In this episode of Philanthropod, host Anubha Rawat sits down with Diana Mason, Managing Director Australia at World Bicycle Relief. Born out of the 2004 tsunami response in Asia, World Bicycle Relief has evolved from a bicycle distributor into a pioneer in rural mobility for low-income communities. For the past 22 years, World Bicycle Relief has proven how a reliable and cost-effective bicycle can unlock significant opportunities for economic empowerment, education and healthcare in communities globally.

Together, Diana and Anubha track the evolution of World Bicycle Relief’s development model. They dive into the initial challenges of operating in environments where standard bicycles often lack the durability for rugged terrain, quickly becoming “bicycle-shaped objects” without spare parts or trained mechanics. In response, the team at World Bicycle Relief created the Buffalo Bicycle: a strong, purpose-built tool supported by an ecosystem of trained mechanics and access to high quality spare parts, designed to last a lifetime. With one million bicycles distributed across seven countries, World Bicycle Relief has moved beyond simple delivery to integrating mobility into school transport and healthcare systems at scale.

Ultimately, this conversation reminds us that with mobility comes possibility, and that by providing a robust tool and a supporting ecosystem, more people will have the freedom and autonomy to plan their own future.

Learn more about World Bicycle Relief here: worldbicyclerelief.org/

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In this conversation, host Anubha Rawat sits down with Neil Buddy Shah, CEO of the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), to take stock of where global health has landed after a difficult year, and to look seriously at what comes next.

CHAI works as a technical and strategic partner to governments in over 35 countries, sitting at the intersection of governments, business and health, negotiating the conditions that drive more equitable access to lifesaving medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics. It's a model with deep roots: CHAI was founded in 2002 at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and its early work negotiating drug prices is a case study in what's possible when the right stakeholders align around a clear goal. Crucially, CHAI only ever works at the invitation of governments, and that distinction shapes everything about how the partnership functions.

Buddy brings his expertise and CHAI's history to bear in this conversation, while staying firmly focused on what's ahead. He describes the current moment as defined by paradox: crisis on one side, and some of the most exciting scientific and biomedical developments in a generation on the other. And he's optimistic: periods of disruption, he reflects, are also opportunities to take stock, think differently, and do things differently.

From there, the conversation ranges widely. Buddy talks about the discipline of doing more with less, finding efficiencies without sacrificing coverage, helping ministries reanalyse budgets, and leveraging new sources of financing. He reflects on scientific breakthroughs as the thing that gives him the most hope, and what it takes to translate discovery into access for the people who need it most. As Chair of Anthropic AI's Long-Term Benefit Trust, he makes a case for why global health leaders should be thinking about AI's potential: not as a fix-all, but as a genuinely powerful technology that low-income countries could use to build healthcare models at scale. And because CHAI only ever enters a country at the invitation of its government, Buddy is attuned to what trust between implementers, governments, and funders actually looks like in practice, starting with humility, and with the conviction that the people closest to a problem are best placed to find its solutions.

On the future and what success looks like, he's both grounded and aspirational: ending the AIDS epidemic in Africa, driving real reductions in malaria mortality, and reaching a point where national governments are genuinely in charge of their own health systems. With better tools, more capital, and more technical knowledge than ever before, he believes these aspirations are within reach, if we're disciplined and intentional enough to pursue them.

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From selling $5 tote bags, water bottles or reusable face masks to their youth-based market, the Cotton On Foundation has become a model for how Australian businesses can make a transformative impact in international development.

In this episode, Philanthropod’s host, Anubha Rawat, sits down with Logan Whitaker: Global Engagement Manager at the Cotton On Foundation. Together, they explore the Cotton On Foundation’s journey, model and aspirations moving forward. Beginning in 2007 with the reconstruction of a single classroom in Uganda, the Cotton On Foundation now supports 22 schools in Uganda, alongside climate and mental health initiatives across four continents.

At the centre of their model is a commitment to partnering with government schools and fostering their financial independence through trust-based relationships and mobile money systems for fee collection. They also take a whole-of-systems approach - including focusing on leadership and identifying opportunities to support students past primary school, to high school, and even to vocational studies where possible. In many ways, the Cotton On Foundation occupies a unique space between international development funder and implementer.

Looking ahead, the Cotton On Foundation is now aiming to complete its mission in Uganda - a vision that requires the construction of 19 additional schools. Presenting a unique opportunity for the sector, they are now seeking businesses, corporates, and funders to partner with them to ensure that Uganda’s rapidly growing population has access to quality education for generations to come.

This episode is recommended listening for anyone interested in the evolving role of corporate foundations within Australia’s changing international development and philanthropic landscape.

Learn more about the Cotton On Foundation here: https://cottonongroup.com.au/the-good-we-do/cotton-on-foundation/ 

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How can Community Health Workers (CHWs) help scale locally-led health programs?

And why are leadership succession plans so vital for founder-led organisations?

In this episode of Philanthropod, host Anubha Rawat sits down with Jennifer Schechter (Co-Founder & CEO) and Emily Benson (Chief Partnerships Officer) of Integrate Health. Founded in Togo in 2004 with a focus on HIV healthcare, Integrate Health has since expanded to partner with the Togolese and Guinean governments to improve access to quality primary care by integrating CHWs into national systems. Holding over 700 community meetings each year, Integrate Health uses community-led data and digital tools to strengthen health outcomes. They collect 13,000 household surveys and track 150,000+ CHW visits annually, creating a vital feedback loop for continuous improvement - from maternal health to child mortality to vaccine delivery.

Throughout the episode, Anubha, Jennifer and Emily discuss the role that NGOs can play as “learning labs” for governments. Often facilitated by philanthropic funding, NGOs can take more risks, test ideas and generate evidence in ways governments can't. In turn, this provides evidence-based models that governments can adopt, ensuring long-term sustainability in line with national health policies.

The episode also explores the importance of leadership transitions in founder-led NFPs. After two decades as CEO, Jennifer will step back to join the Board in December 2025 and Emily will step in as CEO. This has been a deliberate and strategic decision to demonstrate both Integrate Health’s organisational resilience but also commitment to employee growth.

👉 Learn more about Integrate Health here: integratehealth.org

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Ben reflects on his journey from a bright-eyed medical student eager to save lives, to recognising a devastating gap in his training: there was no structured preparation for handling patients in life-or-death situations. During his years studying in South Africa, he witnessed trauma cases from stabbings, shootings, and road accidents being treated every day - cases he realised he had never seen in Kenya. The reason was stark: most Kenyan patients in emergencies never made it to the hospital at all.

