Permissioned testimonials from participants and communities
Reflections from interns, volunteers, alumni, and community members across CEDP and GLE — published with consent.
Slide 1 of 1
Permissioned testimonials from participants and communities
Reflections from interns, volunteers, alumni, and community members across CEDP and GLE — published with consent. Use the filter sidebar to explore by program and project.
Permissioned testimonials
GLE 2023
Aisha M.
Working on the solar-powered water system in Naluvule taught me that clean energy is never just about the technology — it's about who controls it, who maintains it, and who benefits. The host-family experience alone reshaped how I approach every project today.
Project: Solar-Powered Water System, Naluvule Village
Program: Alumni · Renewable energy intern
GLE 2022
Diego R.
I came thinking I was there to 'help'. Six months later I realised I was there to learn — from community engineers who'd never seen a textbook but could tell you exactly why a borehole fails. That humility is the real takeaway.
Project: Water Spring Protection in Naluvule Community
Program: Alumni · WASH volunteer
GLE 2021
Fatima N.
The CBPR framework FOSCOD uses — consent, co-design, and return-of-findings — became my north star for every research project after graduation. I now design every study around what the community asks for, not what fills a publication.
Project: —
Program: Alumni · Research fellow
GLE 2023
Marcus T.
I came for eight weeks to document a carbon-credit readiness project and left with a new way of listening. The community mapping session changed how I frame research questions — power dynamics, consent, and who holds the pen matter more than any methodology.
Project: Carbon Credit Project
Program: Alumni · Carbon strategy intern
GLE 2022
Zara A.
My six-month placement on the youth mentorship pairings taught me that effective development is built on relationships, not deliverables. The handover session I co-led is still running — that continuity is what makes the work ethical.
Project: —
Program: Alumni · Program coordination volunteer
CEDP 2024
Grace K.
Planting trees in Greening Kalagala, I saw how community ownership changes everything. The seedlings we planted are now three meters tall, and the families managing them have a new source of firewood and fruit.
Project: Greening Kalagala
Program: Community member · Reforestation participant
CEDP 2024
Mariam N.
Since the spring protection project started, children from our village walk to school without fear of waterborne illness. The water committee we formed is already planning a second protection site.
Project: Water Spring Protection in Naluvule Community
Program: Community member · Water committee
CEDP 2023
Samuel B.
The coffee farming training changed how I tend my field — intercropping with banana and using compost has doubled my yield. My three children are back in school thanks to the extra income.
Project: Coffee Farming Mobilization
Program: Community member · Coffee farmer
Share your experience
Have you been part of a FOSCOD project or program? We'd love to hear from you — your consented story could appear in our testimonial archive.