Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Navigating Culture: An Exploration Of Domestic Violence And Abuse Resource Provision To The Harrisonburg Iraqi Refugee Community, Kaitlin Michelle Holland

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

There are currently 22.5 million refugees worldwide who have been displaced from their home countries due to war, conflict, or persecution. Of this total, only 1% are recommended for resettlement each year. In recent years, many of these resettled refugees have come from Iraq, fleeing conflict stemming from the Iraq war and ISIS. Upon resettlement, refugees face significant acculturation difficulties that can negatively affect mental health. Additionally, experiencing domestic violence and abuse (DVA) can also negatively affect physical and mental health. I researched how the refugee migration experience and domestic violence and abuse affect mental health as well as what …

Nicole Ludwig, Tsos, Nicole Ludwig

TSOS Interview Gallery

In September 2016, Nicole Ludwig led a group of her neighbors in Germany to assist newly-arrived Syrian and Afghani refugees. The volunteers collected clothing and toys, organized activities and field trips for the refugee children, and taught them German. Later, the volunteers offered homework support and led library reading groups. For the adult refugees, the volunteers provided cultural assimilation instruction and cooking classes. While there were occasional challenges to working together, the volunteers and refugees fostered a collaborative system and even hosted a Christmas party, during which one elderly Syrian man said, “This is one of the best memories I …

Katja, Ketevahi 'Katje', Tsos

TSOS Interview Gallery

Ketevahi “Katja” is from Georgia. She’s in her late 40’s. She grew up on a farm in the country and became the financial support for her family after her mother died and her father became “emaciated.” When Putin came to power, diplomatic ties deteriorated between Georgia and Russia, which eventually led to war. She fled her country using forged documents and first worked in Turkey but has now lived in Naples for nine years and regularly sends money home to her brother, who cares for their father.

Katja expresses her feelings about war, government, liberty, and what it means to …

Solar Stove, Julia Strange (Interior Design), Alaina Mcihenney (Physicians Assistant), Zachary Quain (Industrial Design), Adam Beauchner (Industrial Design), Irene Ghattas (Occupational Therapy)

Nexus Maximus

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD WINNER!

We designed a solar powered hot plate that also functions as a light source. This allows refugees to cook food without burning wood or using toxic fuels and provides a portable light source.

Nexus Maximus IV

The Challenge: Innovation for Refugees and Displaced Populations

One of the great challenges of our time is how to help refugees and displaced populations, and how to prevent the causes in the first place. Every minute, 24 people around the world are forced to flee their homes. That’s 34,000 people a day who leave everything behind in the hope of …

The Trade Exchange, Emily Monath (Industrial Design), Caroline Whittemore (Occupational Therapy), Wa’Ed Ibrahim (International Design Business Management), Michael Taffe (Finance), Bridget Sax (Interior Design)

Nexus Maximus

The Trade Exchange program changes the meaning of "refugee" from burden to asset. This job placement organization reduces depression and other mental health factors by capitalizing on refugees skills by placing them in countries with labor shortages.

Nexus Maximus IV

The Challenge: Innovation for Refugees and Displaced Populations

One of the great challenges of our time is how to help refugees and displaced populations, and how to prevent the causes in the first place. Every minute, 24 people around the world are forced to flee their homes. That’s 34,000 people a day who leave everything behind in the hope of …

Amicus: Communication Across Languages, Brian Cipperly (Industrial Design), Rosario Herrera (Graphic Design), Mike Savarie (Sustainable Design)

Nexus Maximus

MOST INNOVATIVE SOLUTION AWARD

Our project is designed to serve as a means for speakers of different languages to communicate using pictorial icons, particularly to serve basic needs such as food and water. At a refugee camp or other first point of contact, a volunteer or aid worker can be wearing a t-shirt, giving away blankets, or using flash cards with the symbols printed on them and the refugee can communicate their needs.

Nexus Maximus IV

The Challenge: Innovation for Refugees and Displaced Populations

One of the great challenges of our time is how to help refugees and displaced populations, …