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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 &
Makerspaces
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Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
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Health
Medical Supplies

Innovation

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Livelihoods
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Protection
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NFIs
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Risk Reduction
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Digital

In the News

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Field Ready in Action

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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The Mobile Makerspace was created to serve as a portable workshop with all the necessary equipment and supplies for performing repairs to damaged buildings and water and sanitation systems following a natural disaster. It contains hand tools, power tools and specialised machines such as 3D printers and a form-rolling guttering machine for repairs to rainwater harvesting systems. It has both a generator and solar power supply. We designed it by first doing an analysis of the mobile makerspace's functionality requirements to be most effective in remote locations for disaster repairs, based on input from front line response partners like the Ministry of Health, UNICEF and the Red Cross. Using the 3D CAD software SolidWorks, our technical team then designed the space for optimal layout for the needed features. As this Mobile Makerspace is the first of its kind in the Pacific and needs to perform in challenging island environments, our engineering team did a thorough structural and space efficiency analysis utilising Finite Element method, to ensure the most useful functionality, use of space and robustness was achieved. The first Mobile Makerspace field deployment was to a village in Fiji with water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) needs as identified by the Ministry of Health. Nabila Village is situated in the district of Nadroga on Viti Levu's coral coast with 94 households and about 500 people. Field Ready dispatched members of our technical team to Nabila, together with the district health inspector, to carry out a thorough WASH needs assessment with homeowners, the village headman, and other community leaders. They identified that some homes lacked toilets, the village's water tank was damaged, and parts of the piping systems were damaged or broken and not working properly. Our team then procured the materials required and on August 8th the team returned with the Mobile Makerspace. Over 2 weeks they installed our locally manufactured Field Ready latrines and their shelters, produced and fitted rainwater guttering to roofs, repaired water tanks and pipe fittings, and installed handwashing stations. This field test enabled our engineers to check the Mobile Makerspace's functionality in a real-life environment and pinpoint areas that still need improvement or adjustment. Its capacity to travel through challenging terrain like steep hills and bumpy gravel roads was also put to the test. After the deployment, the team participated in a "lessons learned" workshop to review areas that can be improved on the Mobile Makerspace and the tools and equipment on board, as well as the procedures and documentation required for deployment. By the end of October, Field Ready intends to deploy the Mobile Makerspace to two more Fijian communities using the lessons it has learned. The Mobile Makerspace's performance was a huge success. It was very efficient and effective for the deployed crew to utilise the Mobile Makerspace in the field, and the unit performed its primary mission very well. As a result of the successful field mission, now a family of five with three young children no longer must go to the neighbours' facilities, because they now have their own toilet with shelter, and a rainwater collection system. Because the community tank is no longer leaking and burst pipes no longer wasting water, the village has better water security and the risk of disease spread by mosquitoes is decreased. With the installation of the Group Hand Washing Station, the community hall now has access to more water points for hand washing, reducing risk of spreading disease at gatherings. A locked sanitary pad dispenser and a liquid soap dispenser have been added to the nurses' station. The residents of Nabila Village expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the team, and wholeheartedly agree that Field Ready’s new Mobile Makerspace is a powerful and effective way to solve and repair problems that reduce suffering aid recovery and increase resilience. #Fiji #Pacific #Localization #MobileMakerspace

From Blueprint to Impact: Pacific Mobile Makerspace

The Mobile Makerspace was created to serve as a portable workshop with all the necessary equipment and supplies for performing repairs to...

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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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