January 2015 LIF recipients

Cristian Lozada Hernandez ’17 and Sara Parcero Leites ’15

Observing the work performed by the organization Growing up Healthy in Northfield, MN, we have identified a gap within their relationship with the Latino community. We have realized that male latinos are not taking advantage of the opportunities and resources that are being offered. This project is intended to identify the key leaders of the male latino community to bring them into a discussion of what it means to be a man in the 21st century. We are planning on doing this by conducting a series of workshops and activities aimed to target the male latino community and by working with Growing up Healthy.

Jonathan Goh ’15 and Michelle Kiang ’15

We have developed a multimedia project that showcases the narratives of immigrants and refugees in Houston, TX. This project will consist of a series of workshops in creative writing and photography as modes of expression for their lived experiences. The purpose of this project is to build community and solidarity and give an opportunity for immigrant and refugee families to own their space and their voice. Our project will culminate in an event that will showcase the work of all the participants and bring together immigrant and refugee families to celebrate their stories.

Nita Chai ’16 and Alex Weberg ’15

Aim of the project is it empower 4-8th grade students from a diversity of backgrounds to pursue science, ask questions, and find answers. We will create the foundations for long-term connections with local schools and develop a model for future Macalester students to utilize and continue this project. To accomplish these goals, we will partner with local schools and invite their students to Macalester and lead lessons and hands-on activities in chemistry and biology. Through these lessons, we hope to give the students a sense of empowerment and confidence in their ability to participate in a scientific field.

Rachel Swanson ’15

I was struck by two themes during my field work in Temuco, Chile where I studies abroad in spring 2014; communities felt like stories of older people that were not heard and, in post-dictatorship Chile, there is an overwhelming silence. The 18 years of dictatorship following a 1973 military coup brought extreme human rights violations; disappearances, murders and torture created a fear-filled society. Even once democracy returned, silence and fear continued to penetrate Chile. In a collaborative project with young adults, we will address this silence through intergenerational conversations. We will conduct oral histories of older relatives, creating a space for dialogue and healing by listening to the stories of these families. Conducting intergenerational conversations ensures that these stories will never been forgotten and families can heal collectively.

Zahrah Shakur ’16

Start a sustainable, community owned and professionally managed yogurt kitchen that will aid in establishing economic stability for the women in the Mwanza region, Tanzania. The aim of this project isn’t to immediately provide large profits, but instead to educate this particular community about micro finance and developing within them skills that can be used in the long-term. More importantly, it is critical to note that these women have suffered domestic violence which can leave to feelings of worthlessness. The aim of this project is to enable them to support themselves and encourage them to do something with their lives to bring in positive “feel-good factor” and make them feel worthwhile.