We believe people grow and thrive together. This belief is the foundation of all we do. We strive to empower and entrust communities to be at the center of their own development through collaborative and innovative changemaking. In December of 2010, ICPSD co-founder Dr. Romuald Afatchao led a group of University of Idaho students on a service trip to Ghana. Passionate about the continent of his birth and expanding the cultural competency of American students, Dr. Afatchao challenged the students to see beyond the excitement of being in an new country and to look deeper into themselves and the situations they observed and participated in. One of these students was ICPSD co-founder Whitney Schroeder. Their shared experiences led to discussions and contemplations regarding the development of Africa and the impact of outside aid and influences. Some of the most impactful and profound observations surrounded the historical roles and impacts of aid in developing countries