As part of the D-Lab: Humanitarian Innovation course, Carolina Orozco Romo and Coco Zhang traveled to the 2025 Co-Creation Summit in Arua, Uganda, where they were amongst a group of classmates who collaborated with community members from Rhino and Imvepi refugee settlements on co-creation projects that addressed local needs and innovation
Coco, a first-year student at Wellesley College, worked as a member of the Poultry Incubator group, which whimsically named themselves jī, chicken in Mandarin Chinese. With the goal of establishing a poultry incubation service for community members in Rhino and Imvepi settlements, the group worked on improving the existing prototype for mobility, safety, and functionality, and also conducted market research to determine the service size.
Caro, a first-year Sloan MBA candidate, co-developed a smart irrigation system with her team, aiming to ease the process of watering plantations in the communities, from kitchen gardens to larger crop fields. The system they developed works by sensing the moisture levels in the soil and opening a valve that enables irrigation through a drip system.
Inspiration from community members
The summit brought together a thriving community of innovators. One of their biggest takeaways from the summit was the importance of creating accessible systems for creation in the local context. Throughout the course of the summit, Carolina and Coco engaged with representatives from formal institutions such as local community-based organizations and international nonprofit organizations and explored their structures. They also served as informal liaisons to creators and talented individuals. They were surrounded by technicians, entrepreneurs, and filmmakers on the team, collaborating to find solutions to problems.
They both dived into the summit as students, being aware of our interactions based on what they had learned in their classes leading up to going to Uganda. Gradually, this calculated delicacy turned into a comfortable space to connect, share thoughts, and challenge one another.
Sometimes, it was the little things like playing volleyball, enjoying the Sudanese snack, Tamiya, or playing animal-guessing games with their team mates. Coco, an avid photographer-in-the-making, connected with Albert, an engineer and community lead of a documentary group based in Rhino Camp’s Community Innovation Center (CIC), through their shared love of photography and professional cameras. They took shots of each other taking photos. Coco took portraits of Albert wearing his Elite Photography T-shirt, standing in front of the payot, a local word for gazebo.
Many meaningful conversations happened over simple interactions. Teammates bonded over meals and tea time. One conversation that left a lasting impression on Coco was with James, the ICT facilitator of group jī. Having worked in ICT (Information and Communication Technology), creative, and marketing roles for many years, James saw changes in dynamics between international and community organizations. When Coco asked him how he felt about the coming and going of people, he responded that some people are meant to go and some to stay. It is following the good heart that matters the most, which is a statement that holds so much trust and understanding. During the course of this summit, we talked about many beautiful visions and futures yet we are all collectively grounded and driven in this moment.
Another experience that is so close to Caro’s heart was a conversation she had with one teammate, Richard, a social innovator who has started numerous community impact projects. Richard shared the incredible initiatives he worked on in his settlement, helping community members repair their electronics and teaching them how to do it. The interest in this grew so much that he expanded his team and extended his support to many other communities within the camp. He even began helping with other activities that people requested of him, like clothing repairs! Sharing dreams and the challenges he faced in achieving success, in that moment, it struck Caro that the lack of opportunities in some of these areas was a limitation to these incredible dreamers and doers from having an even greater positive impact in their communities. What was most inspiring about him was that, even with these limitations, he hasn’t stopped working for others.l. He has been invited to exclusive international events for social innovators, and every day he continues his work for his community. These are the people we need more of: unapologetic dreamers who fight by walking the talk, by working hard for their communities, and by inspiring those around them. Because this is how he is changing his world, and soon, the world.
Conclusion
During their time at the summit, Carolina and Coco engaged not only in technical collaboration but also in the forging of meaningful relationships with community members, peers, and local innovators. They were struck by the persistence and generosity of the people they worked alongside—individuals driven by a clear sense of purpose and an unwavering commitment to community-led innovation. These connections extended beyond the project work itself. Advisors, creators, and participants offered guidance, shared their passions, and opened the door to lasting co-creation relationships.
Carolina and Coco quickly grew fond of the warm formality in meetings—the use of “my dear,” the thoughtful greetings, and the mutual respect that characterized each interaction. Even after returning to the U.S., they continued working with their project teams remotely, staying in touch through messages that often arrive unexpectedly and joyfully, reminding them that the work and its impact continue beyond the summit.
For both students, these relationships have shaped a deeper realization: they care not just about the outcomes of their projects, but also about the people behind them. They care about the lives, aspirations, and stories shared with them. And this care moves them to act. It’s not just about solidarity in the moment; it’s about carrying these connections forward, holding space for them in their minds, in their work, and in their hearts.
About the authors
Carolina Orozco is an MBA student at MIT Sloan with a bachelor’s degree in Biotech Engineering, experience in management consulting, and a strong passion for driving social impact
Coco Zhang, Wellesley Class of 2028, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Linguistics.
More information
MIT D-Lab Humanitarian Innovation class
Contact
MIT D-Lab Humanitarian Innovation Team