Here’s how to get involved.

We emphasize relationship based engagement over merely transactional patterns of community. This means offering several pathways for involvement with HSP, including internships, research fellowships, volunteering, and traditional donations.

  • The Highland Partners Internship Program, an initiative of the Highland Support Project and the Asociacíon de Mujeres del Altiplano (AMA), provides opportunities for students who are enrolled not less than half-time in high school, undergraduate or graduate programs in accredited US educational institutions to acquire work-related educational experience and become involved in early career exploration as a basis for making realistic decisions regarding their future careers.

    Through the program, students are provided exposure to the work environment, which should encourage them to develop positive work ethics and to acquaint them with various functions of the HSP mission. Learn more here.

  • We have volunteering opportunities for Richmond, VA residents in both our Deep Ecology Education Program and our partner music venue, The Alley. If interested, email community@highlandpartners.org for more info.

  • The HSP Research Fellowship Program offers individual awards to exceptional postgraduate students, administered on behalf of the recipients by HSP. Our aim is to fuel academic and professional growth, enabling fellows to dedicate themselves fully to their research endeavors.

    Funded in response to detailed proposals, these awards are typically of modest amounts but are structured to offer substantial support. Each fellowship provides a stipend to the recipient, aiding in their sustenance and academic necessities throughout the duration of their project.

Participation in these activities is currently on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to our team at community@highlandpartners.org for more information on internships, volunteering, and research fellowship availability.

Give Hope, Provide Opportunity.

We take a different approach to addressing poverty by supporting innovative ideas, leaders, and social enterprise. Your donation will help people access opportunity.

Pasacuach Hope & Education Initiative

By supporting our project, you can help craft an educational environment that empowers children to grow and thrive, fostering resilience through community engagement and support. By transforming the current inadequate learning conditions—characterized by makeshift structures undermining students' potential—we aspire to create a safe, vibrant, and creative space where every child can learn to be happy and connected to their community.

Midwifery and Doula Training

A recent systemic look at the impact of midwives on women's health provides new evidence that empowering midwives significantly boost maternal and infant health (Vedam et al., 2018). HSP is partnering with AMA to provide ongoing financial, technical, and material support to train and equip midwives and doulas to foster an ecosystem of women's wellness. Midwives are training doulas to provide critical assistance to increase the coverage and access to health services for thousands of women in the most isolated communities.

Santa Catarina WASH Campaign

Because of mudslide displacement, the communities we work with are living in areas with limited infrastructure and sanitation measures in place. Their geographic accessibility and climate challenges make these projects difficult. The sanitation system helps 48 families, which is approximately 400 people. The system does not need electricity or a fuel source and technology can be maintained over generations. Our goal is $220,000 and we will be looking for civic organizations/churches to join this effort.

Seeds of Resilience: An Indigenous Women-led Tree

Our project funds the installation of rainwater harvesting, storage, and drip irrigation systems, empowering Indigenous women entrepreneurs in Guatemala's Western Highlands. These infrastructures will boost their tree nursery enterprises' productivity, enabling them to meet the rising demand.

Notably, this support will ensure seedlings remain affordable, fostering accessibility for economically marginalized communities involved in community reforestation and agroforestry projects.

Women’s Story Circles

Through your support we can establish local women circles which provide participants with a network of mutual support and a forum for sharing dreams, fears and collaborating on solutions.

The Association of the Highlands of Guatemala also facilitate technical and educational training on topics that range from civic participation, entrepreneurship, self-esteem, nutrition, Maya cultural identity and community resilience.

Longterm Accompaniment Through Micro-Investing

Indigenous Guatemalan women face layers of oppression as women in a patriarchal society, a discriminated-against Indigenous minority in a colonized country, and as Indigenous people, they are three times more likely to be living in extreme poverty.

Join us in implementing long-term accompaniment through micro-investing and providing jobs and job training, and the tools & guidance needed to gain and amplify the resilience and self-determination of local businesswomen.

Deep Ecology Program

This project funds the implementation of pollinator gardens and other green spaces within Virginia. We partner with Richmond Community High School to provide gardening supplies so that they may maintain their gardens, in addition to organizing group gardening events for the local community.

Notably, this support will ensure students continue learning about the importance of biodiversity and pollinators, fostering interest in native flora and fauna.

Clean-Air Stove Building

Help us to give more people stoves by donating to our clean-air stove building project. With your assistance, we can purchase materials to build even more stoves for others. We are so grateful for all donations we receive, and want you to know exactly where they go. With a gift of $350, you are providing an entire stove for a family in need, as well as employing a local mason.

Maya Arts Program (MAP)

By donating to our Maya Arts Program, you can help to provide children with learning opportunities focused on the arts, science, and technology. Your support can help us to extend our program to include even more of our community.