Core Values

GeoAid strives to facilitate transformation in individuals and communities and believes that transformation takes group effort. Working together with local communities, we can effectively respond to ongoing change by:

• Planning ahead to lesson potential adverse impact triggered by natural resource extraction
• Planning programs that balance a community’s needs with the rate of change.
• Cultivating self-reliance and sustainability.
• Working across multiple sectors, addressing what is important to the communities.

Transformation requires stewardship of resources. We practice stewardship through:

• Efficient and effective use of funds as shown through shared accountability.
• Timely and accurate program monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.
• Operational and strategic partnerships with like-minded international and local NGOs, as well as existing and emerging community organizations.

Transformation embraces faith and integrity. Recognizing that spiritual and community life involves commitment to beliefs, we:

• Respect and actively engage the faith community.
• Involve church leadership in decision-making.
• Practice non-discrimination.
• Affirm all faith communities.

Transformation depends upon sustainability. As we build a positive, successful future, we:

• Identify, train, and provide opportunities for local citizens to participate in the development work, ultimately becoming employees of the mining organization as well as the GeoAid program staff.
• Commit to enter the process of transferring leadership of programs to local entities.
• Measure our success on progress toward ultimate community ownership of development programs.

Transformation respects the rights of indigenous peoples. Recognizing that indigenous peoples are the original owners of the land, we advocate to:

• Retain their culture, identity, customs, and traditions.
• Support and promote education and vocational training