IFP Kenya Fellow Esther Solonka is receiving a master's degree in Educational Policy and Leadership from Ohio State University, U.S. In this poignant interview, she describes her childhood as a Massai girl, her unexpected educational opportunity, and why she plans to develop new rites of passage that will ensure a healthy future for Massai girls and women. "It's got to start from somebody, somewhere. I'm able to bring change back to the girls at home," says Esther. "They can learn from me that it is possible."
What messages are you bringing back to your community? What new traditions have you started?
Let us know; add your comments to our Facebook page.
READ ESTHER'S PORTRAIT: My Journey To A Master's Degree
Wanida Jiamram is receiving a master's degree in Culture and Development from Mahidol University in Thailand. Here, she discusses her work on cultural and linguistic preservation, and why it's important to stay close to your roots: "Some languages are lost to the world... I think we need to save ethnic languages. That means we respect the culture of the small ethnic groups. We make people proud of themselves." Whether or not your studies focus on preservation, how might you be contributing to a similar movement? Please share your thoughts on Facebook.
Elizabeth Koomson is an IFP Fellow from Ghana pursuing a master's degree at the University of Michigan, US. She works to educate women in Ghana about health issues and to organize them for participation in policy. How does YOUR work relate to community organizing? What are the benefits of a grassroots approach? We'd love to read your comments on Facebook.
In this video, IFP India Fellow Syed Khalid Jamal asks fellows and alumni to reach out to each other. "I would like to see Ford Fellows across the world talking to each other more often about their vision of the world. What kind of world do they want to build? How can they all come together and work on a common platform, while engaging in different kinds of interventions?" Do you agree? We'd love to read your comments on Facebook.
Elizabeth Ngumbi is an IFP Fellow from Kenya currently pursuing a PhD in Cultural Studies in Education at Ohio University in the US. In this video, Elizabeth asks: "How are people who do not speak the common language getting on board into the education system in different countries? How are the refugees in different countries getting into the education system? Is it easy for them? How do they navigate?" Join the conversation on Facebook.
From the IFP Secretariat
An interview with Executive Director Joan Dassin, at the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) held in Doha, Qatar.
International Partner Videos
India
Beacons of Hope
Beacons of Hope from Ford IFP on Vimeo.
Beacons of Hope highlights the origins, journeys and returns of four India IFP Fellows, now alumni, and the challenges they faced on their way to becoming social justice leaders. Produced by the Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program, New Delhi, India. www.ifpsa.org
Kenya
Mohamed Hussein Shally
Russia
IFP Russia Fellows
Philippines
Maricel Jarencio and Panchito Labay
South Africa
Donna Makoboka
