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Field Ready's Capabilities

We believe that by making useful things, we can make the world a better place. We manufacture supplies locally in the field so that people have what they need, where and when they need it. The impact of this is more people helped - better, faster and cheaper.
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Making &
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Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
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Health
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Innovation

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Livelihoods
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In the News

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Field Ready in Action

In Field Ready’s commitment to increase local capabilities and localized resources in every country program, the Pacific Region  has made a Mobile Makerspace  that equips local responders to address repair needs during an on-set of a disaster. One of the main goals of this asset is to increase WASH related capabilities in villages including water sources.     The Pacific, being a region with many islands, relies on diverse water sources, including rivers, wells, and rainwater. This comes with unique challenges. Factors such as climate variability and increasing water demand necessitate a holistic approach to water management. This backdrop sets the stage for the innovative solutions brought forth by Field Ready using the Mobile Makerspace.    Rainwater harvesting emerges as one of the cheap, sustainable, and community-centric solution. This time-tested practice involves capturing and storing rainwater for various uses, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional water sources. Field Ready recognizes the potential of rainwater harvesting in addressing water scarcity and has integrated this approach into its interventions. In Fiji alone, 16.18% of the population has a limited hygiene access due to lack of water sources for handwashing and sanitation.    Fiji’s Ministry of Health has identified two villages for Field Ready to assess and respond to WASH related repairs and improvements. These two were Naloto Village, a coastal village in the main island of Viti Levu, and Waikonadawa Settlement in a different island called Vanua Levu. Field Ready's journey begins with comprehensive assessments in these villages. The mission focused on crucial WASH facilities, including tank repairs, the creation of an InstaLatrine shelter, and the highest needs that was identified in the assessments – an improved rainwater harvesting system.    A crucial equipment to improve a household’s rainwater harvesting system that is part of Field Ready's Mobile Makerspace, is the Guttering Machine. This technology simplifies the construction of gutter forms that can be done in the field. A model of an on-site production of WASH related needs. The Guttering Machine not only streamlines the process but also informs communities and government partners by introducing them with tools to maintain, improve, repair and expand their water harvesting infrastructure.     Field Ready’s approach involved the community in every deployment of the Mobile Makerspace. The deployment team included a WASH Specialists, Field Engineers, and a Disaster Management Officer. A diverse team that worked with the community through teaching them on repair approaches that uses basic household tools and educate them better on WASH standards (i.e., Positioning pit latrines in a coastal household in Naloto.). Despite the time and weather challenges, the active participation of villagers made the deployment educational and enriching for all involved.     The deployment in Waikodawa Settlement which is a village in another island called Vanua Levu in Fiji, is the Mobile Makerspace’s first showcase of how mobile this rapid repair toolkit can go across a body of water. This elevates the asset’s importance on being a part of a response toolkit for every responder that needs local repair tools in remote islands. A reach that Field Ready is constantly working on to fill the needs of communities in the most remote areas, leaving no one behind.  As Field Ready celebrates the successes achieved in Naloto and Waikonadawa, the organization looks ahead to the future of the Mobile Makerspace. The vision includes expanding the role of the Mobile Makerspace, reaching more villages, encouraging more aid sector partnerships, and implementing sustainable WASH solutions. Field Ready's commitment goes beyond Fiji. The organization is looking to build more Mobile Makerspaces in other countries such as Vanuatu, Samoa and the Solomon Islands in the coming years.     Field Ready’s Mobile Makerspace will be an asset of a scaled response. Scale in local capacity and knowledge. Scale in repair tools kits. Scale in response reach. And scale in aid response capabilities.

How a Mobile Makerspace can reach more Pacific Islands

In Field Ready’s commitment to increase local capabilities and localized resources in every country program, the Pacific Region has made...

