The Empathy Ledger
World Tour
A journal of connection, community, and the stories that bind us across borders.
Where We're Going
Part One: Australia
From the green hills of Queensland to the red heart of the continent. Five months of listening, learning, and gathering the first stories.
Witta, QLD
Where it all began. Barry Rodgerig opened his shed, his stories, and fifty years of lived experience on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Alice Springs, NT
Working with Central Australian communities on story collection, cultural protocols, and data sovereignty training.
Darwin, NT
Partnering with Top End communities and organizations to expand the storytelling network under the tropical canopy of the north.
Sydney, NSW
Connecting with urban Indigenous communities and diaspora storytelling projects in the harbour city.
From the red centre to the wider world
Armed with five months of Australian stories and lessons in deep listening, the journey opens outward. Eight stops across three continents in six weeks. Each place chosen for its living storytelling tradition.
Part Two: The Road Abroad
Six weeks, three continents. From Ubuntu in South Africa to fika in Sweden. Connecting empathy traditions across borders.
South Africa
Ubuntu in practice. Connecting with storytelling traditions, community justice projects, and the living memory of reconciliation.
Botswana
Ancient storytelling traditions meet modern community development in the Kalahari and beyond.
Uganda
Maker spaces, youth cooperatives, and grassroots innovation in the Pearl of Africa.
Kenya
Tech hubs and traditional storytelling collide in Nairobi, Mombasa, and the Maasai Mara.
Spain
Flamenco, oral tradition, and community resilience in Andalusia and beyond.
The Netherlands
Design thinking, social enterprise, and the Dutch tradition of radical collaboration.
Sweden
Fika, folkhemmet, and the art of building community in the Nordic dark.
Scotland & UK
Ceilidh culture, social enterprise capital, and the Scottish tradition of radical hospitality.
Notes Along the Way
“The best stories are the ones shared around a fire with friends you just met.”
The Partner Network
Hand-picked organizations building a better future.
The Washing Machine Project
Ex-Dyson engineer building manual washing machines for communities without electricity. Providing dignity through accessible co-designed appliances.
Southern Africa
South Africa & Botswana - Ubuntu, Community Justice, Oral Traditions
Truth & Reconciliation Archive
San Cultural Centre
Community Justice Network
East Africa
Uganda & Kenya - Maker Spaces, Youth Cooperatives, Tech & Tradition
The Washing Machine Project
CDS Uganda
FabLab Nairobi
Silicon Savannah Hub
Europe
Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Scotland - Oral Poetry, Social Enterprise, Indigenous Knowledge
Bertsolariak Network
Dutch Social Enterprise Hub
Sami Cultural Centre
Scottish Community Dev Alliance
Join the Journal
People & Organizations We Hope to Meet
Tier 1: Priority(5)
Navjot Sawhney
The Washing Machine Project
Founder & CEO
Ex-Dyson engineer building manual washing machines for communities without electricity. Active programs in Uganda (Kampala, Kyangwali) and Kenya.
Why connect: Natural alignment with GOODS approach to essential goods. Both use community co-design, address scabies/RHD prevention, and emphasize community ownership.
CDS Uganda Team
Community Development Shield Uganda
Youth-Led Organization
Youth-led organization fighting human trafficking and promoting community development in Uganda.
Why connect: Youth-led model aligns with storytelling focus. Strong community roots and advocacy experience.
KKCF Team
Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund
Enterprise Development
Supports 100+ refugee and host community businesses including manufacturing and recycling cooperatives.
Why connect: Potential for GOODS product testing in camp settings. Refugee-led enterprise model.
Freek van Eijk / Vesna Lavtizar
Holland Circular Hotspot
Director / Program Manager
National platform connecting 85,000+ circular economy initiatives globally.
Why connect: Gateway to global circular economy network. Connections to Fairphone, Mud Jeans, and similar social enterprises.
Coompanion Regional Teams
Coompanion Sweden
Cooperative Development
30+ years of cooperative development supporting 1000+ cooperative members.
Why connect: Proven cooperative methodology applicable to community-owned storytelling initiatives.
Tier 2: Regional Hub(7)
FabLab Nairobi
University of Nairobi
Maker Space / Innovation Hub
Maker space at University of Nairobi focusing on digital fabrication, STEM education, and community-driven innovation.
Why connect: Potential for co-design workshops and essential goods prototyping.
FabLab Winam
Lake Basin Innovation
Maker Space
Maker space serving Lake Basin Region with focus on female empowerment in STEM (ESTEM program).
Why connect: Gender-focused STEM programs and Juakali artisan marketplace connection.
Élida Nascimento & Marcos Júnior
Projeto Inclusão
Co-Founders
Favela-based education initiative transforming lives through non-formal education, sports, and culture since 2014.
Why connect: Powerful model for favela community storytelling and youth voice amplification.
Instituto Recicleiros
Recicleiros
Cooperative Incubator
National network supporting waste picker cooperatives with technical assistance and market access.
Why connect: Community-led recycling model with cooperative structure.
Gustavo Farruggia
La Higuera
Co-Founder
Cooperative rural health initiatives recognized by Ashoka. Co-design approach to community health solutions.
Why connect: Ashoka Fellow with proven community-led health model.
Tier 3: Extended Network(6)
Swedish Incubators & Science Parks
SISP
Innovation Network
National collaboration platform for Swedish innovation environments.
Why connect: Gateway to Swedish social innovation ecosystem.
Forum for Social Innovation Sweden
Malmö University
Research & Collaboration Platform
National knowledge hub for social innovation based at Malmö University.
Why connect: Academic research connections and methodology expertise.
Design Hub Kampala
AfriLabs Member
Innovation Hub
Co-creation space focused on social impact, job creation, and innovation.
Why connect: Creative hub for community-led design in Uganda.
EITA / Código Libre
Cooperativa EITA
Tech Cooperative
Worker-owned tech cooperative developing free software for social impact.
Why connect: Tech cooperative model for platform development.
Fairphone Team
Fairphone
Social Enterprise
Pioneer in ethical smartphone design with modular, repairable devices.
Why connect: Circular economy and ethical design inspiration.
Mud Jeans
Mud Jeans
Circular Fashion
World's first circular fashion brand with jeans leasing model.
Why connect: Innovative circular economy business model.
Know someone we should meet?
Help Us Write the Next Chapter
Our journey is shaped by the communities we meet. If you know a place where stories need to be held, reach out.
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