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Stories from the Field by Geoffrey Tam (F’20)

by jtijssen
Stories from the Field by Geoffrey Tam (F’20) Sep 13

During my first stakeholder meeting with Kwangu Kwako, Ltd. (KKL), I had the opportunity to meet Milka Achieng, a charismatic young woman who has grown up in Kibera’s Gatwekera neighborhood. Kibera is referred by many as Africa’s largest slum with an estimated population of around 250,000 people. Milka had worked with KKL on data collection in the past and would be helping me on this round of interviews as well.

Milka shared her experience living and working in Africa’s most infamous settlement, from the dynamics of power and justice to land ownership and education. While her community is unquestionably under-resourced, Milka received a free education up until secondary school via an NGO-operated program promoting girls’ education.

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Jul 23
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Arriving in Dubai, Acclimating, and Beginning Work by Connor Doyle (A’21)

by tuftsigl

The 13-hour flight to Dubai consisted of me sleeping and conversing with the Bangladeshi woman sitting next to me; she was traveling with her daughter to see her family and parents back home. Two-thirds of the world’s population lives within an eight-hour flight from Dubai.

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Jul 18
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Public Works by Colin Steele (F’3G)

by tuftsigl

I have read that the urge to create begins as a tickle and turns into a bonfire. In this first report on the project I am calling Public Works, let me try to describe the idea that has been tickling me for the past few years and the beacon I am hoping to light.

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Jul 12
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Your Place, My Place: Investing in the Strength of Nairobi’s Informal Settlements by Geoffrey Tam (F’20)

by tuftsigl

Five major components define a slum household according to UN Habitat: lack of access to an improved water source, lack of access to improved sanitation facilities, lack of sufficient living area, lack of housing durability, and lack of security of tenure.

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Jun 19
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The Empowerment Seascape of the Mediterranean by Vanessa DiDomenico (F’21)

by tuftsigl

This summer, I am spending three weeks in Greece conducting research to help in the creation of a maritime-centered, youth non-profit. The goal of the non-profit is to raise awareness about the industry, while finding roles for youth and young professionals to become more involved and empowered.

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Sep 21
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Sustainable Menstruation in India: “Greening the Red” by Rashi Rathi (F’18)

by jtijssen

While surveying women about their menstrual management practices in Bengaluru, India, I was surprised to learn that more than 80 percent of the respondents were concerned about their environmental footprint from using disposable sanitary napkins.

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Aug 27
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A Tale of HeroRATs by Grishma Rimal (F’19)

by tuftsigl

Rats save lives. When I first heard this unusual phrase, as an intern at Ashoka, I was perplexed and curious. How? My mind lingered on this question for a while.

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Aug 21
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Inefficiencies in the Indian Menstrual Health Marketplace by Rashi Rathi (F’18)

by tuftsigl

I am studying the potential of technology to improve women’s healthcare as part of my Masters’ thesis at The Fletcher School, Tufts University, and I am supported by the Institute for Global Leadership in this endeavor.

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Aug 21
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Changing the World, One Community at a Time by Grishma Rimal (F’19)

by tuftsigl

What is social entrepreneurship?

This question has resurfaced time and again during my time at Tufts University. The only consistency I have found in the answers I receive is the caveat that there is no formalized definition or response for it.

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Aug 16
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The Importance of Training: Community Health Work in Kenya by Olivia Ng (A’20)

by tuftsigl

As someone who comes from a technologically literate generation, sometimes it is difficult for me to imagine what it might be like to not know how to use a cell phone. These thoughts are then tempered when I remember how difficult it is for me to pick up an Android when I am so used to the touch of an iPhone.

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