Exploring Creole women's health using ethnography and Photovoice in Bluefields, Nicaragua.
Bluefields, Nicaragua is the largest city in the Southern Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAS), and home to communities of Nicaragua's six ethnic groups. Photovoice research techniques were used in this ethnographic study to explore the health experiences of Creole women. After participating in focus groups to discuss women's health, 12 Creole women took photographs to describe their health experiences. The researcher then interviewed them about what each picture meant, and participants selected photos for a community-wide exhibition in Bluefields. Photos and narratives were analyzed to construct a description of the cultural context in which Creole women experienced health. One of the greatest women's health concerns reported was that participants believed the younger generation was losing touch with Creole culture,This project encompasses transitional housing for the elderly, daycare for adults (primarily Alzheimer’s patients), education and fundraising, and community outreach functions; it was co-developed by Bridge Housing and the Institute on Aging. The landscape features a glass-enclosed central courtyard houses a water feature, large planters filled with large-timber black bamboo, embedded boulders and seating. The bamboo is a symbol of a firm and noble person who bends in the wind but never breaks; the boulders symbolize longevity. Paving is designed according to feng shui principles: The entry patterns are meandering and the central water feature has ripples of paving for energy in facilitating the flow of chi.

CLIENT

Bridge Housing and the Institute on Aging

CATEGORY

Housing

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JACK LONDON GATEWAY

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

In 2009, Keller Mitchell worked with SGPA Design to build 60 Senior apartments