That realisation set him on a mission to transform emergency care back home. Through EMKF, Ben has worked alongside government and healthcare providers to build a system that was once non-existent. From drafting Kenya’s first national emergency healthcare policy (now enshrined in law) to creating emergency protocols, training frontline providers, and expanding public ambulance services from zero to ten, his work has started to reshape the system. Emergency departments in counties across the country are being renovated and equipped, and thousands of patients are now receiving lifesaving care each year who otherwise would not have had a chance.

As EMKF has grown, its work has reached beyond Kenya, offering research, tools, and lessons to support neighbouring countries as they develop their own systems. Ben’s story is one of persistence and vision, showing how one determined physician can not only save lives at the bedside, but reimagine an entire nation’s approach to emergency care.

Tune in to hear how emergency medicine is being transformed in Kenya, and why Ben believes access to timely care must be recognised as a basic right.

Philanthropod is powered by the Australian International Development Network and hosted by Anubha Rawat.

Thank you to Compact Sound for editing and mixing. 

For more information about AIDN, and for more episodes, visit: www.aidnetwork.org.au.

For more information about Emergency Medicine Kenya Foundation, visit: https://www.emergencymedicinekenya.org/

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Dave and Kerry married in 1971, dropped out of university, and soon after started a small market stall in Sydney. By 1973 they had moved into opals and jewellery, and in 1979 with another couple they co-founded Clints Crazy Bargains. Over the next two decades the discount variety store grew to more than 100 outlets before being sold in June 2000. With four children and a lifetime of entrepreneurial lessons behind them, they turned their attention to giving.

The Rickards then spent ten years travelling the world, meeting hundreds of NGOs across dozens of countries. They saw duplication, wastage and an overemphasis on capacity development rather than capacity utilisation. Most of all, they realised the striking difference in costs, where meaningful change in low- and middle-income countries could be achieved at a fraction of the price. Those insights shaped their philanthropic philosophy: find existing infrastructure, resource it, and get the job done.

Today, through the DAK Foundation and the DAK International Network, their giving focuses on restorative eye surgery, essential medical equipment, women’s health and family planning.

In this episode, Dave and Kerry reflect on how they got started, the lessons they learned along the way, and the people who inspired their giving, including the legendary Chuck Feeney. With warmth and humour, they show that philanthropy can be bold, deeply human, and guided by a simple truth: it’s not just about where your money goes, but how it can create lasting change.

Thank you to Ian at Compact Sound for recording and mixing and our host Anubha Rawat.

Philanthropod is powered by the Australian International Development Network - www.aidnetwork.org.au

To find out more about the DAK Foundation and DAK International Network, visit: https://dak.org.au/ and https://dakinternational.org/

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What makes an impactful storyteller?

And is there a risk that funders might become skeptical if your marketing is “too slick?”

These are just a few of the thought-provoking questions we explore in the second episode of Season 12 of #Philanthropod.

Host Anubha Rawat sits down with Kevin L. Brown, CEO of Mighty Ally. In a world where only one in 1,000 non-profit organisations grow beyond a small business, Mighty Ally builds brands to maximise funding through its Fundable & Findable Framework. Kevin is also a leading voice on LinkedIn and Substack and just released his first book: Fundable & Findable: The Brand-New Way to Fix Your Nonprofit Fundraising.

Anubha and Kevin discuss Kevin’s transition from the advertising agency world to international development and the non-profit sector. Deeply influenced by the orphan crisis and his own experience as a father to three daughters from Uganda and China, Kevin began his journey in the sector by shadowing Lwala Community Alliance. Since then, his team has led some of the most powerful brand strategies for leading organisations including Food4Education and CHIC.

Throughout the episode, Anubha and Kevin unpack:

• Why positioning and clarity are critical for all non-profit organisations;
• How to scale without losing the “soul” of your organisation;
• What funders are really looking for and how to stand out; and 
• The simple, essential steps every organisation should take to strengthen its brand today.

If your organisation is looking to scale, feeling “stuck” in its fundraising, or hoping to diversify its donor base, this conversation is for you.

Learn more about Mighty Ally here: https://mightyally.org/about 

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From a free-range Australian childhood to volunteering in 1990s America, Leonie shares the pivotal moments that shaped her philanthropic path - from witnessing systemic inequality in food banks in America to a life-changing encounter in a Ugandan informal settlement where a family of nine slept in shifts on the floor because of poverty.

Now at the helm of the Bell Family Foundation, Leonie champions trust-based philanthropy and unrestricted giving, working alongside her daughter to back women-led organisations across the globe. She opens up about the personal motivations behind her commitment to women and girls, and how her approach to philanthropy changed after joining an AIDN Insight Tour.

Anubha and Leonie discuss influences, shared humanity and legacy. They agree on the importance of building trust with partners and why meeting grantees face-to-face continues to be one of her most powerful due diligence tools. 

As Leonie celebrates a milestone birthday this year, she reflects on the fun way she is incorporating this into her giving, and how philanthropy is bringing her more joy than she ever imagined.

With thanks to Leonie Bell, our host Anubha Rawat and Ian at Compact Sound. 

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In fact, in many low-income communities in the Majority World, menstrual hygiene products are often considered luxury items. Period poverty particularly affects young girls at a critical time in their lives, impacting their education and self-confidence. Many young girls in the Majority World even stop attending school because they are unequipped to manage menstruation.

But for Geena Dunne this issue had to be solved. Geena recognised that all women and girls deserve to menstruate with dignity and confidence. She also understood the powerful ripple effect that confident, educated women can have on their communities and economies.

In this episode of Philanthropod, Anubha Rawat meets with Geena Dunne - Founder and CEO of The Cova Project. Anubha and Geena discuss how The Cova Project provides menstrual cups and menstrual health education to girls and women in low-income communities around the world. They aim to bridge the school attendance gap, caused by period poverty.

What’s more? This episode also features on-the-ground perspectives from Lillian Bagala (Regional Director at the Irise Institute East Africa), Mr. Kisambira Eria (District Education Officer in Jinja and male champion of the menstrual cup), and three young women in Uganda whose lives have been changed by The Cova Project. These perspectives are captured by Anubha whilst she is on the road in Uganda, and allow our listeners to understand the wider impact and system in which The Cova Project takes place.

This episode is essential listening for anyone passionate about gender equality, women’s health, and the sensitive cultural conversations needed to truly empower young women around the world.

To learn more about The Cova Project follow the link: https://www.thecovaproject.com/

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For millions of people in the Majority World, this is a daily reality - where ambulance services are neither embedded nor coordinated into the health system, or are simply too expensive for low-income communities.

Striving to respond to this urgent gap, Caitlin Dolkart co-founded Flare Emergency Response - a subscription-based emergency-response platform, ensuring life-saving ambulance services for Kenyans. In this episode, Anubha Rawat and Caitlin discuss the Flare Emergency Response journey - from inception to launching in 2018, to now coordinating 800 ambulances and 70 aircraft, a roadside assistance program, and managing contracts in over a dozen countries in Africa, including Uganda and Tanzania.

