IDEO.org

Senior Visual Designer

human centered solutions for underserved communities

Case Study: Kishua Academy

IDEO.org and PSI partnered together to design an economic empowerment (EE) program on top of an existing sexual reproductive health (SRH) program for young adolescent girls in rural Tanzania.

Over a 3 month period, we collaborated intensely with the PSI research team in Tanzania to gather insights around girls between 15-19 years old; their communities, and have a better understanding of their hopes, dreams, and pain points. Kishua Academy builds on the narrative behind Kuwa Mjanja of every girl having the skills and resources to determine her own future. We designed 8 different prototypes, ranging from various mentorship models, to self-paced business kits, to celebratory business fairs.
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1. Research and Empathize

In 2021, I worked with IDEO.org & PSI initiative to build economic empowerment program on top of existing sexual reproductive health program (Kuwa Mjanja) for girls in Tanzania and 2 regions in Nigeria (Ogun & Kaduna).

Due to pandemic precautions and an IDEO focus to co-design directly with the communities, we worked with local PSI research teams in Tanzania and Nigeria throughout entire process.

2. Themes and insights

Following synthesis sessions, we clustered our obervations into specific themes. Using these themes as an anchor, we began to craft insights that could serve as launching pads for indeas or inspiration.

For example, we learned that girls' aspirations were often limited by who she could see, and what she could imagine. Thus, part of our solution centered around creating more mentorship and exposure opportunities.

3. Design opportunities and reframing

We began to reframe initial problems (such as "lack of access to capital") into potential solutions using the "How Might We," framework.

Throughout the process, we continued to work remotely with the girls in the community through local research teams. As we learned more about their daily lifestyle and motivations; we expanded on our understanding of the various profiles we could design for.

4. Prototyping

We designed 7 prototypes in total to test. Our ideas ranged from a take home career toolkit, to a peer mentorship program, to a decision making game, to vocational training camps.

Each prototype had a set of learning goals for each step. To test the learning goals, we also designed surveys and activities that were localized and appropriate for our users and their influencers.

5. Testing and iteration

We learned through our prototypes that girls had a broad range of financial and personal aspirations. These required more than a simple toolkit or mentorship program. Instead, what girls desired were older female mentors to guide their financial goals, and peer friends who could act as older sisters for relational advice.

Our next iteration combined multiple prototype ideas to leverage existing community knowledge, and also leveraged the local expertise of PSI researchers. We tested a mini version of a skills academy, followed by a wildly successful marketplace festival celebrating female entrepreneurs.

6. Ship and measure

Our final delivery to PSI was a wholistic program that encompassed generational mentorship and upskilling for girls. At the same time, we continued to link them to resources for sexual wellness and health.

Generational Mentorship

“Kishua Academy” is designed to be a mentor-based program where a girl can be guided through every stage of her entrepreneurial journey. Throughout the program, she attends business and vocational workshops, is matched with both a peer mentor and more experienced business mentor, and is linked to contraceptive resources through Kuwa Mjanja. They also have the option of joining a savings group led by a community role model.

Following the success of Kishua Academy, we expanded this model for girls in Kilifi County, Kenya.

Key Takeaways

1. Creating inclusive opportunities for celebration and education are important for empowering communities at a broader level

2. Girls desire a rich community of mentors to whom she can continuously look to for advice, and learn from in a practical, hands-on manner

3. Co-designing with local experts can feel awkward, but ultimately results in more relevant solutions that can continue to empower communities over time