With more than 400 alumni associations and individual chapters around the world, alumni are making an impact on their communities. Below are a few examples of how alumni projects are improving the lives of others.

Farmers at work on the permaculture plot in Mzimba, Malawi.

Malawi-U.S. Exchange Alumni Association: Established Permaculture Plots

The Malawi-U.S. Exchange Alumni Association secured funding to create four permaculture plots. Through the plots, the association conducted a civic education project that taught local communities how to use sustainable farming methods with local supplies, increase output, and protect the environment.  The project gained more visibility through a documentary that aired several times on Television Malawi. With nearly 20,000 beneficiaries, the permaculture plots are still being used to teach farmers how to invest their money and increase their food security.

President of the MAAA and U.S. Embassy officials in Skopje discuss the new internship program on a nationally broadcast morning TV talk show.

Macedonian American Alumni Association: Launched Internship Program

The Macedonian American Alumni Association (MAAA), in conjunction with the U.S. Embassy in Skopje, launched an internship program for college students. The program offers 100-120 positions in fields ranging from government to business to academic research. By implementing high-quality practical training programs for students, MAAA aims to promote understanding and goodwill among students, academic institutions, employers, and the wider community in Macedonia. A secondary goal is to increase the capacity for Macedonian businesses and research institutions to compete in the global market.

An IVLP alumna discusses her environmental background to a group of potential mentees at the Mentorship Orientation Session

Myanmar U.S. Alumni Association: Mentoring Local Professionals

The Myanmar U.S. Friendship Exchange coordinates a mentor program that connects alumni from the International Visitors Leadership Program, East-West Center and Hubert Humphrey Fellowship programs with mentees recruited through a network of NGOs and through the alumni association’s speaker programs. Mentors and mentees keep in contact through the postal service, emailing, telephone calls, or personal appointments.

Signing of a MOU between UNITEC, the Central Bank and the Honduran Fulbright Alumni Association

Honduran Fulbright Association: Supporting Education through Scholarships

The Honduran Fulbright Association runs a program to sponsor scholarships for English language and university studies in Honduras. The Una Beca Más or One More Scholarship, program initially funded four students to study at local universities, as well as five high school students to study English. Since its creation, the Fulbright Association has worked with U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa, the Central Bank of Honduras, the private sector, and universities to expand the number of scholarships. Since 2009, 57 high schools students have received scholarships to study English and 20 have begun their undergraduate studies. In 2010, the Association will send 10 non-elite, underprivileged students to English classes and 20 candidates for undergraduate studies through the agreement between UNITEC (a private university), the Central Bank and the Association.