Climate Change / Global Poverty Reduction Programs

One World Center:
Based in Cass County, south-west Michigan, One World Center is a nonprofit organization that provides programs that educate and empower people to take action against worldwide poverty. Our aid / poverty programs are 1, 6, 9, and 18 months duration.

Poverty / Climate Change Research Programs:
We offer four work-study programs at One World Center.

One Month Climate Program:
This work-study program is designed to prepare St. Vincent (in the Carribean) for global warming and climate change. During this program you will learn about global warming, climate change, food security, energy security, and ways to reduce waste and pollution.

The program is divided into four periods.

- During the first week long period, you will have a welcome party and tour. You will also begin classes and visit with the local communities.

- During the second week long period, you will work with hands on projects. These projects include planting seedlings, farming, pruning fruit trees, and working with compost.

- During the third week long period, you will have courses on saving energy, hyrdo and geo thermal energy. You will also work with environmental clubs in the community.

- During the fourth and final week, you will organize a beach clean up, complete an evaluation and summary, share your experiences and have a graduation ceremony.


6 Month Climate Program:
Situated in St. Vincent (in the Caribbean), this program is designed to take an in depth look at climate change and global warming, and how to combat it. There are four periods:

- The first period is one month long. During this period, you will take courses on global warming and climate change, sustainable agriculture, pollution, and the changes we can make.

- The second period is one month long. During this period, you will develop organic farms, begin to implement projects with water harvesting, chicekn production, and recycling water.

- The third period is two months long. During this period, you will educate and empower the community on global warming and climate change and the changes they can begin to make at home to help create a sustainable future. You will also run organic farming and renewable energy clubs in the community.

- The fourth and final period is two months long. During this period, you will produce and distribute climate newsletters, organize clean up competitions with in the schools, set up recycling projects, and establish garden farms with carbon storage. You will complete the program with an evaluation. sharing experiences, a graduation ceremony and a BBQ.


9 Month Brazil Child Aid and Poverty Program:
This is a short term work- study program on global poverty, the conditions over half of humanity live in and the changes we can make to help end global poverty. This program has four periods.

- The first period is three months long. During this period, you will begin preparation on campus with courses on poverty, the rich and poor of the world, farming, child aid, and complete hands on lessons as well. You will also take portuguese classes.

- The second period is one month long. During this period, you and your team will travel in Brazil to fully understand the living conditions for those struggling with poverty.

The third period is four months long. During this period, you will work together with Humana People to People to serve 25 families in the rural countrysides of Brazil. You will help to secure the basic needs for these families by setting up garden farms, creating latrines, repairing homes, organizing income generating projects, assist with health check ups and education, and much more.

- The fourth and final period is one month long. Back on campus you will create a final project with your team. You and your team will then travel in the United States talking about the work you did, how it impacted your life, the lives of the families you work with and talk about why you feel it is important to get involved in the fight against poverty. You will also have a graduation ceremony and recieve your certifications.


18 Month Grassroots Development and Poverty Program:
This program is designed for you to take a comprehensive look at global poverty and to train you as a Development Instructor and community leader. This program has three six month periods.

- During the first six month period, you will prepare on campus. You will take courses on the big issues of our time: poverty, global warming, climate change, the health crisis, irrigation, sanitation, HIV & AIDS prevention, as well as many hands on courses with farming, cleaning water, building water tanks and so much more.

- During the next six month period, you and your team will travel to Africa to serve at our projects run by Humana People to People. During this period you will work to mobilize, educate and empower the community to create a better quality of life. Projects include building schools, fighting HIV & AIDS, creating sustainable solutions, combating hunger and malnutrition, training preschool teachers, making clean water accesible and much more.

- The final period is back on campus, where you will create a final project with your team. You and your team will then travel in the United States talking about the work you did, how it impacted your life, the lives of the families you work with and talk about why you feel it is important to get involved in the fight against poverty. You will also have a graduation ceremony and recieve your certifications.