Anubha and Caitlin also dive into finances, including how initial funding from philanthropy, venture capital and impact investors helped launch Flare Emergency Response, but why an ambulance membership model is key to long-term sustainability. They discuss the role of technology, how the team has worked to ensure coordination between existing health providers, and the innovative pricing models that make these emergency services accessible to as many as possible.

Ultimately, this powerful episode is an important reminder about how global development interventions require detailed systems-wide research for real gaps to be identified and for true impact to be created and scaled.

To learn more about Flare Emergency Response follow the link: https://flare.co.ke/ 

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Dr Ogunsanya discusses her pioneering work in patient-centred care and her leadership in Uganda’s local, regional and national fight against HIV/AIDS. AMS tests over 600 new clients each month, linking an average of 96 HIV-positive clients to comprehensive care. It also provides free antiretroviral treatment (ART) to over 13,000 clients, including 1,500 HIV-positive youth and adolescents. Annually, AMS serves over 218,000 vulnerable clients with high-quality HIV/AIDS and SRHR care.

The episode also gives our listeners a candid and on-the-ground insight into the impacts of the USAID funding freeze. Dr Ogunsanya describes the anxiety and fear the stop-work order has caused, and explains how AMS has had to reduce programs and medical provision – even despite a surge in client numbers as other clinics and services are shutting down.

Despite these circumstances, Dr Ogunsanya has been inspired by AMS’ incredible staff who have continued to work as volunteers and the ongoing support of other donors. Dr Ogunsanya’s vision of a world in which those in need of medical care have access to state-of-the-art medical services provided with love and dignity is only growing stronger.

For her work in HIV/AIDS care, women’s empowerment, and social development, Dr Ogunsanya has received a number of awards including Outstanding Humanitarian Work in Health and HIV/AIDS (Keep a Child Alive, 2007) and a recognition award from Uganda's Ministry of Health for her outstanding performance in HIV/AIDS response (2011).

To learn more about Alive Medical Services follow the link here: https://amsuganda.org/ 

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And, if a charity is truly succeeding… then shouldn't the charity eventually become redundant?

These provocative questions lie at the heart of Weh Yeoh’s book “Redundant Charities”. Weh Yeoh is our latest guest on Philanthropod: a five-time founder (including OIC Cambodia and Umbo), a physiotherapist, lecturer in leadership, writer and advocate for re-conceputalising the international charity sector.

Drawing on years of experience working for international charities, Weh argues that many international charities are not addressing the root causes of complex issues but are instead treating the symptoms. In turn, this “charity hamster wheel” of funding, grants and growth distracts from the charity’s core mission. Weh argues it is high-time that international charities start actively thinking of themselves as temporary, and embedding strategies to make themselves redundant into their own operations.

In this fascinating conversation with host Anubha Rawat, Weh explores:

• Why and how charities can make themselves redundant.
• Contexts where this approach may or may not work.
• How his theory intersects with other relevant concepts in international development such as localisation.

A standout moment in the discussion is Weh's advice to fellow founders: embrace the challenge of letting go of ego and making your role redundant. He reminds us that being a founder is just one facet of who you are—not the whole story. Weh also shares his thoughts on Australia’s nonprofit landscape compared to the international sector, offering fresh perspectives for changemakers everywhere.

To learn more about Weh and his various roles visit his website here: https://www.wehyeoh.com/ 

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Since her university days, Maria has devoted her career to building inclusive and resilient communities where those with disabilities can access adequate health and education services. Nearly thirteen years ago, Maria set up her first centre in the Kibera slums, serving just a handful of local community members. Today, The Action Foundation focuses on wider systems change, challenging stigmas against disabilities and working with the Kenyan government to ensure that all children with disabilities have access to education and health care at school.

Maria has also played a crucial role in various initiatives focused on inclusive education, early childhood care and education, and the sexual and reproductive health rights of women and girls with disabilities. For her exceptional work, Maria has earned numerous prestigious awards, including the Ford Motor Company International Fellowship, Cordes Fellowship, and Michelle Obama’s “Red Magazine UK’s 25 Visionaries to Watch”.

To learn more, tune into this episode to hear Philanthropod host, Anubha Rawat, in conversation with Maria. Anubha and Maria take the listeners through the highs and lows of The Action Foundation’s journey, reflect on the importance of finding your “people” in the development sector, and discuss how to ensure service delivery is maximised for all who need it. To end, they also discuss The Action Foundation’s pan-African strategy moving forward. Afterall, as Maria notes, impact will be maximised when it is “Africans creating African solutions".

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Did you know that two billion people suffer from this silent crisis globally, leading to 8000 preventable child deaths daily?

Nearly twenty years ago, Felix Brooks-Church had his first encounter with hidden hunger when he was working with children in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. At its core, hidden hunger is a global malnutrition crisis. Whilst many people across the world might have access to flour or a starchy staple to fill their bellies, these staples often lack the vital nutrients needed to build strong immune systems, to have healthy pregnancies and avoid other serious health issues.

Today, Felix is the Co-Founder and CEO of Sanku, an East African social-enterprise that enables local flour mills to produce fortified flour (or flour that has been “fortified” with lifesaving nutrients). While counties in the Global North already enjoy fortified foods like cereal, milk, and salt, two billion people worldwide lack this basic human right.

As at 2024, Sanku is now working with 1200 millers across Tanzania and Kenya in the hardest to reach places. With smart “Dosifier” machines that precisely add essential nutrients into flour, and through bulk manufacturing that keeps nutrient premix costs low, Sanku makes it possible for communities to access lifesaving nutrients without any added cost. Sanku reaches approximately 10 million people with healthier meals each day.

To learn more, tune in to hear #Philanthropod host, Anubha Rawat, in conversation with Felix. Anubha and Felix chat about global malnutrition, life-saving technology that provides data in real time, economies of scale, behavioural change and the importance of aligning development interventions to Government policy agendas. They also discuss what “sustainability” means for Sanku as it continues to scale - navigating a balance between philanthropic support and a market based revenue stream.

For their pioneering work, Sanku has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, a GiveWell Standout Charity, and won the Zayed Sustainability Prize, the Elevate Prize, the Lipman Family Prize, as well as the Rolex Awards for Enterprise. Sanku’s award-winning Dosifier technology was also selected by Time Magazine as an Invention of the Year in 2019.

To find out more about Sanku, visit their website https://projecthealthychildren.org/

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Safeena shares her remarkable journey, from growing up in Delhi under challenging circumstances, which interrupted her education, to a life-changing moment when a close family friend advocated for her schooling. After spending 10 years abroad, Safeena returned to India to start Educate Girls—a non-profit organisation dedicated to ensuring that every girl in the most remote parts of India is enrolled in school and learns well. 

