Grand Circle Foundation

08/28/2026

In 1990, Dr. Linnea Smith left her Wisconsin medical practice to begin providing medical services to the indigenous people of the Peruvian Amazon. She started with almost nothing — a small thatched-roof room without electricity, running water, laboratory services, staff, or funding. In 1993, following a radio interview about her work, volunteers from Duluth, Minnesota, Thunder Bay, Ontario, and Iquitos, Peru, came together to build a riverside clinic complete with solar panels and a well. Over time, a hammock house for patients’ families and expanded staff quarters were added. When the Amazon River gradually eroded the land beneath the clinic, it was rebuilt in 2009 on a nearby stream.
OAT/GCF have partnered with Dr. Smith to help support her incredible work in this remote community. Most recently, we funded the construction of a new roof for the clinic.
As you can imagine, the weather in the Amazon takes a heavy toll on these structures.
We're happy to have been able to provide a new roof, which will keep the staff, patients and medical equipment safe (and dry) for many years to come.

08/26/2026

It's National Dog Day and we're paws-itive our Bangkok team had a doggone good time building wheelchairs at a local animal shelter last month! Who knew dogs could smile so big? 🐾😁 Share a pic with your furry BFF, like Harriet did and let's get this paw-ty started! 🎉

08/21/2026

Tech in Tanzania! Earlier this year, GCF funded the purchase of laptops, projectors and screens to the schools we support in Tanzania.
Digital technology is no longer a luxury but an essential part of the teaching environment and we're helping bridge the gap for these students and teachers.
For some of these children, it was the first time touching a computer.
Thank you to all the OAT travelers who help make this support possible.

08/16/2026

When children have enough to eat, they have more opportunity to learn. 💚
Thanks to a generous OAT traveler and the continued support of our partner, Children in the Wilderness, 322 students at Ngamo Primary School will receive nutritious meals for up to 20 school weeks.
From mealiemeal and sugar beans to fresh vegetables from the school garden, this programme is helping children stay nourished, focused and ready to learn.
322 children. 20 weeks of meals. One community coming together. 🌱
Thank you for your boots on the ground and making this happen.

08/15/2026

Today is "Relaxation Day"...for Sandra Vaughan, GCF Project Manager in East Africa, that meant a quick game of catch with the students at our newest partner school in Kenya. Meet the very excited kids at Jans Academy.
How do you relax when on an trip?

08/13/2026

Having Harriet and the family at Ayalabe Primary School was an incredible experience. We are so grateful for all their support.

08/12/2026

We are excited to share that the Alnoba Lewis Family Foundation is proud to sponsor The Great Elephant Migration, a remarkable public art exhibition currently open in Boston and running through September 13, 2026.

The installation features 100 life-sized elephant sculptures created by Indigenous artisans from India and displayed along Boston's historic Commonwealth Avenue Mall, between Fairfield and Arlington Streets.

The herd is crafted from Lantana camara, an invasive plant that has overtaken large areas of India’s forests. Removed from elephant habitats and woven around steel frames, the material is transformed into art that symbolizes ecological restoration.

Created by indigenous members of the Bettakurumba, Paniya, Kattunayakan, and Soliga communities, each sculpture represents a real elephant from the Nilgiri Hills of southern India and reflects the traditions and craftsmanship of its makers.

Together, the elephants encourage reflection on how people and wildlife can coexist and thrive.

If you live in the area or are visiting Boston, stop by this unique event with family and friends.

And if you happen to visit , 7 of the elephant sculptures from the migration remain on permanent display, serving as a lasting reminder of conservation, coexistence and global connection.

08/08/2026

22 OAT Trip Experience Leaders and Bangkok office associates got together to paint and plant at the Na Ga Long Primary school in rural Thailand.

Tucked away in a rural community in Thailand, Na Ga Long Primary School is a small school with a powerful spirit and big hopes for its children. The school welcomes 72 young students, ages 4 to 12, who come each day to learn, play, and grow under the care of 7 dedicated teachers and 3 staff... Read....

08/04/2026

Farm to table comes to schools in Tanzania 😁. Last year GCF funded the cost of a farmer to teach our schools how/what to plant to set up kitchen gardens. Each class is responsible for their own little plot, including the soil prep (manuring 🤣), planting, watering, weeding and harvesting.
Sandra Vaughan was recently there and shared photos...

08/01/2026

Helping dogs in Thailand.

Community Service is part of the culture at Grand Circle Corporation and to that end, many of our offices around the world participate in different events throughout the year. Associates from our Bangkok office got together and volunteered at the Suan Pa Ket Nomklao with local volunteers to create c...