Notes From the Field

For those of you that read about the remote work I did with Yakap Cooperative (Yakap), here is Part 2 – COVID finally lightened up a bit and I was able to travel in person to meet everyone!

I am at the end of my 18-day commitment sitting in the airport in Japan waiting on my next flight to the US. These 18 days may be over, but my professional working relationship and friendships with the Grameen and Yakap folks will continue for years.

Over the past 2 years, we established a strong foundation with the remote gender and social inclusion (GSI) work we did and we successfully were able to build on that during my in-country time. Here are a few highlights:

• We were able to carry-out GSI orientation sessions for over 100 staff and volunteers of Yakap.
• We identified GSI champions and strengthened the organizational structure of the Gender and Development (GAD) Committee.
• We agreed on a process for drafting the 5-year (and annual) development plan and budget through a gender and inclusion lens.
• We started a GSI Action Plan that will help guide the GAD Committee as they move forward.

The two weeks were truly amazing - I thoroughly enjoyed working and site seeing with the team. As they say, "a picture says a 1,000 words," so please follow some of the journey below.