International trends & services (ITS)

ITS Overview

The International Trends and Services facet provides services and delivers transformational programs to people of African ancestry globally so that they may have a better quality of life. Programs are designed and developed to service educational, health and cultural needs and to help people emerge from poverty. A primary objective of our international work is to enrich the lives of women and their families.

Our “boots on the ground” approach provides for more personalized methods for assisting and improving the lives of women, children and men worldwide through long-term programs committed to empowerment and public policy leadership in advocating for social justice.

Since the International Trends and Services Facet was formed in 1970, The Links, Incorporated has demonstrated its commitment to enriching and sustaining the cultural and economic survival of people of African ancestry, through friendship and service. The Links have:

• Adopted schools in South Africa, Liberia, Ghana and Jamaica

• Built The Links Maternal Waiting Homes in Liberia

• Provided MaamaKits in Liberia and Uganda in partnership with the World Health Organization

• Partnered with Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures and performed several thousand dental exams over three years at three primary schools in Jamaica

• Helped train 4th-6th grade students in CPR

• Donated nearly 1,000 books to Links Friendship Library and for students to take home

• Donated nearly 200 Amazon Kindles in Jamaica

• Donated a Links Computer Lab

• Donated an Ultra Sound Machine to Falmouth Public Hospital in Jamaica

• Dug wells in Haiti

• Assisted in building homes for Haitian refugees at the San Diego, California border

• Provided hospital equipment, dental and medical care in Ghana and Haiti

The Wichita (KS) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated has a long standing service model through our local International Trends and Services Facet.  The Global Girls Group is a program established in 2026 to mentor girls 13-15 in Uganda.  This program is built on empowering African American youth 8th-12th grade girls and youth girls ages 13-15 of African descent with the knowledge that they are part of a global community and can access the benefits of international coaching of life skills needed during middle and high school years, if they are properly prepared. This program has a comprehensive curriculum that addresses key life skills, such as communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, financial literacy and self-esteem and incorporates international perspectives and cultural exchange opportunities.

International Women's Day is celebrated by partnering with the Wichita Children's Home.  Young women who are housed receive care packages and inspirational information to build self esteem.