In 1938, at 15 years old, my grandfather fled Germany - losing his home, his citizenship, much of his family, and everything he had ever known. He rebuilt his life in the United States, quietly carrying the weight of his past with him.
Today, I’ve been granted German citizenship - a quiet restoration, a thread reconnecting what was broken, and a way to honor his courage and resilience.
Holding these two passports in my hands feels symbolic in ways I’m still searching for words to explain. It’s a reminder that “belonging” is never guaranteed, that safety and rights can feel solid until, suddenly, they don’t. History doesn’t quite repeat itself, but it leaves traces - begging to be remembered.
As I reflect on this moment, I think of those around the world without a safe place to call home, still searching for a life lived freely, with dignity and without fear. May we all find space to belong, and may history’s many lessons and our shared humanity guide us toward compassion and justice.
2025 had a few plot twists I didn’t love…
But there was also friendship, laughter, bike rides, sunshine, paint-splattered walls, small joys in unexpected moments, a cat who never left my lap, and a life in Amsterdam I’m grateful for every day.
It’s been a brutal year for global health. Funding cuts, shifting priorities, and donor fatigue have left many of us wondering what the future holds. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t questioned my career path. I’ve wondered why I didn’t choose something more lucrative-something easier to explain at dinner parties.
And then I find myself in Rwanda, in the thick of onchocerciasis survey work, surrounded by people who remind me why I chose this in the first place. Our partners move through the work with a kind of calm determination-up early, navigating rough roads, responding to whatever the day brings with very little. No spotlight. No shortcuts. Just steady, purposeful effort.
In the middle of all that, there are these small, anchoring moments: the stillness of Lake Kivu at sunrise, shared laughter over a quick snack break in the field, collecting the last sample as the sun starts to set. Not glamorous-but meaningful.
Being part of this work reminds me that purpose isn’t found in budgets or work plans. It’s found in moments-holding a hand, solving a problem, witnessing resilience-and in remembering that the beauty of this world exists right alongside its hardships.
I always leave Rwanda with a full heart. This time I’m also leaving with strong legs! 🇷🇼⛰️🦵🪱🦟#Rwanda #entomology #onchocerciasis #landofathousandhills #heartofafrica
One year in Amsterdam in the books and what a year it’s been! I’ve developed some pretty niche skills like navigating rush hour bicycle traffic 🚲, mooring a boat 🚤 , and climbing some pretty crazy canal house stairs. I’ve had so much fun learning a language I never imagined I’d learn. I’ve made new friends, reconnected with old ones, and discovered so much about Dutch culture and history. My consumption of drop and bitterballen and broodje kaas is off the charts 📈 , as is the amount of waterproof clothing I now own☔️ 🌧️
Sometimes you need to leave your sense of home to discover it within yourself, no matter where you are. I can’t remember another year when I’ve felt safer, happier and just more like myself. And while I’ll never be a Dutchie no matter how hard I try, in a strange way, I really do feel like I’m home 🏡 🇳🇱 🧡
#Amsterdam #home #thuis #nederland #netherlands #expatsinthenetherlands #expatsinamsterdam #expatlife #dutchie #dutchlife
Some stills from The Fly Collectors, a documentary we filmed in beautiful Senegal with parts in Ghana and Niger. It premieres this weekend at the New York African Film Festival @africanfilmfest ! Couldn't be more proud. Congrats to our team!
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Director @cupojeff
Producer @bahriproject
Associate producer @sashileff
Drone op @aldidiasse
Color Marcy Robinson @niceshoesonline
For @the_endfund
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#documentary #documentaryfilm #Senegal #kedougou #cinematographer #femaledp #directorofphotography #filmlife #ladyops #womeninfilm #femalefilmmakers #stillframe #stillframes #framegrabs
Q1 in a nutshell 🥜: survived my first Amsterdam NYE 💥 and winter ☔️ , had an interesting Uber adventure with Hannah 🚊 , hung out with my favorite katjes, bought a bootje and took her on a sailing adventure to Amsterdam 🚤 , got Dutch residency, finally saw the first signs of spring 🌷…and some other fun stuff in between!
