Co-Creating with the Ogiek Community

This project is rooted in deep collaboration with the Ogiek people, honoring their traditions, knowledge systems, and relationship to the Mau Forest. Together, we’re building a platform that supports Indigenous-led environmental justice and affirms cultural sovereignty. Explore our shared design process and the power of community-led innovation.

Why Co-Design Matters

Strengthened Relationships

Building trust and mutual respect fosters collaboration and empowers community voices.

Culturally Relevant Solutions

Integrating Indigenous knowledge leads to solutions that truly reflect community needs.

Holistic Impact

Engaging diverse perspectives enhances the effectiveness of our initiatives.

Why Co-Design Matters

Participatory Design Approach​

Our design process is rooted in collaboration with the Ogiek community. Through workshops and feedback sessions, we value input at every stage. This ensures the final outcome is both meaningful and effective for the community’s needs.

Engagement in Action​

Through direct interactions, we gather insights that shape our platform. Each meeting fosters dialogue and understanding, helping to create a system that respects and embodies Ogiek values and knowledge.

Engagement in Action​

Through direct interactions, we gather insights that shape our platform. Each meeting fosters dialogue and understanding, helping to create a system that respects and embodies Ogiek values and knowledge.

Partner Organizations

Initial Meetings

We start by meeting with the Ogiek community to understand their needs and aspirations. This sets the stage for a collaborative journey.

Co-Design Workshops

In workshops, we gather feedback and ideas from community members. This helps tailor our approach and ensures everyone's voice is heard.

Implementation Phase

Once designs are finalized, we implement the platform while keeping the community involved. This way, we maintain alignment with their values and vision.

Our Team

Meet the diverse team behind Ogiek Justice Messenger—designers, developers, and community members working together to preserve culture and empower communication.
Lusike Mukhongo

Dr. Lusike Mukhongo

Associate Professor
Western Michigan University

chad edward

Dr. Chad Edwards

Professor
Western Michigan University

Cynthia

Dr. Cynthia Klekar-Cunningham

Professor
Western Michigan University

AutumnEdwards

Dr. Autumn Edwards

Professor
Western Michigan University

Mano Photo for Lecture[19]

Dr. Winston Mano

Professor
University of Westminster

Habeeb Abdulrauf

Graduate Research Assistant
Western Michigan University

AutumnEdwards

Dr. Autumn Edwards

Professor
Western Michigan University

Abdullah Mohaimen

Graduate Research Assistant
Western Michigan University

Habeeb Abdulrauf

Research Assistant

FAQs

Common Questions About Co-Design

Co-design involves working directly with community members to gather insights and ideas. It’s a collaborative approach where everyone’s input is valued, ensuring we create solutions that meet real needs and reflect our collective vision.

Community input is crucial as it ensures the solutions we develop are grounded in local knowledge and experience. Engaging the community allows for a richer dialogue and helps us address specific concerns that matter most to them.

The timeline varies depending on the project. Typically, we start with initial meetings, followed by workshops, and then implementation. We ensure that community members are informed and involved at each stage of the process.

You can get involved by attending our workshops, providing feedback, and sharing your insights. Visit our website for updates on upcoming events, and join our mailing list to stay informed about how you can participate.

Anyone from the Ogiek community is welcome to participate! We encourage diverse voices to join the conversation, as each perspective strengthens our shared mission and contributes to richer solutions.

Anyone from the Ogiek community is welcome to participate! We encourage diverse voices to join the conversation, as each perspective strengthens our shared mission and contributes to richer solutions.

Still have questions?

If you have more questions, feel free to reach out! We’re here to provide clarity and ensure that everyone feels confident to make this impact with us. Your inquiries matter to us.

Join Our Co-Design Projects

Be part of something bigger. We invite you to engage in our co-design efforts that reflect our community’s values and goals. Your insights can make a difference in shaping our collective future.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and support our vision for collaboration.

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This project is made possible with support from the Mozilla Technology fund. We are grateful for their commitment to open-source technology, digital equity, and community-led innovation.

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