Our Programs

Educational Programs

Community-Driven Development Forum

In 2019, our commitment to cross-cultural learning led to the BCF Community-Driven Development Forum, which was held in Arusha, Tanzania. With a theme of “Sustainable Development,” the Forum was attended by participants from four countries – the United States, Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. The Forum’s attendees heard presentations from professionals and local leaders, honed and developed skills and new techniques, participated in small group breakout sessions, and engaged in dynamic, thought-provoking discussions.

Captivate Media Fellowship Program

In an effort to nurture and support the careers of emerging journalists in East Africa, GPFD announces the launch of its Captivate Media Fellowship program. Slated to begin in the Winter of 2021, the inaugural Captivate fellow will work with the GPFD team in Kenya to capture images of various on-the-ground projects, as well as interview many of the key players involved. The three-month-long fellowship will focus on a wide range of issues, including education, climate change and community-led development.
The Captivate program will be overseen by journalist and GPFD Editorial Producer, Marisa Mazria Katz. Since starting her career as a journalist two decades ago, Katz has worked with numerous non-profits and the US State Department to launch journalism initiatives that support nascent journalists working all over the world.
Our inaugural Captivate fellow is Winfrida Otieno. Winfrida is an emerging journalist interested in telling stories through documentary filmmaking and photography–stories that highlight and propose sustainable solutions to societal challenges. Currently she works as a part time, social media manager, digital marketer, photographer and videographer in Kisumu, Kenya.
Previously, Winfrida volunteered with the communications and public relations department at Hope for Victoria Children (HOVIC) in Kisumu. At HOVIC, she was tasked with providing communications support, event management and documenting many events through photography and videography. She has also had professional affiliations with such organizations as the National Construction Authority-Kisumu, the County Government of Kisumu, Public Procurement Regulatory Authority and Lake Victoria North Water Sanitation Board.
Winfrida holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Public Relations and Advertising from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology. She also has certificates in basic photography and videography skills from One Vibe Africa, and the Canon & Nairobi Bus Urban Storytelling Photography Workshop.

Fellowship Program

The BCF Fellowship Program provides a unique study abroad experience that enables students to learn by doing. After completing an intensive pre-departure curriculum, students travel to Tanzania to live with host families, work alongside Global Partners staff, and learn directly from school leaders and community members about grassroots development work.

Piper Lowinger

2019 Fellow

Harrison Fuller

2019 Fellow

Spencer VanDerStarren

2020 Fellows (postponed due to COVID-19)

Madeleine McMurray & Malory Henry

2018 Fellows

Jillian Weber

2020 Fellows (postponed due to COVID-19)

Winfrida Otieno

Captivate Media Fellowship Program

International Lecture Series

In 2022, we aim to foster global awareness and international collaboration through a lecture series at Whittier College. We will bring together students, scholars, international experts, and leaders from the United States and East Africa to share knowledge and engage in important conversations regarding current trends and critical issues in East Africa. The lecture series will encourage the Whittier community as well as members of the general public to see things from a new perspective and explore ideas that will shape our global future.

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