What was the initiative?
Adam’s initiative was based around preventing non-communicable diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure in different communities around the Cook Islands. Adam worked on a communication training program for the nurses in Rarotonga and with the public health unit to develop stronger tobacco legislation for the country. After living on Rarotonga, Adam headed north to a smaller community to work on a hydroponic vegetable system and to develop a health curriculum with the teachers on the island.
What was the community connection?
Adam had worked on a smoking cessation campaign with the Ministry of Health in the past and stayed in touch with the secretary of health until it was time to return to the Cook Islands. Adam also wrote his thesis on western and traditional models of health in Polynesia which enriched his knowledge of his community.
How was it innovative?
In the past, development NGOs in the area would work with a top down approach, whereas Adam brought a more participatory approach to the communities he worked with. Adam made an effort to incorporated community members in the decision-making processes so they could take ownership and control of their health.
What is [Name] doing now?
Adam is the co-Founder and CEO of Lesan, a startup which offers accurate instant translation for languages in emerging economies like Ethiopia to open up markets for companies and communities. Currently, they have teams in Ethiopia and Berlin, working with prominent customers including Dalberg and McKinsey and their translation tool has completed millions of translation for thousands of users.