Anubha, who also grew up in India, brings a deep understanding of the cultural barriers girls face in accessing education, making this a compelling conversation. They explore the innovative community mobilisation strategies behind Educate Girls' success, including the creation of a network of 20,000 local gender champions. These volunteers tirelessly advocate for girls' rights and work to ensure that every girl has the opportunity to attend school.

Safeena reflects on the early lessons and hard-earned insights that have helped scale the organisation. They discuss the critical role of engaging boys and men in the mission, breaking down biases, and fostering a community-driven model that emphasises ownership and responsibility.

With a clear vision of success and a model centered on community ownership, Safeena explains how philanthropy has been the 'fuel' driving the organisation forward. She highlights the importance of unrestricted, flexible capital, which has been instrumental in enabling large-scale impact. Now, Educate Girls is looking to the future with an ambitious vision: the "10x10" initiative—educating 10 million girls over the next 10 years. With strong community support and backing from supporters, Safeena and her team are on track to make this vision a reality.

To learn more about Educate Girls, visit: www.educategirls.ngo/

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Today, Kafika House is an international NGO working in partnership with the Tanzanian government to treat children, transform communities and challenge perceptions of disabilities at a national level. Following a period of growth, Kafika House has also recently expanded from working with one local hospital to five partner hospitals that provide surgeries and aftercare for children.

In this fantastic episode, join Anubha Rawat in conversation with Sarah as they discuss the unique approach and impact of Kafika House, and the importance of holistic, community-driven health programs. For Sarah, addressing treatable disabilities goes far beyond physical medical care. Instead, it must also be about wider education and challenging far-reaching stigmas. It is also vital to involve and support both the parents and wider community, such as Kafika House’s parallel “Mamas Education Program”, which provides an opportunity for the Mamas to simultaneously learn about nutrition, first aid, horticulture and microfinance, alongside their child’s medical care.

Finally, Sarah also delves into how deep-rooted partnerships, fostering a sense of local ownership, and working with health ministries are crucial factors in determining the success and sustainability of medical programs, particularly in an international development context. For those interested in community-led health, children’s health, disability support or international development - this is not an episode to miss!

Find out more about Kafika House here.

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Andy takes us through the Segal Foundation’s transformation over the past fifteen years, from Barry Segal’s initial vision of “fighting for the little guys” to becoming the second biggest US grant-maker to Africa, behind the Gates Foundation. For Andy, key to this transformation has been the Segal Family Foundation’s increasing emphasis on local staff and expertise in East and Southern Africa. They’ve also strived to challenge a culture of competition between grantees, often caused by traditional philanthropic sector power dynamics, and instead aimed to foster a safe space for collaboration. Today, their grantmaking team is 100% African—a rarity—and they are hoping to build the most influential network of African leaders on the continent who can share resources and intel to advance positive change. 

A key question emanating from the discussion includes: what is the role of a grantmaker when they are no longer a funder fiscally? And how can they continue to sustainably support these incredible change-makers? One of the strengths of this episode is Andy’s candidness - he is never shy to admit when the Foundation has encountered challenges along the way - but instead unpacks how these challenges were actively integrated into the strategy moving forward. Join Philanthropod’s host, Anubha Rawat, in conversation with Andy, as they discuss the importance of unearthing and investing in local talent, defining the debated notion of “trust-based philanthropy” and the success of the “Social Impact Incubator”. 

To learn more about the Segal Family Foundation follow the link: https://www.segalfamilyfoundation.org/

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Since 2010, Solid’Africa has now served over 5 million patient-tailored meals to almost 600,000 patients, and this number is rapidly growing. They now operate out of an industrial kitchen capable of cooking 10,000 meals a day and operate two farms to supply fresh produce. In particular, Solid’Africa addresses nutrition insecurity by recognising the crucial interplay between household income, nutrition awareness, and the availability and accessibility of healthy food. They have three main programs: the Nutrition Access Program, the Nutrition Education Program and the Sustainable Agriculture for Economic Empowerment.

Recognising her pioneering efforts, Isabelle Kamariza has received several awards including the Young African Women Leaders Forum Award by Michelle Obama, the Forbes Women Africa Social Impact Award and the Elevate Prize.

In this exciting episode, join Philanthropod’s host, Anubha Rawat, in conversation with Isabelle Kamariza, President and Founder of Solid’Africa. From exploring the critical role of initial backers and funders for Isabelle’s vision, to discussing the importance of cost and energy efficiency in NFP operations, to understanding Solid’Africa’s commercial arm, this is not an episode to be missed.

With upcoming plans for a culinary and nutrition school, and further aspirations for expanding operations alongside national ministries, Solid’Africa is one to watch. To learn more about Solid Africa follow the link: https://www.solidafrica.org/ 

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What are “neglected tropical diseases”?

How can you address global health inequities in access to medicines?

These are just a few of the many incisive questions that our latest episode of Philanthropod explores.

In episode 2 of Season 8 meet Mark Sullivan AO, Managing Director and Founder of Medicines Development for Global Health (MDGH). MDGH is an independent not-for-profit company dedicated to the development of medicines for neglected diseases that primarily affect people living in poverty.

The majority of new medicines are developed for diseases that are prevalent in high-income countries as the potential returns on an approved medicine offset the high cost and risk of development. This model disadvantages the world’s poorest populations – according to the WHO, an estimated two billion people do not have access to even the most basic of essential medicines.

Responding to this deep inequity in global health, in 2005, Mark founded MDGH. Since its inception MDGH has demonstrated that it is possible to assemble the resources, collaborators and financing required to develop and register new medicines for infectious diseases in a not-for-profit company. In fact, in 2018, MDGH became the first solo not-for-profit company to achieve FDA approval for a novel medicine when they registered moxidectin, the first new treatment for river blindness (onchocerciasis) in 20 years.

Join Philanthropod’s host, Anubha Rawat, in conversation with Mark as they discuss Mark’s pioneering journey throughout the pharmaceutical industry, the importance of working with local NGOs, communities and health providers to distribute medicines, and navigating critical regulatory systems with major global health bodies such as the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) and WHO (World Health Organisation).

To learn more about MDGH follow the link: https://www.medicinesdevelopment.com/ 

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In episode 1 of Season 8 meet Tahina Booth, Managing Director and Founder of Grass Skirts Project (GSP). GSP tackles severe gender inequality and violence against women and girls in Papua New Guinea (PNG) by uniting sport and gender justice.

