you've left the program. It sounds odd to say, but this close and curated relationship with loving introductions is not the norm with fellowships that are business oriented. You will become part of their community, and all the while, you'll have access to the MAMA HOPE programs and Advocate staff to help ensure you're finding your way through your time in country. We are here to help you succeed — in your time in country, during your curriculum training, and even after — as you transition back and begin on your journey to your future career. How can we help you find yourself a world away? Contact us to open a conversation today! Global Advocates James Kirima, Mercy Mushi, and Aika Nkya Curriculum » Apply Now » Global Advocate Alumni »

Application Information Thank you for your interest in the Global Advocate Program! The application window is currently closed. If you are interested in participating in one of our future classes, we encourage you to check back in soon! In the mean time, you can visit our FAQ page for detailed information about the program and sign up to receive our newsletter here. If you have any questions about the program, please email global@mamahope.org.

Global Advocate Program Frequently Asked Questions ABOUT THE PROGRAM What is the Global Advocate Program?  The Global Advocate Program exists to equip a community of activists and allies worldwide to drive forward community-led change and decolonize international development.  In this 8-month fellowship program, participants are trained in community-led development, fundraising, and advocacy through a rigorous virtual curriculum. They then continue their learning hands-on alongside grassroots leaders at Mama Hope partner organizations across the globe. Global Advocates graduate to become part of a worldwide network of organizations and individuals advocating for community-led change. What is the difference between National and International Global Advocates? National Advocates are citizens of and currently reside in the countries where Mama Hope’s community partners live and work: Guatemala, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, or Ghana. They will be placed with a partner organization in that country. International Advocates represent countries outside of those that Mama Hope has partner organizations in.  The Global Advocate Program will pair National Advocates with International Advocates, to work and learn together at one partner organization throughout the program. What are the three phases of the program? What is the time commitment? The time commitment for the program is 8 months. Phase One: Cultivate (Months 1-3) As an introduction to community-led development, fundraising, and Mama Hope, all Global Advocates participate in a 5-day intensive in-person training. After the training, all Global Advocates spend three months completing a thorough virtual curriculum alongside their cohorts, tailored for relevance to their geographical location and background.  Through regular communication with their partner organization, Global Advocates start familiarizing themselves with their partner organization, their work, and the community they serve. Partners may also engage Global Advocates in strategic and financial planning discussions during this time, however, this is encouraged only as introductory learning. National Global Advocates are expected to spend one day each week working directly with their partners. As a pair, Global Advocates fundraise towards a goal of $25,000USD, to be fully dedicated to their partner organization. Holistic training and support is provided by Mama Hope staff and Global Advocate Alumni to assist Global Advocates in reaching this goal. (~20 hours per week) Phase Two: Germinate (Months 4-6) Global Advocates begin full-time work at their partner placements in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana or Guatemala. With assistance from Mama Hope staff, Global Advocates and partners create work plans that align with the current needs of the partner organization. This may involve ongoing support in partner-identified areas and focus on skill-sharing in the Global Advocates’ areas of expertise. Global Advocates are required to live within the community they serve in order to gain stronger insight and build deeper relationships. (Full-time; 40+ hours per week) Phase Three: Harvest (Month 7-8) Global Advocates finish their placement and complete a curriculum focused on career development, self-reflection, and evaluation of ethical careers in international development. Global Advocate pairs complete a final presentation, including a storytelling element for their donors and home communities.  (~10 hours per week) How much time would I spend in a full-time placement?  During Phase 2, Each Global Advocate spends three months living and working alongside their partner organization in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, or Guatemala. Where are the placements and who decides where I will go?  Global Advocates are carefully matched with Mama Hope’s partner organizations in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, and Guatemala. Take a look here for more information about Mama Hope’s partner organizations and refer to the application for current placements, as placements vary for each class of Global Advocates. International applicants may indicate in their interview which countries they are interested in working in. This informs the matching process but does not guarantee a placement in any given country or community. How does Mama Hope find their partners?  Mama Hope finds our partners in a variety of ways, including word of mouth and referrals from our current partners. We conduct a sustainability assessment with each prospective partner, in order to ensure that their efforts are aligned with Mama Hope’s values and sustainability initiatives. All Global Advocate placement organizations have been vetted by Mama Hope staff to ensure that their projects are locally-led, the community is safe, and the presence of a Global Advocate will add value. Can the organization I work for / volunteer for / founded be involved? How can my organization get involved?  Mama Hope firmly believes in the power of collaboration between like-minded organizations. Global Advocates are only placed with organizations that are already established through Mama Hope’s partnership process. Please contact us to learn more about our partnership assessment process and start a conversation about how we might collaborate under the Global Advocate Program. How does the curriculum work and what would I learn? National and International Global Advocates complete a thorough virtual curriculum alongside their class, tailored for relevance to their geographical location and background.  The weekly curriculum is structured around reading, reflection, and discussion via video conferencing. Topics in the First Phase include personal development, the history of aid, community-led development, decolonizing international development, and more. Topics in the Third Phase include career development, self-reflection, and evaluation of ethical careers in international development. How many other Global Advocates will be in my class? Will any of them have the same placement as me? Due to Mama Hope’s holistic approach, the number of Global Advocates in each class varies. We keep the classes small so we can maintain the quality of the program by offering our Global Advocates personalized staff and alumni mentorship. Class sizes and placements are determined by the priorities of each of our partners at the beginning of each class. The average size is 8-10 people, with 4-5 pairs of one International Advocate and one National Advocate each.  