Building What Lasts: Why People Are the Greatest Investment

by Wendy Moore, Director of Communications, REI HQ

“The greatest use of a life is to spend it on something that will outlast it.” – William James

In a world defined by constant change, it can feel overwhelming to keep up. Needs are shifting. Disparities are evolving. And from where we stand, it’s easy to wonder whether our efforts can truly make a lasting difference. But the truth is this: meaningful, lasting impact doesn’t come from keeping up with change, it comes from investing in what endures.

And nothing endures like people.

REI summer interns explore The Registan in Samarkand, Uzbekistan

There is a world beyond our immediate view: communities filled with potential, leaders with vision and institutions striving to grow stronger. At REI, we believe the most powerful way to create sustainable transformation is by building human capacity from within people’s own communities.

Because when we build people, we build nations.

A Model Built on Partnership

For more than 35 years, REI has been invited into countries around the world, not to impose solutions, but to listen to what kind of solutions people say they need.

We begin by asking government and institutional leaders a simple but profound question: What do you need? These self-determined priorities then shape everything we do. From there, we assess how our resources, especially our people, can best come alongside and support those goals. And consistently, one reality emerges: the need for skilled, committed people far exceeds the resources available.

REI's Indonesia team celebrating with the short-term business team - the beginning of the newly established local nonprofit, Holistika

Multiplying Impact Through People

That’s why REI focuses on a multiplying model of impact.

We don’t just train individuals, we invest in people who will go on to train others, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond a single program or moment in time.

This happens through

• Long-term resident staff, who live and work in-country, building deep relationships and providing consistent, contextualized support.

• Short-term professional teams, who bring expertise in fields like healthcare, education, business and agriculture, equipping local leaders with practical skills and knowledge.

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As one REI volunteer shared this:

“Professional growth requires not just technical skill development, but also the ability to understand and navigate diverse perspectives – something these cross-cultural exchanges cultivate naturally.” – Dr. Walter Lee, Duke University Medical Center

This is where transformation takes root, not only in what is taught but in the exchange itself.

REI's newest staff arrives in Almaty, Kazakhstan for her two-year apprenticeship

The Opportunity Ahead

Right now, the opportunity is greater than ever.

REI is engaging with over 100 prospective candidates who expressed interest in serving in 2025. At the same time, we are working to fill more than 30 open resident staff positions across six countries, places like Kazakhstan and Morocco and Vietnam, where the demand for skilled professionals continues to grow.

Meeting this need requires more than programs. It requires people who are willing to step forward. People with expertise, yes, but also with humility, curiosity and a desire to contribute to something larger than themselves.

A Unique Role: Mobilizing Those Who Will Go

To meet this growing demand, REI is also seeking someone to join our team in a critical role: mobilizing.

This is not just about filling positions. It’s about finding the right people, those who are ready to serve on the front lines of development work, who understand that their skills can be a catalyst for long-term change. It’s an opportunity for someone who believes deeply in the value of people and thrives on connecting individuals to meaningful purpose. Because at REI, people are both the resource we provide and the resource we are committed to developing.

Be Part of What Lasts

If you’ve ever wondered whether your work, your skills or your time could make a difference, the answer is yes.

The question is: Where will you invest your life?

If you, or someone you know, are interested in joining our recruiting team as a Mobilizer, please send your CV to our Director of Recruiting, Maryellen Morgan, at mmorgan@reiinc.org.

Because the greatest investment you can make is one that outlasts you.