Concepted a mobile-first e-learning platform to reduce digital education barriers in Mozambique
Overview
Dondza is a self-initiated product concept I designed to explore how online learning could become more accessible, flexible, and trustworthy - especially in underrepresented languages and low-trust regions. The platform is built to empower both students and instructors with a customizable, intuitive experience that reflects local needs and personal learning styles.
Introduction
Learning Shouldn’t Be a Privilege
Many people want to study or share what they know online—but they’re blocked by tech complexity, high course costs, language barriers, or payment distrust. Dondza (meaning “Learn” in Changana) was created to challenge this reality. I designed this concept from the ground up to explore what inclusive, human-centered e-learning could look like—one where anyone can teach, anyone can learn, and everyone feels safe doing it.
Problems & Challenges
Making Online Education Inclusive and Motivating
Many people want to study or teach online, but are blocked by high costs, poor localization, and lack of trust in platforms. This creates barriers for learners and instructors alike, especially in underrepresented regions.
How might we offer flexible learning paths without overwhelming users?
How might we support different financial realities while still being profitable?
How might we build user trust in payments, progress, and teaching quality?
How might we help instructors and learners feel seen, safe, and empowered?
Project Goals
Learn in a way that fits my life
Allow users to find, follow, and complete courses that fit their schedule, language, and motivation style - online or offline.
Study comfortably and securely
Give learners multiple, flexible payment options and a sense of transparency and control during every transaction.
Build a platform that earns trust and scales through usability
Design an e-learning experience that feels so intuitive and personal, it removes the biggest barriers to entry and naturally drives growth through community, credibility, and word-of-mouth.
Solution
A Platform Built on Empathy and Flexibility
From day one, Dondza was designed to prioritize the human experience - offering customizable learning paths, localized content, and payment systems built for low-trust environments. Every part of the experience, from onboarding to certification, was shaped to feel warm, intuitive, and empowering - whether you’re learning one lesson or teaching your first course.
Results
What This Concept Made Possible
Though not launched (yet), Dondza proved to be a powerful design exercise. It helped me test assumptions, showcase my end-to-end design skills, and spark interest from peers in edtech. The project also solidified a product vision I hope to explore further—building tools that connect people through learning, not just content.
Learnings
Design That Respects Culture, Choice, and Trust
This project deepened my approach to inclusive design. I learned how to balance UX structure with emotional resonance, how to design around payment trust gaps, and how to build systems that flex for multiple user types without overwhelming anyone. If I do build Dondza, these lessons will be its foundation.