Just like class sizes, placements vary with each class. It is possible that multiple Global Advocates will be placed in the same city or country. What will I do with my partner organization?  With assistance from Mama Hope staff, Global Advocates and partners create work plans that align with the current needs of the partner organization. This may involve ongoing support in partner-identified areas and focus on skill-sharing in the Global Advocates’ areas of expertise. Global Advocates are consistently guided and supported by their partners and Mama Hope staff in the community-led development process. Mama Hope provides adaptive support to the initiatives of our community partners at a pace that works for them, and Global Advocates are expected to view their role in the same way. Mama Hope is not an implementation organization. As such, Global Advocates are encouraged not to view their support as a “project” to be completed, which incorrectly expresses ownership of initiatives run by our community partners. What happens when I finish the program?  The Mama Hope staff helps prepare Global Advocates to take the next steps in their professional development, whether that’s job searching, applying for advanced degrees, or starting organizations or companies. Many Global Advocates graduate to careers in public and nonprofit sectors, where they bring awareness to transformative approaches to social justice. Upon completion of the program, Global Advocates have access to the Global Advocate Alumni Network. This network is a community of graduated fellows that share a wide range of professional resources, networks, and experiences. What is the fundraising requirement? As a pair, National and International Global Advocates fundraise towards a goal of $25,000 USD, to be fully dedicated to their partner organization. This fundraising is not for expenses related to the Global Advocate. Holistic training and support is provided by Mama Hope staff and Global Advocate Alumni to assist Global Advocates in reaching this goal. Mama Hope acknowledges that fundraising norms and practices vary among communities around the world and works with each Global Advocate to create appropriate strategies. We believe that capital comes in many forms, and we work with each partner to create fundraising goals that include in-kind donations and local assets.  What happens if I don’t raise $25,000? Mama Hope provides comprehensive training and support to help Global Advocates reach the fundraising goal. There are no penalties for not reaching the goal, as long as it is clear that individuals are making every effort. If this is not the case, Mama Hope staff will re-evaluate the Global Advocate’s participation in the program. Global Advocates are encouraged to continue fundraising until the goal is reached. COSTS What costs are involved with enrolling in the Global Advocate Program?  There are no formal costs associated with enrolling in the program. Mama Hope pays for every Global Advocate’s transportation, visas, and accommodation for the full-time placement portion of the program (Phase 2). However, there are several other personal expenses for applicants to consider.  Launch Weekend Launch Weekends at the beginning of the program will occur simultaneously in East Africa for National Global Advocates and in the United States for International Global Advocates. Mama Hope pays for all food and lodging during this time. We ask Global Advocates to pay for their transportation to this Launch Weekend. Please find the specific locations of these weekends in the application. Other We highly encourage but do not require International Global Advocates to update all immunizations as recommended by the CDC. We also require that International Advocates purchase travel insurance, and are happy to suggest trusted companies. Please email global@mamahope.org if any of these costs might be inhibitive to your participation in the program. We aim to make the program accessible to all and have scholarship funds available.  Will I receive a stipend?  Yes, you will receive an unrestricted stipend for the entirety of the program. Stipends will vary according to location and placement country. We hope that you use this stipend to offset the costs associated with the program. At this time, the stipend is not intended to be a living stipend.  FELLOWSHIP ELIGIBILITY Can I work or attend school during the program?  Yes, you can work while participating in the Global Advocate Program.  While this does require excellent time management, it is possible and many past Global Advocates have held full or part-time jobs during the training portions of the program. While we are sensitive to each individual's financial obligations, it is not possible to maintain a job in addition to participating in the Global Advocate Program during Phase 2.  We require that applicants are not enrolled in undergraduate programs at the beginning of the Global Advocate Program. However, graduate school commitments are considered on a case by case basis. Do I have to have a bachelor's degree? Nope! However, to become a Global Advocate, we ask that you have a Bachelor’s degree or proven commitment to community-led development and intercultural engagement. We value the knowledge and insight that comes from “real world” experiences, workplace experience, and university education. We welcome people of all abilities and backgrounds and believe everyone has something unique to contribute to building a more abundant future. Do I need to speak a second language?  All Global Advocates, National and International, are required to have professional fluency in English. For placements in Guatemala, International Advocates are required to have professional fluency in Spanish. For placements in Tanzania, International Advocates are required to participate in beginner-level Kiswahili lessons during Phase 1. We encourage all other International Advocates to participate in language lessons, regardless of placement. What is the demographic of Global Advocates? Global Advocates have ranged from 21-40 years old and come from all over the world. While many participants have recently completed undergraduate degrees, others are mid-career professionals. We welcome applicants of all ages. While the Global Advocate Program does serve as a professional development opportunity, it is designed for high-caliber individuals seeking to participate in systemic change in international development. Additional program eligibility can be found on our application. HEALTH, SECURITY, & LOGISTICS Where will I live while enrolled in the fellowship?  During the First and Third Phases, you will live wherever is most convenient for you, as long as there is a reliable internet connection. We encourage Global Advocates to live where they have a supportive community to engage in ...

