This piece is part of our #EmpoweringInnovation series for International Day of the Girl. Join us for the inaugural event at Google D.C. on Oct. 11th https://memunatuempoweringinnovation.splashthat.com/
Krista Rigalo, US Peace Corps, Let Girls Learn
MM: Who in your life has most inspired you? Why?
Rigalo: Like many women, my mother played a critical role in shaping who I am and encouraging me to pursue my dreams. I’m very different from my two siblings- I was always eager to explore the world where my brother and sister have had much more American based lives and careers. I’m sure I must have baffled her but my mother always affirmed me and encouraged me and although it must have been hard to have a child so far away, she always supported me.
I have also been really inspired by our Director of the Peace Corps Carrie Hessler Radelet. She has epitomized how to be a bold and innovative leader. She has pushed our agency to engage in needed changes, which have resulted in several notable improvements in our recruitment of Volunteers as well as our involvement in important initiatives like Let Girls Learn. She has pursued innovation while remaining faithful to our core concepts and values.
MM: What challenges have you had to overcome?
Rigalo: I have been exceedingly blessed in that I grew up in a family that valued education, with parents, especially my father, who encouraged me to push harder and pursue an education. While we were by no means well-off, we had a roof over our heads and food on the table. Having worked with so many vulnerable populations, I am exceedingly aware of my good fortune in that regard.
Honestly, the challenges I’ve faced are the result of the career that I’ve pursued and the challenging circumstances I selected as part of a job or employment opportunity. I worked for several years in the Democratic Republic of Congo and had to work through challenges that were linguistic, cultural, as well as political. We lived in the DRC during very volatile years (1992-1998) where trying to do development work in the midst of a war was difficult to say the least. I’ve lived and worked in over 7 different countries. Living as an ex-pat forces you out of your comfort zone, requiring you to harness the ability to reach out, learn new things, develop new skills, and maintain a sense of humor in the midst of difference.
MM: What motivated you to continue to make strides on your journey?
Rigalo: I feel so lucky that I have been able to craft a career where my work responds to the values I hold and the change I want to see in the world. I had plenty of part time jobs while I was in school where the objective was to earn some money, which is fine. But in my professional career I have been able to align what I do with what I believe. When you are passionate about your work, be it urban gardening or humanitarian aid or adult education, you bring more energy and commitment to it. I am so thankful to be working on Let Girls Learn- I tell everyone I won the job lottery when I got this position. The fact that this is essentially a solvable problem really motivates me to engage further. We are in an incredible moment in time in terms of girls education- there’s so much attention and action in this space. Working with other organizations and creating synergies really energizes me. I love seeing how we come together and compliment each other’s action, working at different levels and areas but joining forces so as to create change in the global system. Really inspiring.
MM: How do you innovate in your field?
Rigalo: I’ve never studied the process of innovation so I’m not sure if my approach supports conventional wisdom in this area. We’ve been having a lot of success by studying the evidence base in terms of what is effective in promoting girls’ education and then looking critically at what we are already doing and then introducing innovations that enhance our work. We start with what we are currently doing and try to add plus-ups and enhancements to that. An innovation can be kind of vulnerable- sitting out there with people observing to see if it succeeds or fails. I think the attitude you bring to its introduction is critical. I really try to be extremely positive and solution-oriented, finding like-minded folks who will support the innovation as well.
MM: What do you find most interesting about Memunatu?
Rigalo: I love that Memunatu is by Sierra Leonean girls, for Sierra Leonean girls. The content is so relevant to the lives and interests of young women in Sierra Leone and offers a safe platform to discuss social topics in a way that enables Sierra Leonean girls to be leaders in their families and communities.
MM: What advice would you give to teenage girls around the world wondering how they can innovate in their communities?
Rigalo: Girls can be great opinion leaders and change agents. They have the insights into the social systems around them and should identify and leverage their innate courage. One of the things I wish I knew when I was younger was how little other people are actually thinking about me or judging me. When I was younger, I was hesitant to do something unless I knew I would be able to do it perfectly, fearing the scrutiny of others. With age comes this freedom- I’m going to give something a try and maybe I’ll do it well or maybe I’ll fail. But I really want to try it and so I will. I wish for girls that sort of courage. You don’t have to do something perfectly. Give it a try. Even if it’s not great the first time, you learned a lesson and will do it better the next time. Couple that with kindness and respect for others and you will go incredibly far!
