UCLA Center for the Study of Women

Through Michael Silverman’s summer Travel Study Thailand program, UCLA students have had the opportunity to share in the women’s daily activities, delivering meals to women living with HIV/AIDS, designing and selling naturally tie-dyed bags and personal accessories, vending baked goods at the local market, and participating in environmental restoration activities. During the 2009 summer program, one group of UCLA students engaged with these women for their capstone community research project on sustainable livelihoods. One result is their development of a new collaborative called Women’s Initiatives for Local Livelihoods (W.I.L.L.). The students share highlights from their experience in this article.