For Tahina, sexual and domestic violence against young women and girls in the Pacific is a key development priority to achieve healthy and happy communities. However, a core ethos at GSP is that this is not a problem just to be solved by women and girls. Instead, GSP sees engaging young men and boys as key to the solution and imperative to fostering a more inclusive and equitable PNG more broadly.

Consequently, GSP’s programs, including the Gymbox and 10 Million Strong Leadership program, empower youth of all genders to challenge norms and embrace equity. They are designed to engage men and boys with something they love, sport and fitness, to ultimately heighten gender justice awareness and reduce gender-based violence. Moreover, by providing access to gym facilities and health resources for underserved communities, the programs are also achieving broader goals in the community related to holistic health, education and economic uplift.

Join Philanthropod’s host, Anubha Rawat, in conversation with Tahina as they discuss the importance of sport as a platform to empower young people, build confidence and address gender inequalities. Anubha and Tahina also discuss how working with local institutions and networks, such as the Church and schools, is key to fostering long-term sustainable development in the Pacific. Finally, Tahina further provides fascinating macro-level insight into international development governance, gender equality and women’s rights through her role on the Pacific Women Lead Governance Board. 

To learn more about Grass Skirts Project follow the link: https://www.grassskirtproject.org/about 

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By applying advanced data analytics to agriculture and community participation, Raising The Village’s primary goal is to increase household income and earnings from as little as $0.75/day to > $2/day within 24 months by driving agricultural incomes, fueling new income-generating opportunities, creating an enabling environment for communities to participate, and ensuring the sustainability of impact and progress. The program also strives to both identify and remove the daily barriers holding community members back and centers the idea that basic needs and services must always be addressed first before a development program can flourish. 

By the end of this year, Raising The Village will cross the milestone of 1 million lives impacted since its founding, with an ambitious goal of reaching 1 million each year by 2027.

Join Philanthropod’s host, Anubha Rawat, in conversation with Shawn as they discuss the importance of holistic and multidimensional approaches to development. In the case of Raising the Village: leadership, participation and buy-in from all levels of community is critical. From leveraging federal data and resources, to working with district governments to understand where the most critical need is, to pioneering a community-led model where clusters of villages can work together and identify their own specific and contextualized needs. 

Tune in to understand why Shawn was recognised in Canada's Top 40 under 40 as an innovator who is truly changing how things are done.

To learn more about Raising the Village follow the link: https://raisingthevillage.org/ 

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Unable to ignore this deep inequality, Gemma Sisia established The School of St Jude in Tanzania in 2002.

Twenty years ago, The School of St Jude opened with one teacher and a handful of students. Today, The School of St Jude provides free, quality education to 1,800 bright primary and secondary students from disadvantaged backgrounds. 100% of these students are on scholarships which are 100% donor-funded, and 97% of St Jude’s secondary graduates go on to access higher education.

The “Beyond St Jude’s” program has also been launched - where 100s of recent graduates volunteer as teachers in government schools. Not only does this program fill an urgent gap for teachers in Tanzania but is an extremely formative year for the graduates - where they navigate becoming an adult and giving back to their community.

In this episode, join Philanthropod’s host, Anubha Rawat, in discussion with Gemma who takes us on her inspiring journey - from her childhood in regional Australia to the founding and growth of The School of St Jude. Along the way, Anubha and Gemma also discuss timely international development themes such as the importance of localisation and maximizing impact for both donors and students. Finally, the episode ends with incredible moments of circularity as Gemma shares how the impact of her work is starting to emerge in wonderful and unexpected ways: from running into two former female students working as doctors to meeting with an alum who is the first Tanzanian referee in the English Premier League. With such encounters only representing the first generation of graduates - the journey has only just begun. 

To learn more about the School of St Judes follow the link: https://www.schoolofstjude.org/ 

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At 35, she stepped away from the world of law and banking and embarked on her greatest challenge yet: setting up Adara Group - a global organisation that believes in the power of business and partnership to change the lives of people living in poverty. Today, Audette is the Chief Executive Officer of Adara’s two corporate advisory businesses: Adara Advisors and Adara Partners. The Adara businesses were established to help fund Adara’s health and education work with women and children in extreme poverty in some of the world’s remotest places (Adara Development). Knowledge sharing sits at the heart of their model, so that programs such as the Adara Newborn model in Uganda, can be stretched to remote regions and other countries in order to maximise impact. Since 1998, the Adara Group has had a profound impact on hundreds of thousands of people in poverty. 

In this episode, join Philanthropod’s host, Anubha Rawat, in discussion with Audette who takes us on her incredible Adara journey, from Bermuda to Uganda to Nepal, and introduces the listener to inspiring characters along the way. Audette also reflects on the changing international development sector more broadly. She believes that over her 25 years in the Development sector, she has witnessed watershed changes in the role of power dynamics and the addition of new, much-needed actors, such as private and public companies, joining the ecosystem.

Audette's warmth, passion and leadership shines throughout the episode.

To learn more about Adara Group follow the link: https://www.adaragroup.org/ 

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Throughout the episode, Dave shares his unique journey, from co-founding the School for Life Foundation in Uganda to joining forces with Nadia and Alf Taylor.

Dave weaves in his observations and stories, recounting his formative years living and working in East Africa, where he witnessed the unyielding determination of children seeking education. These experiences propelled the decade he spent building the School for Life in Uganda, alongside Annabelle Chauncy, and completing both an undergrad and masters in International Development.

Dave then highlights his career shift from the "doing" side to the "giving" side. This involved formalising the giving process at the Foundation plus seeking out partners with the potential for transformative impact. This shift also offered him the chance to work more broadly in the sector and collaborate on diverse projects across 40 countries. 

Listeners will gain insight into the Foundation's broad remit, which encompasses various fields from social enterprise, healthcare, social welfare, and poverty alleviation across Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific. Dave describes the Foundation as agile, allowing them to build deep relationships with grant partners and witness the remarkable work being done on the ground.

Finally, Dave and Anubha chat about balancing family life with a career that involves a busy international travel schedule - along with sharing some of his favourite travel destinations. 

Dave’s down-to-earth approach shines through in this episode along with his dedication to living a life of purpose. 

Links: 

Nadia and Alf Taylor Foundation: https://nadiaandalftaylorfoundation.org/

School for Life Foundation: https://www.schoolforlife.org.au/ 

Annabelle Chauncy’s Philanthropod episode: https://shows.acast.com/philanthropod/episodes/a-passion-to-educate-poverty-out-of-existence 

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Julius takes us back to a time known as the 'cycle of death,' when the HIV pandemic ravaged the community, leading to an overwhelming number of funerals, tragic loss of children before the age of five and mothers dying while attempting to give birth.

