YES Programs

MENU  

STORIES


Global Village on the Move Grant: Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful

One person writes on a paper taped to anothers back with the front person drawing on a wall mounted sheet while the second writes on a separate paper

By Faith Coker (YES 2021-2022, Sierra Leone, placed by CIEE in Atlanta, GA)

After participating in Global Village on the Move (GVoM) in Türkiye in November 2023, I applied for a follow-on grant to address issues affecting my community (and many other communities), including mental health challenges. Through my grant project, Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful, I aimed to raise awareness about the importance of embracing individuality and authenticity along with educating participants about the Iacocca Institute’s Global Village program.

Through a one-day workshop in April 2024, I aimed to inspire 35 fellow alumni to embrace their uniqueness and demonstrate how individuality aligns with their desire to address global challenges, particularly to those related to mental health and education. I invited two alumni who have participated in the Iacocca Institute’s signature Global Village program (held annually on the Lehigh University campus in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) and have since successfully implemented community empowerment projects. They shared their experiences, offered insights into challenges facing our community, and discussed the positive impact the Global Village program had on their personal and professional lives. By the end of the event, alumni reported feeling motivated and equipped to make informed, meaningful decisions that would positively impact their lives and communities.

Two people stand facing each other in a wooden paneled room with three red plastic cups spaced on the floor between them

I’ve come to understand that personal development and mental health is not a destination, but a process. It’s about how you drive, not where you’re going. These words have been a guiding principle in my journey. I would like to express my gratitude to the YES program, the International Education and Resource Network (iEARN), my fellow alumnus Adolphus D. Davies, iEARN-Sierra Leone Country Director Jane Peters, and the YES alumni who joined the event. Finally, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs for their dedication to fostering global exchange and cultural understanding.

Adolphus D. Davies (YES 2016-2017, Sierra Leone, placed by AYUSA in Vacaville, CA)


Share: