Unveiling Impact: Week 2 recap of Social Sabbatical with Fundo Agbara
As we reach the midpoint of our Social Sabbatical with Fundo Agbara in Sao Paulo, it’s been a whirlwind of productive activities and fascinating discoveries. Week 2 was all about honing in on the scope of work, delving deep into Fundo Agbara’s current business functions and tools, and reaching out to their peers in the NGO space to gather insights into Third sector best practices.
One of the key achievements this week was finalizing the scope of our work. Our focus is on analyzing Fundo Agbara’s existing business functions and tools with the aim of providing recommendations for a comprehensive platform that can integrate various data and processes such as donor management, beneficiary management, program and project enablement, special projects like fairs and festivals, and, most importantly, their finance processes to enhance transparency and trust in their metrics. This scope will not only streamline their operations but also amplify their impact.
We kicked off the week by reviewing the Problem Statement tree with the Agbara team to make sure we are aligned on their challenges. Along with my dynamic teammates, Ina Hertweck and Monika Prudlo, we began analyzing and capturing Agbara’s business functions in a Business Capability Model. This provided us with a structured framework to understand their current operations comprehensively. Additionally, we dove into their current system architecture to identify pain points and areas for improvement.
A huge shout out to our project assistant, Laura Cardoso. Her proficiency in translating Portuguese to English has been invaluable, ensuring seamless communication and understanding throughout our project.
We are also planning to reach out to other non-profit organizations operating in similar spaces. Their experiences and strategies in tackling similar challenges proved invaluable and will undoubtedly inform our recommendations for Fundo Agbara.
Amidst the intense work, we also took some time to explore the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro. Seeing the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue and soaking up the sun on Copacabana and Ipanema beaches was a rejuvenating experience. The lively rhythms of Samba, coupled with the cool ocean breeze, provided the perfect backdrop for relaxation. And of course, no trip to Rio would be complete without indulging in coffee excursions, exploring the rich coffee culture of Brazil.
But perhaps the highlight of the week was the camaraderie within our team. Working alongside such a dynamic and passionate group of individuals has been an absolute pleasure. Whether it’s brainstorming solutions or unwinding with live Samba on the beach, every moment spent together has been filled with laughter and inspiration.
As we look ahead to week 3, we’re excited to start shaping our deliverables and turning our insights into actionable recommendations. With each passing day, we’re one step closer to making a meaningful impact and empowering Fundo Agbara to thrive in their mission.
#SocialSabbatical #Empowerment #SãoPaulo #Agbara
