Global Initiatives
In partnership with faith-based organizations in the US, Europe, (England), Africa (Ghana and Tanzania), Central American (Costa Rica) local, statewide, national and international ministries, GAA/GREATNES trains and supports community and religious leaders to develop chapters of GAA/GREATNES in their region. Faithful to our capacity development roots, GAA/GREATNES provides religious
leaders and their congregations with a three-phase training module that includes: the basics of HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention, our Anti-Stigma training and training in HIV rapid testing and counseling. Our goal is to empower houses of worship to become a part of our F.A.I.T.H. (Focused Action Interdenominationally
Towards HIV testing) global network.
International Exchange Program
Unique in its concept, GAA/GREATNES not only provides the opportunity for religious leaders from other countries access to our prevention and intervention efforts but equally as important, GAA/GREATNES provides the opportunity for religious leaders, health care providers, and interns the opportunity to have a global experience working directly with their peers in other countries on HIV/AIDS
prevention. Through this exchange they learn from indigenous people about the richness of their culture and society. These relationships have proven to be long lasting and not only solidify but expand GAA/GREATNES global network. Through our Global Initiative, GAA/GREATNES has and continues to train well over 200 religious leaders annually from England, Ghana, Tanzania, South Africa, Ethiopia, Uganda, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Korea, Vietnam, and China. These training sessions have and continue to be conducted in collaboration with University of Michigan School of Social Work, School of Medicine and the School of Nursing, Lawrence Technological University – International Business and Entrepreneurial course, and George Washington University. GAA/GREATNES Global Initiative Network reaches beyond houses of worship to encompass public, private, and parochial schools, correctional facilities, colleges and universities, shelters, governmental agencies, NGOs, clinics and hospitals and for-profit companies.
In 2020, GAA Partnered with Fountain Gate Academy in Dar Es Salaam Tanzania for a Pen Pal Student Written Exchange Program where students from Birmingham, Roeper, and Cornerstone schools in Michigan corresponded with students in Tanzania. During a time when many people were isolating and quarantined, this program provided students to connect and foster a greater sense of community.
If you are interested in having one of these training sessions or would like to become a part of our global initiative, contact us.