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Field Ready internships empower young emerging engineers to make a tangible impact in their communities through technical innovations. Internships serve as the bridge between academic knowledge and real-world experience, offering young talents the opportunity to grow, learn, and contribute to meaningful projects. Here we share the inspiring stories of two of our Interns-turned-Field Engineers, Amena and Marisilina, who have journeyed through Field Ready's program, honing their skills, pushing boundaries, and creating solutions that address critical needs in their communities. Amena's Journey Amena, a recent Mechanical Engineering graduate hailing from Verata Village, Bau Tailevu, embarked on his internship journey with Field Ready. He has a burning desire to learn and make a difference. His internship spanned the spectrum of product development: from designing and creating items to sourcing materials and bringing those designs to life. Amena quickly found himself immersed in a practical, hands-on environment that fueled his passion. "The practical work of Field Ready is very interesting to me," Amena explains, highlighting how the working environment at Field Ready resonated with his aspirations. "Having the opportunity to do product designing with feedback from local people, I have learnt how Field Ready's low-tech innovations are developed to have the greatest possible positive impact on local communities." During his internship, Amena acquired essential skills related to product creation and design, allowing him to see beyond textbooks and apply his knowledge in real-world scenarios. He credits Field Ready for instilling qualities like adaptability, creativity, teamwork and taking ownership of his work, shaping him into a professional engineer. Amena’s advice for young people aspiring to follow in his footsteps is: "Recognize and accept criticism in all its forms. Take advantage of your inexperience to spur original thought and creative methods of solving problems." One of Amena's most notable contributions during his internship was the design of "The Liso (Liquid Soap) Casing." This innovative solution emerged from a pressing issue identified in schools around Viti Levu – the frequent disappearance of liquid soaps due to theft and overuse in student toilets. The Liso Casing is a simple yet effective solution that addresses this problem. It provides a secure casing for liquid soaps offered in stores, making them less susceptible to theft and ensuring they last longer. This product underwent multiple iterations, with feedback from schools playing a crucial role in its development. Marisilina's Journey Marisilina's journey with Field Ready began as an intern, and she has since transitioned into a full-time Field Engineer. Over the course of her year-long internship, she gained valuable fieldwork experience, particularly in community engagement. In a male-dominated sector, Marisilina's journey hasn't been without its challenges. She's quick to emphasize that she doesn't let gender define her capabilities. "Do not let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do," Marisilina asserts, highlighting her unwavering determination to chart her own path. "It's your story, and no one else will live the life you've chosen." Marisilina stresses the importance of surrounding oneself with the right people and constantly striving for self-improvement. Her future goals include securing a stable job, settling down, and continuing her journey with Field Ready. She remains open to seizing the opportunities that life may present along the way. Her favorite aspect of her job? Supporting people with Field Ready's low-tech WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) solutions, which bring smiles to beneficiaries' faces. Marisilina is passionate about giving back to communities and appreciates the impact her work has on those in need. As a go-getter, she aspires to learn from her mentors, expand her knowledge, and eventually pass on her expertise to others. One of Marisilina's most impactful projects during her role with Field Ready was the development of the SanPad Dispenser. This innovative product addresses a crucial issue – menstrual hygiene management in schools. The SanPad Dispenser is a thoughtful solution designed to ensure that girls in schools have easy access to sanitary pads. Menstrual hygiene is a fundamental aspect of girls' well-being and education, and ensuring their access to sanitary products can make a significant difference in their lives. The dispenser is not only user-friendly but also hygienic, providing a convenient and discreet way for girls to access sanitary pads. By deploying this innovative solution in several schools in the Suva area, Marisilina has not only improved the quality of life for countless young girls but also contributed to breaking the taboos surrounding menstrual health. Field Ready's Internship Program is a testament to the transformative power of hands-on learning and the potential for young engineers to drive change. Amena and Marisilina's stories reflect our program's commitment to nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and empowering individuals to make a lasting impact on their communities. As Field Ready continues to shape the engineers of tomorrow, it is clear that the future holds even more inspiring success stories waiting to unfold. #Fiji #LocalInnovators #Intership #Pacific #BHA

From Interns to Innovators in the Pacific

Field Ready internships empower young emerging engineers to make a tangible impact in their communities through technical innovations....

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Severe Tropical Cyclone Lola hit Vanuatu on October 25-26 leaving significant damage in its wake and over 50,000 people in the affected area. According to UNICEF, roughly half of the impacted population are children. This is the earliest Category 5 storm on record for the Southern Hemisphere. Field Ready has been active in Vanuatu since 2018, and has previously responded to the twin tropical cyclones (TC) Judy and Kevin earlier this year, TC Harold in 2020 and the volcanic eruption on Ambae island in 2018. Above: Manu Jack, Field Ready engineer in Vanuatu Field Ready’s Response Since monitoring the situation closely, Field Ready has already begun the mobilization of emergency response personnel who are en route to the impacted areas on Ambae and Pentecost islands. Field Ready is coordinating closely with local government representatives including the NDMO and the Department of Water Resources (DoWR), which has identified priorities in the WASH sector. Field Ready’s locally made emergency latrines have been prepositioned and other relief commodities are likely to make a key difference in this response. Field Ready’s Mobile Makerspace may also be deployed. According to Manu Jack, a Field Ready engineer based in Port Vila, “we are ready to go and help in as many ways as possible.” Above: Locally made latrine parts in transit during an earlier project. Our Capability Leaves in Place Capability Field Ready special approach to relief – including localizing manufacturing – is about building before and after any response. The importance of localization of aid is highlighted by Field Ready’s Regional Director, Luke Johnston: “we’re building on the years we’ve been working in the country with local business and government partners, and the unique skills we bring to have these critical supplies and trained people ready in the country ready here right now to assist thousands of people and continuing to help Vanuatu to be more capable for the future.” Among our various partners there, USAID’s Bureau of Humanitarian Response supports disaster risk reduction activities including local manufacturing of relief goods, training and other steps to transfer the approach to disasters.

Field Ready Responds to TC Lola in Vanuatu

Severe Tropical Cyclone Lola hit Vanuatu on October 25-26 leaving significant damage in its wake and over 50,000 people in the affected...

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Humanitarian Making

Solving tough challenges, sharing information and learning are best done when people are connected. Field Ready supports the group, Humanitarian Makers, which is achieving things no single person or group can. 

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Catalog

Our parts Catalog provides essential details for 100+ useful products. This user-friendly Catalog enables technology specialists and non-specialists to talk about the same items and consider issues such as readiness and risks.

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Field Ready Book

This new book covers the essentials of humanitarian innovation. With contributions from over two dozen leaders in the field, including Field Ready's Executive Director, Dr. Eric James, this sets a new standard on how to make real change.

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