Darren Baine’s journey from co-op student to global changemaker

By: Katie Rieger

Leveraging co-op experiences to make an impact and empower young people.

Darren Baine (he/him) is a fourth-year Biology student in the Faculty of Science and a self-proclaimed “inspired work-in-progress."

Baine has inspired fellow entrepreneurs with the many influential guests on his Young Eye International podcast. His podcast has featured University of Waterloo vice-chancellor Dr. Vivek Goel, and former Waterloo chancellor Dominic Barton. Baine has also welcomed inspirational guests like Waterloo student Daria Margarit, the co-founder of Safi, who launched a milk pasteurizing device to support a safe and transparent dairy supply chain in East Africa.

In 2024, Baine shared an impact report to outline the work of the Young Eye Foundation. Since its inception, the Young Eye Foundation has taught new skills to 125 children, completed 125 life-changing projects, supported four educational scholarships and strengthened two educational institutions. Baine’s work with the foundation represents the interests, needs and aspirations of young people from his community and abroad.

Baine was named on the 2022 Uganda 40 under 40 list and received funding backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

“I didn’t plan this - I’m not someone who had a plan to change lives. In 2019, I was playing football, I was a typical student, that was my passion” says Baine. “Then, I started working on a school project and realized there was a real problem I could solve.”

Baine is an international student and understands the need for philanthropic work at home and abroad, which motivated him to come to Waterloo for the co-op program.

“I grew up in Uganda. My parents are still in Uganda, and that is my home. Life is unfair. People have different opportunities that lead to different experiences. If you have privilege, why not help someone who does not have privilege? I believe it is important to help people who aren’t where you are,” says Baine.

Co-op for change

Baine used his co-op work terms as an opportunity to enhance his skills and chart his career path. “Waterloo co-op has helped me identify my purpose. I’ve learned diverse perspectives from my work terms – this has taught me how to manage a team of people but also integrate purpose into my work. I have had so many experiences that have led to the next thing,” says Baine.

In his first work term, Baine supported the Waterloo International team and learned how to collect and report on data. In his second term, he worked for Canada’s Children Hospital Foundations as an environmental, social and governance (ESG) co-op student.

“My first co-op term taught me time management. Whenever I get a task, I track my time to finish it on time. I never procrastinate,” says Baine. “My second co-op term taught me about the value of helping others. I’ve learned to ask questions and ask for help. I used that learning to build a great team of people I can lean on for support,” says Baine.

Using his previous two terms as background, in his third co-op work term Baine pursued an enterprise co-op (E Co-op) to grow his venture while earning a co-op credit.

Over the term, he received mentorship and access to an entrepreneurial ecosystem at the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business.

Connecting the classroom to the real world

In 2024, Baine returned to a school his foundation had adopted to see the impact after one year.

“We offered one-year bursaries for students to support their school fees,” says Baine. “When I went back home to Uganda to speak to the families, our conversations were emotional. I heard first-hand about the impact these bursaries were having. We were able to give the gift of education to support the long-term development of these communities.”

Baine is a prime example of exploring purposeful work through co-op. Finding purposeful work takes time and is a combination of talents, skills, values, needs, impact and engagement with the world of work. Baine used his work-integrated learning opportunities to combine his talents with his values to see real impact in the community.

“It’s important to know that as a co-op student, you can make change. In four months, you can make a change. In four months, you can make a tangible impact. Giving back is where you can. Giving back helped me align my career and my passion,” says Baine.

With graduation around the corner, Baine is looking to the future – and his future is bright. Baine hopes to continue his philanthropic work to develop new ventures in Canada and abroad.

Interested in E Co-op?

Waterloo’s Enterprise Co-op (E Co-op) program allows you to pursue an entrepreneurial co-op option. You start your own business while earning co-op credit. E Co-op is open to students from all faculties.

If you have an idea you want to take to market and have the passion to build your venture, Enterprise Co-op may be for you.

Darren's advice for co-op students