by James Ong, Director, REI Singapore “Circumstances reveal the character of a person.” These past three years, I’ve come to experience how situations and circumstances help bring out potential and new dynamics in the relationships we have with people. Unexpected Invitations Three years ago, I received the invitation from REI President & CEO, Doug Erdmann, to help set up the REI Singapore office. I had crossed paths with Doug some 13 years prior but had not worked closely wit

by K. Douglas Erdmann, President & CEO Back before Spotify and other music streaming services were available, if one wanted to listen to music in their car, one did it the old-fashioned way. . . turning on the radio. Of course, it would be important to pick the right radio station as different stations had different types of music. In my opinion, where we lived then in Maine, the best music was found at “Oldies 100.9.” My children would look at me aghast as I drove and sang a

Steve Estes, Principal Technical Program Manager, Mastercard    When was your first short-term trip with REI? October 6-15, 2024 What motivated you to do this with REI? My wife and I were familiar with REI as donors and through our relationship with Brian and Ginny Teel (former REI Director of Advancement). During one of their visits to St. Louis, Brian and Ginny told us that I might be a fit for a new project with universities in Central Asia. I was intrigued by the possibil

by Dr. Walter Lee, MD MHS, Department of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences Duke University Medical Center The Exchange Fellowship Program represents a cornerstone of REI's mission to build people who build nations. This fall, I had the privilege of hosting two exceptional physicians from Vietnam: Dr. Quynh Anh Nguyen from the Department of Otolaryngology at Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi, and Dr. Huu Ngoc Minh Phan from the Department of Otolaryngology at Hue Univers

by James Kang, Country Leader, Vietnam   Building people to build nations is a mission that REI started in Vietnam more than 30 years ago. In this time, we have seen the positive impact of our contribution on the country’s development through short-term professional team volunteers and long-term resident staff. Ms. Lien laughing with a colleague in Vietnam Now, you have the opportunity to hear directly from the field about how REI has and continues to work toward our mission.

by Andy Petersen, Director of Advancement, REI HQ   “Why should I give to your organization?” This is a common question people ask me, particularly around this time of year, when they are being inundated with multiple requests for donations. I have worked in many nonprofit organizations. If I have learned anything, a donor’s motivation for giving is deeply personal.  For some, it can be merely “philanthropy.” An altruistic mindset to increase the well-being of humankind, as b

by Cathy Guither, REI Field Staff and Director, International School of Djibouti Strategically located to be an epic center for world trade, Djibouti is at the heart of international living. With eight military bases, 27 foreign embassies, and refugees from surrounding countries, Djibouti hosts a wide variety of nationalities. Though the official language is French, many converse in English because of international relations.   ISD pre-K/kindergarten class Given the diverse p

by Randy Vernon, Uzbekistan, Country Leader   In a land far away – where caravans of camels plodded on the Silk Road, domed mosques still...

When ancient meets modern The first 1,000 days Working with women in preparation for childbirth has given me ample opportunity to learn...

by Jake Fettig, Country Leader, Indonesia Jake with his friend and colleague, Adam Although the vision and mission of REI remain constant...

by Brian Teel, former REI Vietnam Country Leader REI was created to bring a real exchange of ideas and understanding – to bring professional training, focused on equipping nationals to train others as they work together to build their communities and countries – while we receive deepened cultural understanding and refinement to why we do what we do the way we do it. This is just a glimpse into how REI got started building one of its most effective programs in helping to bring

The Fall 2025 Otology Team to Hanoi, Vietnam had four primary goals Deepen relationships and fellowship with our Vietnamese partners and...

by Maryellen Morgan, Director of Recruiting, HQ   What do a 20-year-old college student, a 37-year-old engineer and a 53-year-old college...

By Josiah Ng, New Singapore Field Staff to Uzbekistan   Josiah (wearing a tradional Uzbekistan "doppa" or cap) describes his trip there...

By Wendy Moore, Director of Communications, HQ   Showing up on time for wedding receptions in Kazakhstan is a very big mistake: One that...

by Country Leader, Egypt   Susu, two years old On December 28, 2007, my life radically changed. A tiny little girl named SuSu was born...

By Titus Dallmann, Apprentice, Uzbekistan   I first heard about REI from my brother. This led to an opportunity to go to the REI staff...

by K. Douglas Erdmann, President & CEO Two weeks. 22,467 miles. Last month Joyce and I circled the globe, jetting to Cairo, Djibouti,...

by Andy Petersen, Director of Advancement, REI HQ I am a firm believer in the old adage, "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day;...

Dr. Austin Raunikar is a pediatric cardiologist from Greenville, South Carolina, working at Pristine Health. He has partnered with REI...