The Ethos Center
International Partners
One of the core values of The Ethos Center is partnership. We believe in working with an in-country host for all of our international projects, so our work may be most useful to the community and our solutions may reflect the true needs of the locals. The following is a list of previous, recent, and current partners:
Academic City University College was established in 2009 as a single facility. Over 9 years the University graduated over 3,00+ students from over 23 African countries. Graduates of Academic City entered the workforce as professionals at international banks, manufacturing firms, corporate offices, government departments, and financial institutions in Ghana. In 2017, Academic City re-adjusted their curriculum to address the need for premium quality tertiary education infused with entrepreneurial thinking, innovative problem-solving, application-based learning, and an emphasis on ethical practices, within the African context. Henceforth, Academic City was re-positioned with a renewed purpose and a brand new campus, to deliver transformative, modern-day tertiary education for students in Ghana. Ethos students have collaborated with students at Academic City on a variety of projects including designing and building a recycling receptacle, testing and programing medical machinery, and participating in STEM education and outreach.
AGROTERRA- ALOTENANGO, GUATEMALA
Our community partner, Adbeel, who works with Commission to Every Nation created AgroTerra, an organic farm and property near Antigua, Guatemala. AgroTerra is focused on implementing sustainable farming practices such as the use of organic pesticides in the nearby communities. Adbeel has also recently implemented other sustainable technologies such as aquaponics systems and solar energy. The entire AgroTerra property runs on solar energy and consists of multiple cabins and an educational center where community members and farmers can come and learn about these sustainable farming practices. Along with the work on his own organic farm, AgroTerra and Commission to Every Nation work in other Guatemalan communities to install solar panels on houses with no access to electricity.
CAMEROON FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM - KUMBA, CAMEROON
CFDP is a non-government organization started by UD Ethos alumni, Mark Ewalt. The organization aims to improve the lives of youth through values-based education, life skills, and leadership experience on and off the soccer field. In recent years Ethos students have worked on the route planning and site survey for a proposed roadway to connect an isolated village to the town across the lake. With this roadway complete, the villagers will be able to easily access the town and transport their crops to the market to sell.
CHANGE AND BE CHANGED - CINTIA, MALAWI
Change and Be Changed, Inc. is an organization incorporated in Ohio whose projects in Malawi involve the renovation of Kaseye Mission Hospital in Northern Malawi, scholarship funding for current and future medical professionals, and supporting disabled children and their families in remote areas of Northern Malawi. Change and Be Changed also supports scholarship funding for high school students.
DETERMINED 2 DEVELOP - CHILUMBA, MALAWI
D2D is a non-profit charity started in 2009 by University of Dayton Alumni, Matthew Maroon, that strives with its partners to lift the people of Malawi out of poverty using their own abilities and talents rather than hand-outs. Communities identify issues and solutions, which become the basis of D2D’s work, and then communities contribute to the implementation or running of each project. In recent years, Ethos students surveyed the land donated by the local chiefs to create a master plan for building a new high school, and then later worked alongside locals to help build a new high school.
DI LAB, PONTIFICAL UNIVERSITY OF CHILE - SANTIAGO, CHILE
Colegio Quilacahuin is located in the Los Lagos region of Chile near Osorno. Situated on the northern edge of Patagonia, the college serves a highly agricultural region with a substantial indigenous population. The college is essentially a K-12 school with a small residential student population. The college also runs an active farm with many students who continue working on small farms in the region. The college was founded by the Franciscan order who are still actively involved with the school. Our work with the college is in partnership with the DI Lab at the Pontifical University of Chile in Santiago.
DOMINICA MANUFACTURER'S ASSOCIATION (DMA) - ROSEAU, DOMINICA
The Dominica Manufacturer’s Association recognizes the significance of the manufacturing sector in the economic growth of Dominica. Determined to develop a viable manufacturing sector that will result in sustainable jobs and wealth for its citizens, DMA represents the interest of all manufacturing companies in Dominica. Many of these companies are small-scale producers of regional products such as soap, coconut oil, furniture and shoes.
DuStudio aims to promote eco-friendly, climatically-appropriate, energy-efficient, and cost-effective building materials and techniques that utilize locally-appropriate inputs and aesthetics. DuStudio is a collaborative practice that works with other non-government organizations to rejuvenate habitats through design, social engagement, and architecture.
ENGINEERS IN ACTION (EIA) – LA PAZ, BOLIVA; COMUNA GUANGAJE, ECUADOR
Engineers in Action is dedicated to improving healthy and safe access to water. Building long-term, sustainable systems in Latin American communities, EIA partners with communities and other international organizations to build sustainable infrastructures. With engineers and professional staff from Latin America to implement their projects, EIA successfully uses appropriate technology that is sustainable for local needs. Students support their WASH programs, which includes water, sanitation, and hygiene systems.
