Global Livingston Institute

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Global Livingston Institute

Listen. Think. Act. GLI’s programming is structured around immersion travel.

We identify and select diverse groups of students and community leaders from the United States to travel through Uganda and Rwanda and think differently about international development. Before acting, we encourage participants to listen and spend some time thinking collaboratively with the communities we visit. The GLI’s Entusi Retreat and Resort Center, located in Kabale, Uganda, embodies the org

anization’s mission. Entusi is a creative and innovative working space that allows the world to convene and address complex social issues and act as an incubator for learning. Traveling with the GLI typically culminates with a conference or summit at the Entusi Retreat and Resort Center. Some of our major conferences and forums include women’s leadership retreats, legal aid clinics, university study abroad courses, TEDx talks, a Fulbright alumni summit, mental health clinic and a music festival.

05/13/2026

We are delighted to have the engineering student group in East Africa. Hosted at Entusi Resort and Retreat Centre on Lake Bunyonyi, Kabale University engineering students joined this group for a collaborative exchange centered on innovation, engineering, and global impact.

During their time together, engineering students from both universities participated in an innovation challenge focused on improving access to clean and reliable water for rural communities — a challenge that continues to affect millions of people across the world.

Working in mixed teams, students explored practical, low-cost, and sustainable engineering solutions tailored to local realities. The experience encouraged participants to think beyond technical design by considering community needs, accessibility, environmental sustainability, and long-term impact.

From brainstorming sessions, to prototype development, and collaborative discussions, students gained valuable insight into how engineering can directly improve lives.

By learning alongside peers from different communities and backgrounds, students develop a broader perspective on innovation and a deeper understanding of how local challenges often reflect global realities.

Programs like this not only strengthen academic partnerships but also inspire young engineers to design solutions that are meaningful, inclusive, and impactful for communities around the world.

04/24/2026

If you heard someone say “community impact”, what would ring in your head? What image do you see?

Somewhere on the outcasts of Katanga, a slum in Kampala, Uganda right between Makerere University and Mulago National Hospital, an amazing organization continues to contribute to building communities that thrive and empowering womem to safe, fair and dignified work.

Thread of Life, works to empower vulnerable women with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities needed to better support themselves and keep their families together. Doing this through several livelihood and education programs and initiatives, they also provide a safe and secure environment to rehabilitate the program participants.

It is always inspiring and insightful for student groups to engage in experiential learning as they Listen to how local communities (with many extraordinary young people at the center) innovate around societal (global) challenges.

Thread of Life, who are our longstanding community partner, were kind enough to also teach the students some remarkable handcraft making skills (and also gifting them whatever each of the students made). The session led by one of their girl youngsters, it doesn't getter any better! 😉

Visit their website here: https://l1nq.com/jb82gp1

04/15/2026

An important component of an immersive cross-cultural learning experiences is the opportunity for students to learn from local communities, how they harness the environment around them and what nature has to offer to devise sustainable solutions for the challenges in society.

A great example of this is depicted in the pictures — Olivier, a Rwandan student based in Musanze, shares with college from the US about the benefits of various the Eucalyptus tree. It is one of the mostly planted trees across Rwanda and other East African countries.

Olivier shares that these particular trees are asource of firewood and charcoal, essential for cooking in rural and urban households. Eucalyptus is also used as construction poles, for fencing, and furniture, supporting the local building industry.

He further shares about its medicinal aspects as a local herb best known for some respiratory issues, clearing congestion and soothing sore throats. Scientists affirm that the anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties make it useful for treating colds, reducing pain from arthritis, healing minor wounds, and acting as a natural insect repellent.

04/02/2026

GLI Friends and Family! Has there ever been a more important time to teach globally-minded young people to listen, think, and act?

As summer quickly approaches, we are still working to raise scholarship funding for students who hope to travel with GLI to East Africa this summer.

Any amount — $25, $50, or $100 — makes a huge difference toward supporting a student’s trip. Together, let’s make sure every one of our scholars has the opportunity to engage in our Global Classroom this summer!

Visit our website to donate:
https://www.globallivingston.org/donate

03/24/2026

We were thrilled to host a learning and scoping trip for faculty as we bridge communities to build platforms and partnership that will scale cross-cultural learning that transcends borders.

We cannot wait to share the amazing deliberations from our various knowledge sharing and strategic partnership meeting with community actors in education, public health, community connection, agriculture, conservation and sustainable development.

We extend gratitude to our partners in East Africa that continously innovate and engage around best practices for enhancing meaningful study abroad that benefits everyone involved.

The meetings are driven around co-creating initiatives that are encompassing and put students and communities at the center of shared learning and collaborating to build sustainable ideas and solutions for our societies.

03/21/2026

World Down Syndrome Day is observed globally every year on March 21. We celebrate the lives and achievements of people with Down Syndrome and encourage for a world that fights for their rights, fosters genuine social connections, a sense of belonging and inclusion.

03/11/2026

If you have been with us at Lake Bunyonyi, you have probably had the opportunity to be hosted by the gentleman and homestead in the photo slides.

Mr Sam Muriisa is a traditional healer around Lake Bunyonyi who implores spiritualism and herbalism based on local culture, knowledge and research, attitudes, and beliefs passed down over generations, to extend health care services to the people .

His contribution to the local community is important as he expends culturally relevant care through herbal medicine, spiritual counseling, and a community health partner using herbal medicines.

What is your experience with traditional healers and what is your fondest memory visiting Mr Sam Muriisa?

03/06/2026

If you’ve ever been part of GLI's Global Classroom, you know how educational, transformative, and powerful it can be. Traveling, learning with new communities, and seeing the world through a different lens, are experiences that stay with you for a lifetime.

We’re inviting past Global Classroom travelers to help make that opportunity possible for our next cohort of students. Your gift of any amount will help future travelers take part in this transformative journey.

To support this initiative:

Visit: https://www.globallivingston.org

Click on the DONATE icon

Make a donation of any amount

Thank you for your support.

03/04/2026

Our Public Health programs, driven by the communities we work with across Uganda, primarily focus on Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) intervention and inform a signficant part of the collaborations we have with various partners including local health facilities, local governments and Ministry of Health - Uganda.

It is always remarkable opportunity for various student groups that we host in East Africa to have an overview of these critical sectors such as health and appreciate how communities navigate and innovate around challenges therein.

Students receive firsthand account from our health partners such as Bwama Health Centre, Rugarama Hospital, Our Lady of Good Health, Rushorooza Hospital, learning from the health workers and institutes that are contributing to extending essential health services to people.

The learnings also take to the NCD gardens that teach particapants in the pogram cost-effective effecient farming of nutrious foods and vegetables that boost their immunity. The particapants also have the privilege of harvesting from these gardens whenever they convene for their routine health and exercise classes.

02/27/2026

The Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service for is empowering the next generation of changemakers.

If you’re passionate about serving your community and reimagining what public service can look like, this opportunity is for you. Explore how you can turn purpose into impact and be part of a movement that’s shaping a better future.

https://www.obama.org/programs/voyager-scholarship/

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3001 Brighton Boulevard
Denver, CO
80216

Website

http://www.globallivingston.org/

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