1. What is your role within the Global Parenting Initiative, and what do you enjoy most about it?

I am a Research Coordinator for the ParentApp for Teens in Tanzania study, delegated from the National Institute for Medical Research in Mwanza.

2. Where are you based?

I am based in Mwanza, Tanzania.

3. What’s your educational background?

I have a Bachelor of Arts in Geography & Environmental Studies.

4. What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned from your research?

From my research, I have learned how parenting practices are highly driven by socio-cultural and economic factors. It’s exciting to see how small changes in parenting skills can bring significant outcomes to family dynamics.

5. How do you think your work on ParentApp for Teens is making a difference in Tanzania?

Working on ParentApp for Teens has been a reward to myself as an individual and families in Tanzania. ParentApp serves as a bridge between caregivers and their teens by providing guidance and tools to deal with the challenges of adolescence. ParentApp helps caregivers gain understanding of their teens’ needs, emotions, and behaviors, nurturing stronger communication and support within families.

6. If you could improve one thing about public health research in Tanzania, what would it be?

If I could improve one thing about public health research in Tanzania, it would be to enhance the integration of local knowledge and community perspectives into the research process. While many valuable studies are being conducted, I believe that greater involvement of local communities in both the design and execution of research would lead to more contextually relevant and actionable results. This could help ensure that interventions are culturally appropriate and more likely to be accepted by the community. Strengthening partnerships between researchers, local health workers, and community leaders could also improve trust and the long-term sustainability of health initiatives.

7. What’s your most memorable experience?

One memorable experience working on the ParentApp project was seeing how the app might bridge the gap between parents and teens, helping both sides understand each other better in a rapidly changing world. There was a moment when feedback from a parent or teen showed that the app made a real difference in their lives, helping a teen stay safer and a parent feeling more involved with their teens.

8. What’s your favorite tool or method for data collection?

My favourite method of data collection is conducting  in-depth interviews in a qualitative approach.

9. How do you stay motivated during challenging research projects?

Research is rarely a smooth journey. There will be setbacks, so it’s important to keep expectations flexible. I do allow myself the grace to fail and learn from mistakes, rather than getting discouraged. During such encounters I do engage with peers, mentors, or colleagues for feedback, discussions, or even just moral support to help keep my energy levels high. Sometimes, brainstorming with others can lead to exciting breakthroughs.

10. How do you see digital parenting programmes like ParentApp for Teens evolving in the future?

With the growing awareness around mental health, digital parenting interventions will likely have features that help parents recognise signs of anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges in teens. These apps might offer direct resources or guidance for parents to help support their child’s emotional needs and even integrate AI to offer mood-tracking features for both parents and teens.

The future of digital parenting programmes might also see stronger partnerships with schools, community organisations, and healthcare providers. These collaborations could result in more holistic support for teens, with apps linking to academic progress reports, health checkups, and community events, fostering a network of resources for parents and teens to utilise.

11. If you could study anything else outside of your field, what would it be?

I would prefer to study human psychology and behaviour, so that I can gain clarity on human nature. I find it endlessly intriguing to explore how our thoughts, emotions, and environment shape our realities.

12. What’s one skill you’re currently working on improving?

Communication skills. There is always room for improvement in how I gauge tone, subtle nuances, and how I adapt my responses to suit various situations. Being able to better read the mood, recognise when someone might need extra empathy, or adjust my style to make communication more seamless and effective is something I’m always striving to enhance.

13. What advice would you give your younger self before starting this career?

If I were to offer advice to a younger version of myself, it would be to embrace the learning journey. Don’t rush to have all the answers. The path to mastery is a long one, and it’s okay not to know everything right away. Every interaction, every mistake, and every challenge is an opportunity to learn and improve. And further, trust the process. Sometimes it may feel like progress is slow or that you’re not moving forward as quickly as you’d like. Trust that the process is unfolding as it should, and the results will come with time and effort.

14. What did you want to be when you were a child?

A pilot.

15. What’s one food from your childhood that you still enjoy?

Chicken or fish served with Swahili Ugali.

16. Early mornings or late nights?

Early mornings.

17. Are you a coffee or tea person? How do you like it done?

Always a tea person, I prefer hibiscus tea without sugar.

18. What’s your “work superpower”, something you’re good at that makes your job easier or manageable?

Coordinating fieldwork activities gives me goosebumps and makes my work easier.

19. Would you rather be remembered for one major research breakthrough or for consistently improving lives in small ways? And why?

The idea of being remembered for consistently improving lives in small ways is deeply meaningful because it speaks to the power of incremental change. Sometimes, we tend to focus on big, dramatic achievements, but the small, everyday actions and contributions often have the most lasting impact. Here’s why I would want to be remembered that way:

Small acts of kindness or positive impact may seem subtle in the moment, but they accumulate over time to create profound change. When you focus on improving lives in small ways, those little efforts can create ripple effects that last far beyond what we might initially realise. It’s the small, consistent actions that build trust, make people feel heard and valued, and contribute to long-term well-being. 

A legacy of consistent, small improvements in people’s lives feels like a legacy of compassion, care, and contribution. It’s not about grand gestures or accolades, but about knowing that your actions helped someone live a little better, feel a little more understood, or find solutions to their challenges, however small those solutions might be. At the end of the day, being remembered for improving lives in small ways speaks to the idea of making a difference without needing to be in the spotlight. It’s about being genuinely helpful and compassionate in a world that could always use more of both.

20. What’s a professional milestone you hope to achieve in the next few years?

In the next few years, I hope to be able to pursue my PhD. 

One of the most powerful aspects of earning a PhD is the opportunity to contribute new knowledge to the world. Whether through theoretical advancements or practical applications, making a meaningful contribution to the area of study can have a lasting impact. It’s about exploring questions that haven’t been answered yet and creating pathways for others to explore further.  As an experienced junior researcher, I would like to earn seniority in the research field.