GML Scholars Past and Present
Current Cohort
2024 GML Scholar: Emily Ortiz Escobar
Emily Ortiz Escobar is our inaugural GML scholarship recipient from Latin America. Emily is joining us from Guatemala City, Guatemala, where she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala. Emily describes Guatemala as a “country of incomparable richness in ecological diversity, ethnicity, culture and traditions, languages and food. There are many strings that are woven in our country, some bright and joyful, others dark and painful.” Emily is interested in learning more about community & program development and is especially passionate about integrating her faith and vocation.
Alumni Stories
Brooke Abuya, MSW ‘15
Nairobi, Kenya
Passionate about the needs of vulnerable individuals, Brooke works as a caseworker at the Church World Service, Africa conducting refugee prescreens throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. As he works, he envisions an app bringing together communities across Kenya to support children in crisis.
To read more about Brooke's experience in child welfare and his hope to bring Kenyan communities together using a smart phone application, click here.
Dhiana “Dyen” Anggraeni, MSW ‘17
Papua, Indonesia
Dyen is a highly accomplished and experienced child rights practitioner and advocate working as a Child Protection Officer for UNICEF Indonesia, specifically in communities in Papua, a rural and secluded island of Indonesia. Currently, Dyen sees a gap in support between formal government institutions, faith-based services, and more informal grassroots organizations. She dreams of a more integrated network of support for vulnerable children connecting all social services across the many islands.
To read more about Dyen's thoughts on connecting social services across all of Indonesia's many islands click here.
Shade Atanda, MSW '21
Sokoto, Nigeria
Shade Atanda is a missionary, lawyer and Social Worker, currently working in community development projects with Zion World Prayer, Zether Al-Umm Foundation, and Global Hope Network International. She is applying a Transformational Community Development Approach where she identifies and coaches community leaders, develops project champions, and helps vision cast with key stakeholders.
To read more about Shade and the Transformational Community Development Approach, click here.
Mukupa and Chad Harrod, MSW '15
Ndola, Zambia
Mukupa Musonda Harrod (GML Scholarship Recipient) and her husband, Chad, met during their MSW studies in the Diana R. Garland School of Social work. After relocating to Zambia and starting work at a Christian University, the began to notice a chronic population of “street boys” on their commute. After meeting the boys willing to talk and finding out more about the persistent challenged facing these young men, Mukupa and Chad are currently exploring how to bring relief to this aching population.
To read more about Mukupa and Chad and their heart for the homeless children in their community, click here.
Belinda Onyango, MSW ‘19
Nairobi, Kenya
Belinda is currently the Program Manager for adoptions at Buckner International and is passionate about a “Prepare to Care” training curriculum for families going through the adoption process. In her role, she has finalized 42 adoptions with Kenyan families in 2020 and co-authored a user-friendly booklet for Kenyan families interested in adopting.
To read more about Belinda's work with adoptions in Kenya and her training curriculum for Kenyan families going through the adoption process, click here.
Rose Wasike, MSW '15
Kitale, Kenya
Rose Wasike worked with vulnerable children and families for over 10 years before traveling to the United States to earn her MSW at Baylor University. Upon graduating and returning to Kitale, Rose was able to apply the Family Hope Center Model in many Kenyan communities, a model she developed. Currently, the model is implemented across five family centers working in foster, kinship and residential programs.
To read more about Rose and Family Hope Center Model, click here.