Layne Vandenberg, BA International Studies Honors; BA Spanish; minor, Global Media Studies ‘15
International Peace Initiatives
Meru, Kenya
Thanks to the Rose Silverman Fellowship, Layne received a grant of $1,000 for an internship in Kenya with International Peace Initiatives, to work on implementation of the Kithoka Soap Initiative (TKSI). Layne started the initiative in the summer of 2012 when she first travelled to Kenya with U-M’s Kenya Project. TKSI encourages local economic growth and understanding of global development. The idea–a soap business–embodies social entrepreneurship principles as it aims to produce revenue and socially impact the area through its relatively inexpensive start-up cost and sustainable structure. It utilizes local resources, employs women and secondary school students, and provides a product that can help eliminate water-borne and bacterial infections. Layne writes a wonderful blog where she chronicles the day-to-day activities of TKSI.
Layne is also an International Institute Fellow, Raoul Wallenberg Summer Travel Fellow, seven-term Angell Scholar, and Fulbright Research Scholar.
Kaylee Van Dommelen, BS Biomolecular Sciences; minor, International Studies ‘15
Internship, World Endeavors
Arusha, Tanzania
Kaylee received a Rose Silverman Internship Fellowship grant of $1,000 for an internship in Arusha, Tanzania, with the organization World Endeavors. World Endeavors collaborates with local organizations in medical facilities and educational programs to provide HIV/AIDS education and to meet the basic medical needs of HIV-positive community members. World Endeavors promotes cultural immersion and global understanding, and with this internship, Kaylee learned about the culture and health system of Tanzania. Kaylee is also an International Institute Fellow.
