The Ripple Effect of Sharing Knowledge

Teaching design showed me how insight transforms into connection. Each lesson, like a pebble in water, creates waves that ripple far beyond the classroom.

I come from a family of teachers—my grandparents, aunts and uncles, and for a short time, my mother. Like them, I’ve always gravitated toward sharing knowledge, whether it’s a spark of insight or the seed of an idea.

In my culture, teaching is known as sedekah jariyah—a perpetual benefit. It’s the idea that the knowledge you share creates a ripple effect: the person you teach passes it on, and its impact grows, circling back to you. Teaching becomes an act of goodness that never ends.

My first formal experience teaching design came in 2022 as a Project Coordinator for Surge Projects. I helped organize 30 student developers and designers into teams to build apps. My role extended beyond coordination—I bridged the gap between two disciplines often at odds.

The first lesson I taught was helping developers understand the value of design and guiding designers on how to advocate for it. Initially, it was difficult—most students were working with developers or designers for the first time, pushing them to move beyond their usual isolated approach and think more collaboratively. I showed them how their distinct roles could complement each other to create something cohesive and user-centred. After some time, a developer approached me and said, “I always thought design was just picking fonts and colours. I never realized how much it shaped how people experience the app”. That moment was a turning point—not just for them but for me. It truly showed me how teaching can dissolve barriers between disciplines and foster more understanding relationships of collaboration.

By teaching others, I’ve also taught myself patience, confidence, and the power of clear communication. I’m inspired to seek more opportunities for mentorship—whether in hackathons, clubs, or classrooms. Teaching reminds me of the values passed down through my family: a belief in the power of education to create lasting change. For me, it’s not just about sharing knowledge—it’s about creating connection and understanding. In teaching, I see a reflection of my own growth—a ripple of perpetual benefit that continues to shape both others and myself.