KFLA Mink’a Talent Exchange Shows Global Results

Rooted in the Quechuan tradition found in South American indigenous circles, the Mink’a Talent Exchange was launched by the Kellogg Fellows Leadership Alliance (KFLA) in Fall 2016.

Mink’a encourages knowledge sharing and collaboration between KFLA’s global network of 1,700 community leaders, advocates, scholars, researchers and educators. The first results have been impressive, and everyone involved has benefited, reports Dr. Eva Moya, (KNFP-13), Associate Dean and Associate Professor of the College of Health Sciences at University of Texas El Paso.

“Mink’a is very powerful,” says Eva . “I see it as a gift of offering talent and knowledge between Fellows and their respective communities. It has tremendous potential, because eventually we can all become Mink’a recipients and Mink’a facilitators. It’s a very effective and caring method of receiving knowledge and helping each other grow. Kellogg Fellows have also donated to a Travel Fund, which can cover the travel costs of eligible collaborators.”

Mink’a Starts in Mexico by Empowering Others

Eva recently worked on the first Mink’a exchange in one of the poorest areas of Mexico. She was invited by Kellogg Fellow Carmen Villa (KPFL-02) and Eduardo Flores of LigaLab to teach ways that community groups in Chiapas could help their constituents voice discontent with poverty, human right violations and lack of access to education, health services and police protection.

Together they worked to introduce the community to the Photovoice methodology, which will help support these diverse groups’ research, assessment, intervention and advocacy work for years to come.

Read how this Mink’a exchange empowered the community and brought a voice to many under-served groups in the region.

Northeastern Brazil Benefits from Mink’a Exchange

Over in the Piaui province — one of Northeastern Brazil’s most economically disadvantaged provinces — a public/university hospital is significantly strengthening its health best practices, thanks to another Mink’a Talent Exchange.

Here’s what happened: Maria Cristina de Araujo (LASPAU) wanted specific environmental, sustainability and media waste best practices that she could apply to the hospital where she worked, (Federal University of Piaui University Hospital).

Through the Mink’a Talent Exchange, KFLA introduced Maria Cristina to another Kellogg Fellow Oswaldo Yoshimi Tanaka (KILP-01), from School of Public Health of the Sao Paulo University.

A former Vice-Health Secretariat of Sao Paulo state, Oswaldo was able to open doors to a series of meetings for her with relevant faculty at several top hospitals and institutions in Sao Paulo. Then the Mink’a Travel Fund paid her travel costs.

Maria Cristina says, “Through Mink’a it was possible to connect with people who would have been difficult to access only through my personal efforts.”

Learn how Mink’a is bringing hospital best practices for environment, sustainability and waste management to Northeastern Brazil.

Mink’a Moves to Africa and Brings Educational Resources to Many

In one of Africa’s poorest nations, the St. Lawrence High School has ambitious plans for its rural, mountainous community of ha Ntlama in the Berea District of Lesotho. It wants to take a new high school library and transform it into an educational center that benefits the entire community, especially those left behind. And it needs your help.

This new opportunity in Africa may be an ideal chance for you to get involved in Mink’a and share your talent. There are two different ways to help. First off, Fellows can immediately support the library by donating children and youth books, as well as agricultural learning materials. You can mail them to KFLA and we will route them to the school. Also — in summer 2018 — there is a Mink’a Talent Exchange opportunity for Fellows to travel and work with a locally based Fellow at the school. Eligible Fellows may qualify for Mink’a Travel Fund assistance.

Learn more about the exciting work of Kellogg Fellow Dr. Mary Hlalele (KILP-01) and see how you can make a difference.

Mink’a Helps A Struggling Detroit Neighborhood Rebuild Itself

For the first time in five decades, the Osborn neighborhood in Detroit is starting to feel the winds of revitalization. Here’s your chance to help Kellogg Fellow Quincy Jones (CLN-01) support this struggling urban community in northeastern Detroit!

“Detroit is going through a major renovation effort, especially in the Downtown and Midtown,” explains Quincy. “But some neighborhoods like Osborn have been left behind. Blocks emptied out, crime increased and homes became abandoned during the great recession/mortgage crisis. Our goal is to improve the quality of life for Osborn’s children and families.”

Learn more about this community’s ambitious renovation plans and how you can help.

Meanwhile, look for more stories of successful Mink’a exchanges in the upcoming months, as this initiative continues to travel around the globe.

Read about the Mink’a program. See how you can benefit as a Mink’a facilitator or Mink’a recipient with cultural offerings, intellectual contributions, social networking, spiritual support or vocational gifts.