“You should not underestimate the power you have to affirm the humanity and dignity of the people around you. When you do that, they will teach you something about what you need to learn about human dignity, but also what you can do to be a change agent.” A change agent is what am able to achieve working at ITPC.
Jalpa manages the Citizen Science Project at ITPC. Citizen Science, a ground-breaking, community-led project documenting real-time perspectives, experiences and advocacy priorities among people living with HIV in Malawi and South Africa. Citizen Science moves from models of ‘data extraction’ to ‘data democracy’, by combining community-led monitoring, community research, operational research, and a novel methodology called Life Mapping. Jalpa also manages other components of the project including technology research, data visualisation hub, a costing study, training partners via a community-led monitoring academy and supporting Community Advocacy Networks.
Jalpa believes in the power of community education. Over the past 12 years, she has also been actively involved in an NGO – Johannesburg Indian Women’s Association, as their treasurer and executive member. It’s small organisation ran by women who raise funds to promote education, empowering women, and sustainable projects for communities.
Jalpa, Kenyan born Indian has an undergraduate degree in Pharmacy and a Post Graduate Diploma in Law from the UK. Jalpa enjoys her art – oil painting and ceramics and loves playing bridge. Her passions for travel, embracing different cultures and history are equally shared by her husband and two children.
Based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