Julius shares the inspiring story of the founders of Lwala Community Alliance, known as the 'sons of Lwala,' who were determined to honour their parents' dream of improving healthcare access for their community. These two men seized the opportunity to study medicine abroad but made a promise to their community to never forget about them. This promise led them to establish the first hospital in the area.

As the Co-CEO of Lwala Community Alliance, Julius's own journey compelled him to work for the organisation. He sees his role as a way of giving back to the community that invested in him and is deeply passionate about contributing to the growth of Lwala Community Alliance.

Julius takes us on a journey of the organisation's growth and impact. From the dream of a father and his two sons, to an army of staff, partners and Community Health Workers (who are trained, supervised, equipped with the necessary tools and paid) to government adoption. The impact is evident with a significant reduction in under-five mortality rates, a 98% immunisation rate, and 99% of women giving birth in health facilities. 

The cycle of death has been replaced with a cycle of life.

Join Anubha Rawat as she delves into the inspiring journey of Lwala Community Alliance and Julius Mbeya, uncovering the incredible impact they have on the health and well-being of the community. 

For more about Lwala Community Alliance, visit their website: https://lwala.org/

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Every year, D-Prize receives a staggering 6,000 applications from aspiring entrepreneurs. Nick explains the rigorous process of reviewing and evaluating these applications to select exceptional entrepreneurs who will receive seed funding. The organisation goes the extra mile to find grassroots entrepreneurs who may be overlooked by others. These unsung heroes work tirelessly to bring about change in their communities. 

D-Prize's main goal is to expand access to existing interventions and maximise their impact to reach those in need on a large scale.

Nick shares some success stories from D-Prize that demonstrate the transformative power of seed funding. One such story is about Altech, an organisation in the Democratic Republic of Congo that received a $15,000 grant in 2014. This initial support acted as a catalyst for their growth, enabling them to secure additional donors and investors. Today, Altech is the largest energy distributor in Congo, positively impacting countless lives.

Another remarkable case study is Youth Impact, an organisation focused on health and education in Botswana. D-Prize came across them when their idea was still in development. Through the application process, D-Prize provided guidance and support, leading to their expansion. With the help of mobile phone technology, Youth Impact now reaches 35,000 students across six countries, improving educational outcomes and transforming lives.

Anubha and Nick discuss the key characteristics of successful social entrepreneurs. Nick emphasises the importance of believing in the impact and envisioning a better future. A well-thought-out operating model and a roadmap for scaling are crucial for success, as is the composition of the team, with local and proximate leaders more likely to achieve positive outcomes.

D-Prize takes calculated risks to ensure that talented individuals have the opportunity to unleash their potential and create lasting change. Join Anubha and Nick in this episode of Philanthropod as they celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit, discuss the keys to success, and witness firsthand how D-Prize empowers extraordinary individuals dedicated to fighting poverty and shaping a better world.

Additional links:

D-Prize website: https://d-prize.org/

Altech website: https://www.altech-rdc.com/

Youth Impact website: https://www.youth-impact.org/

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It was in this urgent context that Dr. Gerry Douglas and Dr. Timothy Mtonga, Founder and Director of the Global Health Informatics Institute of Malawi and Open02 respectively, realised there was a life saving fix that could breathe new life into Malawi's health care system. Rather than throwing out the whole oxygen canister - you can refresh the zeolite crystals - the chemical responsible for removing the nitrogen.

During the second wave of Covid-19, their innovative idea truly came to life through a new partnership and catalytic seed funding from the DAK Foundation under the leadership of Marnie Rickards, DAK Foundation’s Operations Director. By December 2021 - Open02 had repaired 649 oxygen concentrators servicing 58 hospitals, making an additional 657,860 cubic metres of oxygen available - enough to support up to 34,553 babies with a continuous flow of oxygen for one week.

The team at AIDN are thrilled to launch this special edition of #philanthropod, where host Anubha Rawat sits down with Gerry, Timothy and Marnie to discuss this pioneering global health initiative. Tune in to learn more about Malawi’s health sector, the challenges of working in the development sector during Covid-19, and the importance of creative ideas and flexible partnerships. Gerry finishes with advice to others who may have a simple yet effective idea about how to approach life-saving seed funding.

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Eleanor is an experienced international development leader with a deep, lifelong commitment to social and environmental justice. She has spent over 10 years in professional leadership roles, including in Sri Lanka (ChildFund International), and Cambodia and Thailand (Australian Volunteer Program). Eleanor is also on the board of the social enterprise ATEC.

Eleanor is currently the CEO of Engineers Without Borders Australia (EWB) – a humanitarian engineering charity that uses the power of engineering to help create a more equitable and sustainable world. They work with communities in Australia, Cambodia, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu in need to provide access to clean water, renewable energy, disaster recovery and develop sustainable infrastructure. At the heart of their programs they ask: How do we engineer differently? How do we engineer sustainably? How do we engineer with community?

In the episode, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about EWB’s huge remit - from being integrated into university engineering curriculums, to building technical capacity of in-country engineers, to challenging gender norms and supporting women engineers, to working on major infrastructure projects in Timor-Leste. A focus on Indigenous outreach is also core to their ethos.

The episode, launched on IWD 2023, is also a must-listen for those interested in the intersection of gender, engineering and women's leadership more broadly. Eleanor and Anubha discuss women’s leadership in a sector where women’s representation drops from 70% across the sector to 40% at a senior level. Eleanor provides sound advice for other women looking to take up leadership positions in the international development sector and beyond. 

Eleanor sheds light on her experience of a changing ecosystem – it is now the private sector who come to EWB to ask about Sustainable Development Goal 2030 strategies. For Eleanor, this represents the fact that issues like climate change are no longer ‘dirty words’ in the urgent development context of today. 

To learn more about Engineers Without Borders follow the link: https://ewb.org.au

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Please be advised that listener discretion is advised as some parts of this conversation are distressing

In 1995, Benson Wereje's village in the Democratic Republic of Congo was attacked by rebels. He was separated from his parents and he endured unimaginable bloodshed before reaching a refugee camp in Uganda. More than five million of Benson's friends and countrymen have been killed in his home area.

Dedicated to empowering youth and imbued with a deep admiration for the transformative impact that education can provide his country, Benson co-founded and became Executive Director of CIYOTA in 2005. Today, CIYOTA educates thousands of children and youths in refugee camps, focuses on community building and strives to unite tribes in the DRC to bring enduring and sustainable peace. 

Join Philanthropod’s host, Anubha Rawat, in an eye-opening and honest discussion with Benson about experiencing and overcoming trauma, how a commitment to equality, forgiveness and education was instilled in him by his father, and how he continues to be inspired by his wife - a modern ‘heroine’. Benson leaves you with a powerful message as to why he believes it is his mission to train young people in responsible leadership and create a unified vision for their country.

