Interns & Post-Graduate Fellows
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Alix Haber
Post Graduate Fellow
Alix graduated from Wesleyan University in May 2011 after serving as Shining Hope’s Deputy US Programs Director and being heavily involved in SHOFCO-Wesleyan, the Wesleyan chapter of Shining Hope. During Alix’s senior year, SHOFCO-Wesleyan raised enough money from the Wesleyan community to fully fund Shining Hope’s Community Health Worker Program. In addition to her work with Shining Hope, Alix spent four months in Kenya studying health and development and used her original research on traditional medicine for her honors thesis. She has also worked to help alleviate poverty through education and social services in the United States, working with organizations including Breakthrough Collaborative and LIFT. After graduation, Alix hiked the 2,181 mile-long Appalachian Trail running from Maine to Georgia.
What do you believe in? What inspires you?
At a young age, I read Mountains Beyond Mountains, a book about the work of Dr. Paul Farmer and his organization, Partners in Health. I was inspired by his belief in community-based aid and its importance in alleviating poverty. He believes that disease eradication cannot be achieved without community support, without neighbors helping to implement treatment strategies in his clinics. Like Dr. Farmer, Shining Hope provides resources through community involvement. I love that Shining Hope’s doctors, nurses, and teachers are Kenyan. I love the Community Health Worker Program, which trains Kibera locals to provide basic primary care and health education. I am excited to work with Shining Hope so I can continue this mission.
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Nathan MacKenzie
Wesleyan University Campus Coordinator
Nathan has been involved with Shining Hope for Communities since 2009. He recently graduated from Wesleyan University, majoring in Government, and was the leader of SHOFCO-Wesleyan, the Wesleyan University chapter of Shining Hope for Communities. In summer 2010, Nathan volunteered in Kibera, working at the Kibera School for Girls and with the SHOFCO Youth on the Kibera Mirror, a local newsletter for Kibera. In summer 2011, returned to Kibera to coordinate the Summer Institute experience for college undergraduates. Nathan will return to Wesleyan in the Fall as Shining Hope’s Wesleyan Campus Coordinator, working closely with Wesleyan’s Center for Community Partnerships.
What inspires you? What do you believe in?
“The Kibera community inspires me: I’ve seen the power when a community unites around a common ideal. I’ve seen parents coming to the Kibera School for Girls every day to make lunch for the students. I’ve seen a community health clinic rise from the ground through the tireless effort of community members. I’ve seen a group of youth come together to address issues of gender, sexual health, education, and poverty. These experiences — and many more — have motivated me to unite with my fellow students and inspire change through Wesleyan. Last year, our SHOFCO-Wesleyan chapter fully sponsored the Community Health Worker Program of the JJJ Clinic for one year. This reinforced my belief that despite all of our differences, when we listen to what a community wants and work with that community we can achieve lasting positive change.”