Program Curriculum The Global Advocate Program is a rigorous and immersive 8-month social change training program designed for results-oriented individuals with a passion for global impact. Fellows are carefully matched with community based organizations in one of five countries, where they’ll support community-led development initiatives. Cultivate The first 3 months of the program include virtual curriculum sessions on personal development, decolonizing development, fundraising, ethical storytelling, monitoring and evaluation, and more. Our training kicks off with a 5 day in-person training, where Advocates take part in sessions led by Mama Hope staff, past Advocates, highly acclaimed consultants, and more.  International and National Advocates are paired together and introduced to the Mama Hope partner organization they will spend the next 8 months supporting. Advocate pairs run a fundraising campaign together, raising a minimum of $25,000 USD to support the work of their partner organization. Contributions of local assets and in-kind donations are included towards this goal. Advocates will also communicate regularly with their partner organization during this time to familiarize themselves with their work and the community they serve.  Germinate In the second 3 months of the program, Advocates begin full-time work at their partner placements in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana or Guatemala. With assistance from Mama Hope staff, Advocates and partners create work plans that align with the current needs of the partner organization. This may involve ongoing support in partner-identified areas and focus on skill-sharing in the Advocates’ areas of expertise. Advocates will also broadcast their experiences to their networks via social media, blogs and regular updates to their families and Mama Hope supporters.   Advocates are required to live within the community they serve in order to gain stronger insight and build deeper relationships. Harvest Global Advocates complete a curriculum focused on career development, self-reflection, and evaluation of ethical careers in international development. Together, pairs complete a final presentation, including a storytelling element to continue advocating for the work of their partner community. Finally, Mama Hope staff prepares Advocates to take the next steps in their professional development, whether that’s job searching, applying for advanced degrees, or starting their own organizations or companies. Many Advocates graduate to careers in public and nonprofit sectors, where they bring awareness to transformative approaches to social justice. Skills Needed In Partner Communities SOCIOLOGY & PSYCHOLOGY AGRICULTURE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION HUMAN RIGHTS PUBLIC HEALTH

Careers Launched & Transformed Graduates of the Global Advocate Program become part of a worldwide network of organizations and individuals advocating for community-led change. They are currently pursuing incredible futures as community leaders. Many continue on an NGO track — starting their own nonprofit or supporting existing organizations; while others go on to do social impact work at corporations; and still others find a calling to pursue advanced degrees. With 8 months of immersive training, your future will be yours to write. Alumnae Board: Peer Mentorship As part of our commitment to building a powerful, globally-minded and engaged community, we have launched the MAMA HOPE Global Advocate board. The board consists of past Advocates who meet on an ongoing basis, to help refine the program and provide mentorship to current participants. The Advocate board is an on-call support network to answer questions about the program — whether you’re in the field, or looking to land your first post-program job. Participation in the board after graduation is on a select basis, and is not a required part of the program.   To learn more about the Global Advocate Program from an alumni of the Global Advocate Program, email global@mamahope.org or look back at alumni blog posts here. 

Gain Skills & Experience in Community-Led Sustainable Growth Do you believe that providing young leaders around the world with opportunities to practice and learn community-led development from grassroots leaders can transform the way development is done? Do you believe that mutual respect, trust, listening, and collaboration are essential characteristics for individual development workers? Do you believe that all resources, ideas, and skills around the globe should be shared with abundance? Do you believe that the narratives widely told about people living in low income countries need to be corrected? Build With Us We began the Global Advocate Program to train a generation of social change workers to become ambassadors for and practitioners of, community led development and ethical representation. Since 2014, through mutual respect, listening and collaboration 118 Global Advocates have contributed to community-led projects in dozens of impact areas — like water, health, permaculture, and education. Learn With Us During our 8-month program, we dive deep into project development, monitoring & evaluation, asset-based community development, fundraising, leadership development, cross-cultural communication, advocacy and ethical storytelling , impact reporting, sustainability and servant leadership. This unique curriculum provides real understanding of the benefits of community led-development and the skills to work effectively and ethically in future endeavours. Grow With Us As a Global Advocate, you will be helping to foster a shift in consciousness and empathy in how the world connects with communities the world over. You will also help expand capacity at MAMA HOPE’s partner sites — unlocking the potential of people worldwide and joining a network of organizations and individuals advocating for community led change.  90% of Global Advocates report that their participation in the Global Advocate Program was essential to success in their current job or graduate program. Discover the MAMA HOPE Difference