For his work, Benson has been awarded the Desmond Tutu fellowship with African Leadership Institute at Oxford University in 2013, an Echoing Green fellowship in New York, the ASHOKA fellowship in 2015 and was a Tony Elumelu Foundation awardee in 2019.

To learn more about CIYOTA follow the link: https://www.coburwas.org/ 

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Inspired by the transformative impact of economically empowered women, Anna founded Yevu in 2012. Yevu is a for-profit social enterprise, manufacturing and selling its clothes online to a global customer base, whilst economically empowering women in Ghana’s informal sector through fair and sustainable employment opportunities.  Anna has also worked as the Head of Innovation Labs at Affinity Africa, which delivered a patentable prototype for Ghana's first digital retail bank, and as a Policy Advisor Deputy Lord Mayor at the City of Sydney. 

Join Philanthropod’s host, Anubha Rawat, in discussion with Anna who reflects on privilege, power and the role that she can play in connecting the bespoke and beautiful Ghanian textile industry to overseas markets. Anna highlights the importance of always centering the Ghanaian women who work with Yevu at the core of the business, collective and transparent decision-making, shared learning, and mutual goal-setting. Anna also speaks to the changing social enterprise landscape she has witnessed since Yevu’s inception.

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In 2005, Roy founded Development Media International (DMI) which aims to create evidence-based behaviour change campaigns to improve health and save lives. With a focus on delivering campaigns at scale to maximise impact and cost-effectiveness, DMI uses storytelling to motivate change and use scientific methods to test the impact of their interventions.

Join Philanthropod’s host, Anubha Rawat, in conversation with Roy to learn how mass media, when employed strategically - with local knowledge and engaging storytelling practice - can be used as a key tool to strengthen public health outcomes and reach millions of people at one time.

This episode also comes recommended for those interested in complex monitoring and evaluation and campaign design. Roy discusses the inherent issues in measuring huge public health prevention campaigns through mass media - which strive to measure complex, long-term or intangible outcomes: including changing ‘social norms’ or shifting attitudes towards health practices.

To learn more about Development Media International follow the link: https://www.developmentmedia.net

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Since then, Rachel founded and is now the Executive Director of Mother Health International (MHI), an organization aimed at building and sustaining birth centers and training midwives in areas with the highest burden of perinatal mortality. Her area of expertise is in developing midwifery models of care that blend clinical excellence with culturally specific practice for improving health outcomes in the majority world. This model has proven so successful it is now being taught in Universities in conjunction with Yale School of Midwifery and Makerere University.

Join our host Anubha Rawat as she learns about Rachel’s extraordinary journey: including the need for woman-centered care, passion for maternal health and how she balances this work with being a mother to her own ‘global citizen’ daughter Amaya.

To learn more about Mother Health International (MHI) follow the link: https://motherhealth.org

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Both Anubha and Angus are on the board of Partners for Equity so with their funding hats on, they delve into some of the key themes that have been discussed in season four of Philanthropod. From trust based philanthropy to funding early stage international projects, reporting and administration versus project costs, this episode, at its core, is a discussion on how to back the people who have the best solutions to the world’s most long term and complex problems.   

Notes & Links

Partners for Equity

The way we think about charity is dead wrong TED Talk by Dan Pollotta

Development Media International

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With a fire in her belly, Jo and her childhood friend set up Just Peoples - a matchmaking service, as she describes it, connecting Australian and Kiwi philanthropists directly with innovative grassroots charity leaders across East Africa, Asia and Mexico. As the Co-founder and CEO of Just Peoples, Jo is working with givers and doers to facilitate collaborations that create lasting and meaningful change. 

In this interview, Jo chats about her passion for trust based philanthropy and some of the stories of change that keep her motivated. 

For more on Just Peoples, visit their website: https://www.justpeoples.org/

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In this interview, Tara has an open chat with our host Anubha Rawat about her life’s work in providing dignified and equitable health to all. Tara describes the inspiration she took from Paul Farmer, a giant in global public health and what life is like in Madagascar, not only for her, but for women who are seeking healthcare. 

As the first employee of PIVOT, which is a global health organisations partnering with Madagascar’s Ministry of Public Health, Tara has built the team that now consists of over 200 staff. It was early in 2020 that Tara recognised that the way they’d been doing things - they was she’d been doing it - ran contrary to PIVOT’s mission. With newfound knowledge of the importance of decolonising global health, Tara made some big decisions to shift the organisation’s centre of gravity to where it belongs: in Madagascar.

Notes:

PIVOT is a global health organisation partnering with Madagascar’s Ministry of Public Health to transform Ifanadiana district into a model of universal health coverage for the country. Since 2014, PIVOT has supported more than 600,000 patient visits to the public health centres and hospitals which they work to strengthen through adequate staffing, dignified spaces for service delivery, and a robust supply chain. PIVOT is part of the Community Health Impact Coalition, working to establish fair wages and adequate support for community health workers nationwide. They work in a district that contains the World Heritage Site, Ranomafana National Park, and collaborate closely with the local partners who founded it.

https://www.pivotworks.org/ 

Community Health Impact Coalition: https://chwimpact.org/ 

Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder

Tara’s article in Stanford Social Innovation Review, ‘Moving Closer to the Problem and Closer to the Solution’

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Malawi has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world with infant mortality rates estimated at 84 in 1000 births. The high mortality of under five-year-olds is mostly caused by malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia.

Mercy Kafotokoza is the founder and Executive Director of Wandikweza, a locally-led organization determined to improve access to health care. In this episode, Mercy chats to Anubha about some of the pivotal moments in her life and career that led her to a life dedicated to bringing healthcare closer to the ultra poor in her home country of Malawi. 

For more information, visit www.wandikweza.org 

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It was in 2001 that Maggie Eno found herself on an unexpected trip to Cambodia that she witnessed young children sleeping under the Tapang tree nearby the beach. Unable to turn a blind eye, Maggie soon discovered the huge gap in services to children and youth who were living on the streets, unprotected and vulnerable to all forms of abuse and exploitation.

Working alongside some key Cambodian colleagues, her and a small team of other motivated individuals decided to address this critical issue and provided basic protective services to those children.

Now, M’Lop Tapang is a child protection organisation that provides holistic services to over 5,000 children and youth, their families, and their community. Maggie and her team are ardent believers that children should grow up safely within their families so the organisation is firmly focused on strengthening families and their community. 

Discover Maggie's journey in Cambodia and the life changing work of M'Lop Tapang in this episode of Philanthropod.

You can learn more about the organisation at www.mloptapang.org/

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Classroom of Hope was born. 

250 million children worldwide can’t read or write, and approximately 130 million girls are denied their right to education. And Duncan Ward is on a mission to change this. 

