In 2013, I collaborated with the Nike Foundation and design agency Fuse Project to co-create tangible, real-world solutions—termed “Direct Physical Assets”—designed to meet the needs of girls.
While girls often need social and financial support, they frequently express a desire for direct physical assets, practical tools that help them navigate their everyday lives.
Yet few initiatives focus on designing physical assets for girls, or on creating solutions that can scale effectively.
Working closely with communities and girls across Rwanda, we developed practical, scalable concepts including an efficient super stove, a reusable sanitary napkin, a solar-powered light, and a simple sewing machine.
We created prototypes of these concepts and tested them directly within local communities to ensure they were practical, effective, and aligned with girls’ needs.
We actively listened to girls and their communities, gaining a deep understanding of which concepts added real value to their lives and why.
While communities and girls initially expressed a strong desire for a sewing machine, deeper conversations revealed that what they truly needed most was a reusable sanitary napkin.
The “Direct Physical Asset” project was recognized by Core77 2014 Design Awards for Strategy and Research.