Greenheart believes in connecting people and planet through fair trade, personal development, environmentalism, and volunteerism. Our cultural exchange programs help create global leaders by building mutual understanding and fostering diplomacy. Greenheart further encourages our alumni to give back to their communities through our Global Impact Grant.
A Greenheart Global Impact Grant is a financial award of up to $2,000 given to exemplary members of the Greenheart community. It provides current participants and alumni with the opportunity to create, improve, or maintain a community-focused project abroad or at home. This year, Greenheart Co-Founder, Laura Rose hand-picked the Fall Awardees. As the Greenheart alumni network continues to expand, we are proud to say that more and more of our participants are working towards an environmentally sustainable, socially just, and peaceful world.
Please join us in congratulating our THREE Fall 2025 Awardees:
- Naomi Chepkemoi // Kenya
- Thi Kim Hang Ho // Vietnam
- Isha Philips // Jamaica
Naomy Chepkemoi is a passionate environmental advocate and computer science graduate from Rongo University, Kenya who participated in Greenheart’s Work and Travel program in 2025. Growing up in Olmekenyu, she experienced the daily struggle of accessing clean water – a challenge that inspired her to launch Olmekenyu Drops of Dignity, a project providing safe and sustainable water to the local health center and community. Also, she leads initiatives like Safisha Planet and the EcoTuzo Project, focusing on plastic waste management and environmental education. As a current Greenheart Ambassador, and now a Greenheart Impact Grant recipient, Naomy seeks to empower women and youth through sustainable innovation and restore dignity through access to clean water.
Her Project: The Olmekenyu Drops of Dignity – Restoring Life Through Water
“The need for this project did not come from the outside – it was identified directly by the people of Olmekenyu themselves. For years, the community has struggled with limited and unsafe water, and the health center, which serves as the lifeline for hundreds of families, currently depends on just one unfiltered tank. This tank often runs dry, and the water it stores is not safe for patients, newborns, or even basic sanitation.
This project proposes a simple, immediate, and sustainable solution: a rainwater harvesting and storage system at Olmekenyu Health Centre. Using locally available materials we will capture and store clean rainwater for use in the clinic and the surrounding community. A simple gravel-and-charcoal filter will improve quality, while a local Water & Hygiene Committee will be trained to manage the system, ensure its upkeep, and protect it as a community resource.” – Naomy Chepkemoi
Thi Kim Hang (Kim) Ho is a Vietnamese youth climate advocate and social innovator passionate about bridging technology, policy, and community action. Aside from being an alumna of Greenheart’s Work and Travel program in 2025, she is also the founder and CEO of SmartGrid, an energy-tech startup using AI to reduce waste, and the founder of the Mekong Youth Climate Policy Lab, empowering young changemakers to shape inclusive climate policies. With over four years of experience working in nonprofit organizations on advocacy, gender equality, and youth empowerment, Kim also serves as a youth leader with Plan International’s Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) for Climate Justice and Gender Equality and leads the Asia-Pacific GenJust Youth Network by UNODC. Her work lies at the intersection of AI, climate innovation, and social impact, advancing a vision of equitable and sustainable development driven by youth.
Her Project: Mekong Youth Climate Policy Lab
“The Mekong Youth Climate Policy Lab (MYCPL) is designed to strengthen youth leadership in one of the most climate-vulnerable regions of the world. The Mekong Delta, home to over 20 million people, faces severe climate threats – saltwater intrusion, flooding, and agricultural loss. These crises demand urgent action. MYCPL addresses this gap by equipping young leaders with knowledge, research skills, and practical experience in policy engagement. This project is not only about training youth; it is about giving them the tools and the voice to shape the future of their communities.” – Thi Kim Hang Ho
Isha Philips is an alumna of Greenheart’s Work and Travel program (2024). As the second youngest of nine children in a single parent household, she is motivated by her mother’s hard work caring for her family. This life experience encouraged Isha to work harder and to create a positive impact on others in similar situations. A recent graduate from the Northern Caribbean University with an undergraduate degree in Psychology, Isha is committed to supporting individuals with different psychological, social, and/or physical needs or challenges. Volunteering has always been an area of passion for Isha and her personal philosophy is “it takes nothing to love, share and support.” As Isha continues to grow as a young professional, she is dedicated to giving back to her community, country, and the wider diaspora.
Her Project: Self-Care Day initiative at Nain High School
“The purpose of this initiative is to promote the overall well-being of students by creating awareness about the importance of self-care, personal hygiene, and mental health. Many students face challenges that affect their ability to attend school regularly and confidently, including limited access to essential hygiene products. Input from student leaders made it clear that addressing hygiene-related barriers is a critical step toward improving student well-being, academic performance, and school attendance.” – Isha Philips
Congratulations to our three Fall 2025 winners! We can’t wait to share how their projects progress.
