My name is Angela Wanjira Kariuki, from Nyandarua County.
During my ENGAGE training, I worked on projects that connected real-life community challenges with data and AI. One key project focused on Rhesus incompatibility in maternal health, where I applied machine learning models to help predict risk factors and support early interventions for mothers.
Another project that hit closer to home was on malnutrition in Mutomo, Kitui County, during my internship. Seeing children suffer from preventable malnutrition caused great discomfort and with my new skills, I thought I could do something about it. I used data analysis to track cases and visualize the trends that could help health teams see the crisis clearly. That experience fueled my desire to use tech to address real health issues in underserved areas.
Rhesus disease, also called haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), happens when a pregnant woman’s immune system creates antibodies that attack her baby’s red blood cells. While the mother is not affected, the condition can lead to anaemia and jaundice in the newborn.
I’ve also worked on building simple, accessible database systems aimed at improving health data management and community outreach programs.
These experiences inspired me to start TechBridge Academy ,a platform dedicated to empowering young people in my community with tech skills like coding, data science, and AI basics. My goal is to bridge the digital divide and equip future changemakers with tools to solve the problems they see around them.
AI, to me, is greater than a powerful technology. It’s more of a partner in creating impact, transforming data into solutions, and giving communities a fighting chance.
And that’s why I appreciate AI.
REFERENCES
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynacologists, (2024, Sep). The Rh Factor: How It Can Affect Your Pregnancy. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/the-rh-factor-how-it-can-affect-your-pregnancy
