Programs

Education

Capacity building and education is the foundation for all ASCEND initiatives.

Life-skills mentoring--particularly for mothers and girls--has tremendous positive impact on child survival and quality of life. ASCEND utilizes a broad range of simple, life-skills manuals (ranging from basic literacy to health, enterprise, environment, technology and human rights). This learner-centered, interactive curriculum, developed in coordination with ProLiteracy Worldwide and other partners, facilitates social change while students learn to read and write. Education initiatives also include teacher training, library books, school supplies, and educational scholarships.

Donations made to EDUCATION empower those in need to ASCEND out of poverty. Here is what ASCEND accomplished through education projects and expeditions last year:

• 10,735 adults enrolled in adult literacy classes
• 2,079 people trained in education mentoring classes with topics like Human Rights, English, and Preparing Educational Materials
• 4,493 literacy packets distributed
• 19 schools or libraries remodeled or constructed

Enterprise

Business training and on-site mentoring help create self-employment opportunities and make family business more profitable.

ASCEND offers comprehensive training, including on-site mentoring for existing small businesses and hands-on training for first-time entrepreneurs. Successes include animal husbandry, granaries and agricultural facilities, bee-keeping and honey production, stores, restaurants, brick-making, welding, shoe manufacturing, handicrafts, and sewing--just to name a few! ASCEND also works with experienced partners to facilitate loans for small business, including micro-credit and micro-franchising opportunities.

Donations made to ENTERPRISE empower those in need to ASCEND out poverty. Here is what ASCEND accomplished through enterprise projects and expeditions last year:

• 712 graduates from our rural and basic enterprise classes
• 261 people trained in technical skills (including jewelry making, bread and pizza making, and card making)
• 177 animal loans distributed
• 185 graduates in our advanced enterprise classes with an average increase in family income of 50.7%, and an increase in family savings of 187.3%

Health

Community health programs, continuing medical education, and treatment campaigns save lives and improve health.

ASCEND health efforts focus in three areas: ongoing training of community workers and mother's groups in preventive measures and simple remedies, limited treatment of medical and surgical problems, and Sustainable Orphan Advocacy and Rescue (SOAR), which combines AIDS prevention training and identifies and prioritizes care of orphans. Linking with local medical providers and facilities is the key for both initiating and sustaining change. All aspects of health intervention provide a unique training opportunity for health professionals and students in-country and from North America.

Donations to HEALTH empower those in need to ASCEND out of poverty. Here is what ASCEND accomplished through health projects and expeditions last year:

• 52 health campaigns that served 15,434 people
• 8821 people trained in basic health classes such as first aid, AIDS prevention, reproductive health, and alcoholism prevention=
• 2783 vaccinations given
• 6 health centers remodeled or constructed
• 8059 hours volunteered by local medical professionals and community workers

Simple Technology

Effective technology initiatives are easy and affordable to construct and maintain with local materials.

ASCEND has significant expertise in developing innovative simple technologies. Hands-on training of technology workers and community members enables replication, maintenance and sustainability. Initiatives include, but are not limited to, greenhouses, drip irrigation systems and food storage facilities; wells, pumps, cisterns, spring and rainwater catchments, pipelines, water filters, adobe stoves, latrines and community bathrooms, and solar energy systems. Construction of community facilities--including schools, health posts, community centers, and various simple technologies--enhances Health, Enterprise and Education Programs.
Donations made to SIMPLE TECHNOLOGY empower those in need to ASCEND out of poverty. Here is what ASCEND accomplished through simple technology projects and expeditions last year:

• 18 community and 174 household water systems built
• 5 community bathrooms/latrines and 1,201 family bathrooms/latrines built
• 537 stoves/ovens constructed
• 1,168 people trained in agriculture or gardening classes
• 9 community gardens and 181 family gardens built

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