A passionate innovator, Duncan was born and raised in South Africa. He spent 17 years working as a Network Engineer and Management Consultant before turning his back on corporate life to lead Classroom of Hope. 

The organisation works with local governments to build classrooms. But these aren’t just any classrooms. They’re built using blocks made out of recycled plastic waste to create a truly circular economy. Construction is fast and the buildings can withstand natural disasters that are becoming more common due to climate change. What’s more, is they have plans to use these blocks for disaster relief and to build homes as well. 

Notes:

Classroom of Hope website: https://classroomofhope.org/

Book: Half The Sky by Nicholas D Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn

Website: Project Drawdown

Film: Poverty Inc

SDGs: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/

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At the age of twenty, the Kenyan born and raised woman was living in the South Australian capital of Adelaide. Today her organisation has delivered 6,000,000 meals that have led to improved nutrition, school attendance, performance and higher high school transition rates.

In Adelaide, Wawira was studying an undergraduate degree in nutrition, she hosted a fundraising event where she invited 80 friends to a Kenyan themed meal. 

The money raised from this event was the impetus for Food 4 Education, an organization that cooks, prepares and distributes nutritious meals, at subsidized prices to school children in Kenya.

Flash forward ten years and Wawira was named Person of the Year 2021 by the United Nations in Kenya in recognition for her commitment to providing meals for public school children in Kenya. 

In this episode of Philanthropod, our host Anubha Rawat chats to Wawira about the inspiration and logistics of feeding school children so that they have the nutrition they need to thrive at school. 

Find out more at Food 4 Education's website

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The now Executive Director of One Heart Worldwide, he worked his way up the ladder from a program officer when the organisation was formed. Surya has a deep understanding of the healthcare system in Nepal and its unique needs and solutions. 

In this episode, Surya shares with Anubha some fascinating stories - from earthquakes to the pandemic. What remains so clear throughout it all is his passion for improving the lives of women and their babies by strengthening the healthcare system and the 'network of safety' in Nepal. 

Find out more about One Heart Worldwide here.

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A highly regarded entrepreneur and sustainability advocate, Darrell and his friend Geoff (‘Manch’) Manchester founded Intrepid in the late 1980s as a new way for people to explore the world that was immersive, sustainable and gave back to the communities they were visiting.

As the Director of two philanthropic foundations, the Intrepid Foundation and the Dawn Wade Foundation, Darrell discusses his thoughts on giving back, the role that travel plays in inspiring philanthropy and the impact of travel on climate change.

References:

• Intrepid Travel
• Intrepid Foundation
• World Travel and Tourism Council
• Travelyst

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Eve has spent the past 10 years working in international development, advocating for increased philanthropic support to locally-led, grassroots organisations. As the Grassroots Portfolio Manager at Partners for Equity, Eve can draw on countless examples of impactful organisations who are making positive change in their communities. As a passionate ally and partner of these organisations, Eve is on a mission to build trust within the philanthropic sector so greater impact can be realised. Eve shares her upbringing as a backdrop for her passion and explains her roles with Segal Family Foundation and African Visionary Fund.

For further information and links, see:

Partners for Equity's website

Segal Family Foundation

African Visionary Fund

The Bush Centre

Wandikweza, Malawi

Food For Education, Kenya

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It was with this knowledge that Dr Roger Rassool and his colleagues began to explore creative ideas on how to provide oxygen without relying on electricity.

As the Co-founder and CEO of FREO2 Foundation, Roger is are determined to reduce the number of deaths of babies and children suffering from pneumonia or hypoxia in low-and-middle-income countries. He has a PhD in Nuclear Physics, which he obtained in collaboration between the University of Melbourne and Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. He is passionate about industry engagement and has extensive experience in the application of physics to industrial problems. Roger has a strong personal commitment to equitable access to education and is working in many remote communities and schools delivering education programs, in Arnhem Land (Au), Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

For more information about the FRE02 Foundation, visit their website.

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These seven women were struggling to make a living in the face of harsh discrimination. With her last $200, Steph paid for a trainer to teach the women how to produce products for sale locally and abroad - and Seven Women was born. 

Since 2006, Steph has built up the Seven Women team and launched an Australian arm for fundraising and a sales channel for our ever growing operation in Nepal.

12 years after her meeting in a tin shed that started it all, over 5,000 women have been educated, trained and employed by Seven Women. 

In this episode of Philanthropod, our host Celia Hirsh talks to Steph Woollard about Seven Women and how Nepali women are being empowered, their lives and that of their communities, are being transformed.

For more information on Seven Women visit their website.

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disrupting oppressive status quo paradigms despite the security risks involved. She currently lives in Lamu, Kenya, where she is the founder of a free medical program, a school for the disenfranchised and sports programs to uplift young boys and girls. Umra is running for the Governor of Lamu County in Kenya’s 2022 General Elections making her the first and youngest woman from Kenya’s coast to ever make such an attempt.

Our host, Celia Hirsh, chats to the revolutionary, mother, humanitarian and public servant.

For more information on Safari Doctors, go to www.safaridoctors.org/

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Ed and Kate started SeeBeyondBorders in 2008 with the core mission of improving the quality of learning in Cambodia. The organisation focuses on systemic and sustainable change for the education system, taking into account Cambodia's troubled past. To date, SeeBeyondBorders has worked with over 500 teachers who in turn deliver improved education to 27,000 children.

www.seebeyondborders.org/

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In this episode, Celia Hirsh chats to Dr. Browning about his recent book, his family legacy and the impact he is having on women suffering obstetric fistula.  

Thank you to Celia Hirsh for hosting, Harry McGibbon for our music, and Whalepod Analytics for editing and analytics.

Content warning: A warning that some of the descriptions of pregnancy and birth in this episode are graphic and may cause distress. Listener discretion is advised.

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In that time, the foundations he has managed have provided support to over 200 NGOs in 38 countries.

Mark’s current responsibilities are with Partners For Equity, Cubit Family Foundation, Ripple Foundation, Planet Wheeler Foundation, Crap Foundation and he is Chair of The School of St Jude in Tanzania.

Mark shares his journey from a career in investment banking into the world of international philanthropy. We hear what drives him personally and his experience with The School of St Jude, a school in Arusha, Tanzania with a mission to provide free, quality education to disadvantaged, bright students so they can become the moral and intellectual leaders that their country needs.

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This week our host Celia Hirsh talks to Annabelle Chauncey CEO and Founder of School for Life (SFL). SFL is a grassroots organisation that has a vision to educate poverty out of existence. Annabelle describes her journey and the ups and downs associated with establishing three primary, secondary and vocational schools in rural Uganda. Thank you to Celia Hirsh for hosting, Harry McGibbon for our music, and Whalepod Analytics for editing and analytics.

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