1. Tess Van Geelen
CoDirector, Kijani Youth Initiative
Ph 04024 36449
Tess.vangeelen@kijaniyouthinitiative.org
KijaniYouthInitiative.org
To whom it may concern,
I am pleased to offer this reference for Josh Shields, who completed a 20,000 word investigation into
environmental and agricultural issues in Eastern Africa for Kijani Youth Initiative during the summer
of 2013/14. Josh’s research was part of a larger report to inform the development of an agricultural
business development project in Kenya.
With excellent competency in research, analysis and writing Josh provided a concise and detailed
summary of Kenya’s climate and geography, the nature of agriculture in the economy, disease and
pests, and the role of government in agriculture. In addition, Josh investigated issues of deforestation,
water availability, sanitation and disease, food insecurity, education, use of genetically modified crops
and climate change as they related to agriculture in Eastern Africa.
Josh’s report was thoroughly researched and shows clear evidence of a highly critical analysis. Josh
also communicated very clearly and effectively to a non-scientific audience.
Josh was a pleasure to work with, requiring minimal guidance and feedback, and producing his work
in a timely and logical order. Josh also responded intelligently and with skill to the direction and
criticism I provided. Josh produced a very professional, highly informative report very quickly and
with minimal need for editing and corrections.
I recommend Josh highly for research and writing positions.
Sincerely,
Tess Van Geelen.