The new year provides an opportunity for reflection, celebration and ambition. As we look back on a year of collaboration and grant making, we ask ourselves an important question: Where will we find the greatest opportunities for change in the coming year? One such promising area is already emerging—our partnership with USAID in the Central African Republic, a country in great need of healing and community in the midst of conflict.

GHR's Inter-Religious Action initiative has applied its proven methods to peacebuilding in the Central African Republic, and Thomson Reuters Foundation recently covered how our work is helping participants overcome trauma and rebuild fractured communities. The hope-filled article reports from a workshop in Bangui that is bringing together Christians and Muslims, using the influence of religious leaders to repair relationships and build trust. The piece emphasizes the importance of engaging religious actors in countries where institutions are fragile.

"Religious actors are the bedrock of society in countries where institutions are fragile," the article quotes from GHR Senior Program Advisor Andreas Hipple. "The religious leaders cannot just guide people in their faith but also help them deal with the challenges of life."
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GHR knows how collaboration and discussion between religious leaders and communities are essential to solving difficult development problems like the ones faced by CAR, and may be key to building the trusting relationships and social cohesion necessary to restoring peace. The strategy of Inter-Religious Action initiative is hinged on this principle.
 
We look forward to another year of pursuing impact, responding to emerging needs and supporting our incredible partners around the world. To learn more about innovative work like our efforts in the Central African Republic, contact us.

​At GHR Foundation, we are regularly presented with circumstances in which the expertise of our team is critical. Each time our talented staff applies their knowledge and skill, we are reminded of their importance to the foundation’s success. As we grow and tackle larger, more complex issues, we need to continue building out our team with experts driven by the values we all share.
 
The start of the new year saw the addition of two new team members—Manisha Bharti, who joined as chief of strategy and program, and Jason Matz, who joined as chief investment officer. Manisha is joining us from her position as chief strategy officer of FHI 360, where she has worked since 2005. As a strategic leader with a global perspective, we are confident Manisha will excel at guiding and supporting our program team. Jason is joining us from his position as chief investment officer of Carleton College, and previously served as director of global equity research at Jeffrey Slocum & Associates. Jason’s wealth of experience will be a valuable asset for GHR as it builds its investment department.
 
The daily dedication of staff helps the foundation remain focused on entrepreneurial impact and adapt to the changing world. The efforts of our staff are critical in engaging in dialogue, asking important questions, creating new partnerships and looking for ways to make our world a better place. To learn more about GHR’s team, contact us.