Alumni Senior Award

One of the ways to make significant, lasting change is to give people the tools they need to build better lives for themselves. Thanks to the work of Jamie C. Zwiebel '08, residents of the mountain town of San Ramón, Nicaragua, are building the infrastructure for long-term economic success.

Zwiebel first arrived in San Ramón in 2006 to do an internship at a natural medicine pharmacy. While abroad, she helped translate a proposal and raise funds for the construction of a community medical clinic.

In 2007, she received a grant from the Davis Foundation through its 100 Projects for Peace Program. Through the grant, she was able to help create three sewing cooperatives including more than 50 women in and around San Ramón. The women create clothing to sell to their communities and the growing number of eco-tourists in the region. The cooperatives help the women become economically self-sufficient.

When Zwiebel returned to Grinnell, she continued her work by linking with Grinnell's Social Entrepreneurs. With their help, she and the group created a micro-loan process to benefit San Ramón entrepreneurs as they start up businesses.

She also spent four summers volunteering at a camp for children with life-threatening illnesses.

For her commitment to building strong communities both here and abroad, Grinnell is proud to honor Jamie Zwiebel '08.