How might we design a better world?

Copyright ©2024 the Kumquat. All rights reserved.

How might we design a better world?

Copyright ©2024 the Kumquat. All rights reserved.

A young african mother smiling at the viewer, wearing a headwrap and carrying her child (a toddler with braided hair) on her back

IDEO.org

IDEO.org

IDEO.org

How we designed a solution that leveraged generational mentorship in rural communities

How we designed a solution that leveraged generational mentorship in rural communities

How we designed a solution that leveraged generational mentorship in rural communities

Industry

nonprofit

Services

Banking

She owns her future

She owns her future

She owns her future

IDEO.org and PSI partner together to design an economic empowerment (EE) program and sexual reproductive health (SRH) program for teen girls in Sub-Saharan Africa
A breakdown of the four key personas, each illustrating how a specific participant may benefit from the Kishua Academy program.
A breakdown of the four key personas, each illustrating how a specific participant may benefit from the Kishua Academy program.
A breakdown of the four key personas, each illustrating how a specific participant may benefit from the Kishua Academy program.

After three weeks of intensive research and user interviews, we synthesized our findings into four key personas, each illustrating how a specific participant may benefit from the Kishua Academy program.

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 a wildly successful business fair.

With the right enabling policies, Africa could be home to more than 70 gigawatts of solar PV capacity by 2030


Africa has 60% of the world’s best solar resources, but only 1% of solar generation capacity.*


Africa is one of the regions most at risk from climate change, although it only emits about 4% of greenhouse gas emissions globally.

3 illustrations of young black women representing the programs created to target three key roles: young girls (career bintis), peer mentors (career dadas), and seasoned expert mentors (career mamas).
3 illustrations of young black women representing the programs created to target three key roles: young girls (career bintis), peer mentors (career dadas), and seasoned expert mentors (career mamas).
3 illustrations of young black women representing the programs created to target three key roles: young girls (career bintis), peer mentors (career dadas), and seasoned expert mentors (career mamas).

We discovered a universal need for support in every stage of the girls' entrepreneurial endeavors. Our program addresses this by encompassing three key roles: young girls (career bintis), peer mentors (career dadas), and seasoned expert mentors (career mamas).

Insights

Insights

Insights

Through our research, we learned that girls' aspirations were often limited by who she could see, and what she could imagine.
Through our research, we learned that girls' aspirations were often limited by who she could see, and what she could imagine.
Through our research, 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. Here are some key takeaways we had as a team from the initiative:

  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

With the right enabling policies, Africa could be home to more than 70 gigawatts of solar PV capacity by 2030


Africa has 60% of the world’s best solar resources, but only 1% of solar generation capacity.*


Africa is one of the regions most at risk from climate change, although it only emits about 4% of greenhouse gas emissions globally.

A flow diagram with arrows and sticky notes to outline personalized pathways for career bintis, dadas, and mamas through the Kishua Academy program.
A flow diagram with arrows and sticky notes to outline personalized pathways for career bintis, dadas, and mamas through the Kishua Academy program.
A flow diagram with arrows and sticky notes to outline personalized pathways for career bintis, dadas, and mamas through the Kishua Academy program.

We began to outline personalized pathways for career bintis, dadas, and mamas; enabling them to participate in and celebrate initiatives that gives them agency over their financial and health welfare.

Outcomes

Outcomes

Outcomes

Our final design: "Kishua Academy," offers a structured mentorship program, designed to navigate girls step-by-step through their 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 also expanded this model for girls in Kilifi County, Kenya.

Graphic assets and samples from the Kishua Academy manuals and cards used to engage participation and mentors in the Kishua Academy initiative
Graphic assets and samples from the Kishua Academy manuals and cards used to engage participation and mentors in the Kishua Academy initiative
Graphic assets and samples from the Kishua Academy manuals and cards used to engage participation and mentors in the Kishua Academy initiative

Finalized Kishua Academy assets created for girls, mentors, and program facilitators; intended to engage participants and mentors, and educate community leaders as advocates for the initiative.

“I feel I am more confident now. I improved my business. I see that what I do has more value than I thought.”

Kishua Academy mentee

“I feel I am more confident now. I improved my business. I see that what I do has more value than I thought.”

Kishua Academy mentee

“I feel I am more confident now. I improved my business. I see that what I do has more value than I thought.”

Kishua Academy mentee

TURN YOUR IDEAS INTO REALITY

Let's Create Something Extraordinary Together!

Tell us a little about your project, and one of our team members will reach out soon.

Vibrantly coloured abstract swirling object to represent the blend of innovative technology, strategy, design and digital experiences

TURN YOUR IDEAS INTO REALITY

Let's Create Something Extraordinary Together!

Tell us a little about your project, and one of our team members will reach out soon.

Vibrantly coloured abstract object swirling on the page to represent the blend of innovative technology, design and digital experiences

TURN YOUR IDEAS INTO REALITY

Let's Create Something Extraordinary Together!

Tell us a little about your project, and one of our team members will reach out soon.

Vibrantly coloured abstract swirling object to represent the blend of innovative technology, strategy, design and digital experiences

How might we design a better world?

Copyright ©2024 the Kumquat. All rights reserved.