Emory graduate student Jon Hamilton organizes funding for Gambian farmers

Emory student Jon Hamilton has wrestled with a question for years: Can small-scale sustainable development make a difference? After earning a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and public policy from Harvard, Hamilton worked for Massachusetts State Representative Joan Meschino, and soon afterward joined the Peace Corps. Now Hamilton is pursuing his master’s degree in development practice at Emory’s James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies. 

While supporting Meschino, Hamilton sought more direct change. “I wanted to see how I could support other people in other parts of the world,” he says.

Meschino emphasizes Hamilton’s perseverance and grit, saying, “That’s leadership. That’s who Jon Hamilton is.” 

In 2022, Hamilton began volunteering in The Gambia in West Africa. Over two years, he organized workshops, fundraised for farmers, wrote grants, led agricultural programs and learned Mandinka. Unbeknownst to him at the time, he also met future collaborators, including Haruna Jallow, the education program manager of Peace Corps The Gambia.

Hamilton and Jallow co-founded Fandema International, a nonprofit connecting farmers in The Gambia with across-the-seas philanthropists. To bring the project to fruition, Hamilton participated in the Summer Accelerator Program at The Hatchery, Center for Innovation — Emory’s creativity and collaboration space for entrepreneurs at all stages of innovation. 

A new solution

In The Gambia, Hamilton and Jallow discussed establishing a garden in Jallow’s village, sparking an idea for a system to support entrepreneurial development nationwide. When Hamilton returned to the U.S., he and Jallow worked together to build this solution.

Development activities are not new to The Gambia, yet few account for local conditions. Hamilton, reflecting on a donor-funded garden, noted, “[the irrigation system] was way too overbuilt and overdesigned for what the village could actually use.”

He envisioned a different type of development, one that is eco-friendly and culturally germane. Hamilton explored the concept with Emory professors, including applied anthropologist Hilary King. “Dr. King provided a lot of insight into how development can be ineffective and often extractive,” he says.

Through Fandema International, Gambian farmers receive funding for projects ranging from livestock to tree nurseries. Using evidence-based advice, farmers create sustainable enterprises to improve their income and food security. They later return the donation to support future projects.

Since Fandema International relies on philanthropic donations rather than micro-loans, unsuccessful farmers face no penalties, which avoids debt traps and encourages strategic risk-taking. 

A project comes to life through The Hatchery 

To build Fandema International, Hamilton participated in The Hatchery’s Summer Accelerator Program.

During the 10-week program, founders learn from lectures and joint community discussions. Emory founders also receive compensation for their work. Hamilton has attended workshops, developed a product roadmap and conducted customer interviews to discover what would motivate potential donors to support his vision.

The Hatchery partnered this summer with local accelerator RightShift, which provides AI-forward tools for prototyping and product build. The Summer Accelerator Program concludes with a pitch event, but The Hatchery continues to support founders with resources and connections for months afterward.

Hamilton says he applied to the program because of the guidance and structure, funding and time to focus on the project. He also appreciates that The Hatchery provides extensive mentorship. “The coaching network was just outstanding and really helpful for making connections,” he says.

Working as a team remotely, Jallow says, “I am someone focusing on organizing, implementing and Jon is more the vision.” 

“Being part of this accelerator, I could not have asked for a better mentorship program,” Jallow adds. “It shapes all of our ideas and thoughts.”

Altruism above all

Hamilton and Jallow aim to prevent long-term Western dependency and eventually eliminate the need for their organization.

Experienced farmers are encouraged to mentor others, passing forward support they received. 

“They can become the funders of new projects … gardeners funding tree nurseries that fund gardens,” Hamilton says. “You’re building habit, you’re building local-level investment circles.”

Fandema International ultimately focuses on uplifting Gambians without reinforcing Western leverage.

“Ideally, you’re passing it off to [the Gambian] government and communities to say, ‘Here’s a product you can keep using if you’re interested,’ because then all the benefits accrue locally,” says Hamilton. 

Gambia photos by Abdoulie Jabbi and Haruna Jallow. Jon Hamilton portrait by Adrian Profumo.