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Project Outcome
Trueque proved that when communities are invited as co-designers, they can reimagine value and drive their own solutions. What began as a thesis became a replicable model for activating education through dignity and systems thinking, one that honors local culture while sparking collective impact.
Using behavioral tools like visible commitment, collective milestones, and social incentives, the system encouraged ongoing participation. Families tracked progress visually in public murals, while children earned recognition for engagement, building new social norms around learning and contribution.
Designing a Community Exchange Program for Education Equity
In Duquesa, a community near the largest landfill in the Dominican Republic, many families survive by sorting and selling waste, often at the cost of their children’s education. As my MFA thesis project, I set out to explore how design could interrupt this cycle by building a dignified system of exchange, one that increased school retention while valuing the community’s existing behaviors and strengths.
Deliverables
Ethnographic Research ( HCD)
Intervention Strategy
Program Design
I conducted immersive fieldwork in the community of Duquesa in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, interviewing families, observing daily routines, and building trust with youth, parents, and school leaders. This deep contextual understanding helped surface the barriers to education and the systemic issues that kept children out of school.
In collaboration with community members, we designed Trueque, a participatory exchange model where families could trade recyclable materials for access to school supplies, uniforms, or services. We prototyped this system with custom-designed tokens, signage, and rituals to foster ownership, transparency, and pride.
Client
Personal Project
Sector
Education & Development
Project Type
Research, Strategy
Role
Independent
