Oliva Diaz Melgarejo

Oliva Diaz Melgarejo (she/her/hers) is originally from Paraguay but has lived nine years in Columbus, Ohio. She attended The Ohio State University, graduating summa cum laude in 2021 with a Bachelor's in Human Development and Family Science. Oliva is eager to pursue her passion for social work and her goal to positively impact the lives of people experiencing vulnerability and limited social protection. Her work in Paraguay, where social protection is influenced by culture, class, gender, and geographical location, has fueled her interest in public policymaking. She has witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by impoverished and indigenous communities in the Chaco Region of Paraguay. She has worked with the government and international agencies to support their access to water, food, and housing opportunities. She also employs her practical expertise in child development, working with families, and collaborating on projects with UNICEF and the European Union to implement childhood-oriented protection policies in collaboration with the communities affected.

She is currently doing her field placement at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) in Detroit, Michigan. Oliva expects to have the opportunity to experience and analyze programs and policies designed to provide social protection to people in situations of vulnerability, their communities, and the natural environment.