As Global Partners for Development expands our Community-Driven Education program into Kenya, we’re thrilled to welcome Dora Achieng’ Okeyo to our team! Dora joins Global Partners as a Community Facilitator and will be based in Homa Bay County, Kenya, helping us to engage and empower communities there. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the United States International University – Africa, and brings extensive skills and experience in community engagement and monitoring & evaluation to the team.
Dora is a talented writer and communicator (fluent in English, Kiswahili, and Dholou!) and has diverse experience working with communities. In the water, sanitation, and health sector, Dora conducted interviews and focus groups for organizations including First Data Research Consultants Limited and Digital Divide Data Kenya Limited. At Digital Divide Data, she conducted meetings with school boards, teachers, students, and the public on a project that involved Kenya’s Ministry of Education and international partners.
Dora also has significant experience in data collection and project evaluation. Most recently with Feed the Future Partnering for Innovation, she garnered techniques for verifying data and found an appreciation for the importance of gathering feedback to understand the impact of a project.
On the most important thing she has learned about successful community engagement, Dora writes:
I learned that it is important to communicate project essentials like objectives, tasks, and milestones, to constantly evaluate every step you take, and to involve the community so they own the project. If the community understands the project, sees that you value their contribution towards it, and that they can have an improved livelihood by participating, then it is easier to fulfill objectives.
We couldn’t agree more and have no doubt that Dora will be an incredible addition to our team!