ENERGETICA – COCHABAMBA, BOLIVIA
Energetica is an energy development institute that promotes a greater and more rational use of energy in Bolivia. Their goal is to become an active reference institution on issues of sustainable energy and energy equity. They do this through formulation and execution of policies and strategies that promote economic competitiveness.
ETTA PROJECTS - SANTA CRUZ, BOLIVIA
Etta Projects is dedicated to public health in rural Bolivia. The organization collaborates with communities, creating sustainable solutions to improve health, sanitation, and clean water access. Etta Projects' programs include hygiene and sanitation (dry composting latrines and water distribution systems) and training of community health and sanitation promoters. Etta Projects reaches remote communities that lack access to health services, and often lack running water, sanitation systems, electricity, and transportation to access emergency care.
FUNDACIÓN CHAMINADE - SANTIAGO, CHILE
Fundación Chaminade is a nonprofit founded in 1995 in the San Miguel community of Santiago, Chile, whose focus is on children, youth and their families, and educators. Committed to the Marianist pedagogy tradition, they promote quality education that supports service, peace and justice, and the integration of necessary changes for societal improvement.
Funprobo provides prosthetics to low-income Bolivians. The prosthetics are built from scratch in their workshops, and all materials are bought and sourced locally. Funprobo supplies above and below knee prosthesis and is beginning to explore working with 3D printers to create upper limb prosthetics. In addition, the organization provides psychological and physiotherapeutic support to those who are given new limbs to help them build confidence and flourish in their new lives.
GHANA CLIMATE INNOVATION CENTER, ASHESI UNIVERSITY – ACCRA, GHANA
Ashesi University is a private liberal arts college offering 4-year bachelor degree programs that has established its reputation as a leader in undergraduate education in Africa. Ghana Climate Innovation Center, based at Ashesi University’s campus, supports entrepreneurs building climate change solutions for Ghana’s green economy. Funded through a grant from the World Bank Group and partners, GCIC is a green project incubation hub where entrepreneurs and startup ventures can access support to develop their innovative ideas into strong and viable businesses. Their thematic areas include energy efficiency, water and sanitation, and climate-smart agriculture.
GRUPO FENIX – SABANA GRANDE, NICARAGUA
Grupo Fenix is a sustainable organization working with appropriate and innovative technologies to improve the quality of life of rural communities in the areas of health, education, employment, environment, and gender equity. Their mission is to enable community development and empowerment by facilitating technological and cultural exchanges.
Minvayu designs, builds and sells affordable small wind turbines for people living in rural India. They also offer training programs for village mechanics, manufacturers and trainers. Their goal is to make electricity more accessible to 98 million rural Indians through wind power.
ORGANIZATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE - MYSORE, INDIA
Organization for the Development of People (ODP) is intended for integrated human development of the socially and economically disadvantaged, the underprivileged, and the marginalized sections of Mysore society. Students work with farmers as well as manufacturers and community members to help them learn how to improve their standard of living. Their programs include women empowerment, natural resource management, livelihood enhancement, capacity building, health and sanitation, and research and development.
GRUPO APOYO OF THE PONTIFICA UNIVERSIDAD CATÓLICA DEL PERÚ (PUCP) – LIMA, PERÚ
Grupo Apoyo is a nonprofit organization that carries out sustainable development projects in energy, water, agriculture and housing to improve the quality of life of rural populations. They work with biomass, wind, hydraulic, and solar energies. Grupo is part of the Catholic Pontifical University of Peru, established in 1917, and ranked one of the top universities in Peru. They support this through academic and institutional leadership, democratic values, human rights and development, and promotion of responsible use of natural resources and the environment.
ROCKETWORKS – DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA
RocketWorks supplies high-quality, efficient and cost effective multi-fuel gasifying rocket stoves to people around the world. The stoves reduce the quantity of wood required for cooking, make cooking safer and reduce emissions. Recently, students assisted in building a tobacco barn for drying tobacco in a more efficient manner using a prototype gasifier.
SOLAR ELECTRIC LIGHT FOUNDATION - BANGALORE, INDIA
Solar Electric Light Foundation (SELCO) has played an instrumental role in improving living standards in rural India through providing solar energy solutions to the poor. SELCO’s key features include creating products based on end user needs, installation and after-sales services, and standardized financing packages. Recently, Ethos students worked on a solar-powered aeroponics system to combat issues of lack of proper access to electricity.
SONLIGHT POWER - CINCINNATI, OHIO
SonLight Power designs and builds solar energy solutions the world’s most underserved children, families, and communities. From schools, medical clinics, orphanages, community centers, churches, water-pumping stations in remote locations, SonLight brings clean electricity for the first time to thousands around the world. SonLight is the partner for the Ethos Center Graduate Service Program, providing opportunities for student service in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and beyond.
The Tandana Foundation supports a wide variety of community initiatives and projects in Ecuador's Otavalo Canton. The foundation's goal is to create and nurture respectful and responsible relationships among people of different cultures. Ethos students put their engineering knowledge and skills to work on community-led infrastructure projects.