## Portraits of Resilience

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Portraits of Resilience](https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/fandd/article/2020/september/portraits-of-resilience-slideshow.pdf)

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- [Markdown version](/-/media/files/publications/fandd/article/2020/september/portraits-of-resilience-slideshow.pdf.md)
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### Samela Satere-Mawe — Manaus, Brazil
- Biology student Samela Satere-Mawe, 23, serves as secretary of the Association of Satere-Mawe Indigenous Women in Manaus, Brazil.
- Indigenous name meaning: “bee.”
- Association’s traditional livelihood: selling handicrafts made from Amazonian products, mainly to tourists.
- COVID-19 impact: usual activities halted; group pivoted to making face masks.
- Initial purpose of masks: members’ own use; later expanded for sale more broadly.
- External support: organizations donated sewing machines, material, and food.
- Role: Samela coordinates production of face masks that are now the lifeblood of the association.
- Photographs and reporting by RAPHAEL ALVES in Manaus, Brazil.
- Visual notes from the source:
  - Sonia Satere-Mawe, coordinator, displays masks with daughters Samela and Sandiely.
  - Members of the association sew face masks.
  - A bundle of face masks packaged by the association.
  - Residents gathered for a group photo in July after receiving gift baskets from the Amazonas Sustainable Foundation.

### Lupe Salmeron Ibarra — Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Personal background:
  - Coming graduation from Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin, would have been first in family to obtain a degree.
  - Came to the United States at age six; is an undocumented immigrant.
- Education and financial details:
  - Undocumented noncitizens do not qualify for federal student loans and must pay international student tuition, which is higher than in-state tuition.
  - Edgewood College offered her a generous financial package.
- COVID-19 impact:
  - Spring internship in Washington, D.C., and part-time restaurant job were shuttered in March.
  - Returned to Madison; worked as a credit union teller to help defray steep tuition.
  - Contracted COVID-19; isolated with mild symptoms and had to be isolated for 10 days.
  - After recovery, returned to work and then joined the staff of a local nonprofit that helps Latinx youth prepare for college.
- Civic engagement and outlook:
  - Politically active but cannot vote because she is undocumented.
  - Younger brother, who just turned 18, will be the first in the family to vote.
  - Quote: “If more people in my generation get into politics, we can reflect on how the system is broken, and focus on what we want to change.”
- Photographs and reporting by ARIANA LINDQUIST in Madison, Wisconsin.
- Visual notes from the source:
  - Lupe cooks breakfast for her younger sister Ximena.
  - Lupe holds graduation stoles representing various organizations.
  - Lupe and friend Damien stop to buy lemonade.
  - Lupe watches Grey’s Anatomy on Netflix after dinner.
  - Lupe bikes with an old friend, Damien Burke.

### Raja Mia — Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Personal and household details:
  - Raja Mia, 45, rickshaw driver; lives with his wife, Beauty, and youngest son, Bishal, age 7.
  - Household has just one room; cooking and sanitary facilities are shared with members of other families.
  - Lives in a 10 by 10 foot room in the capital city.
- Pre-COVID and COVID income details:
  - On a normal day, Raja makes $7.
  - After city lockdown on March 25, his work slowed and daily income dropped to $2.50.
  - Some days he stays at home due to lack of work.
- Food security and coping:
  - Family had to rely on neighbors for food during the lockdown.
  - Quote: “If I don’t work, we will die anyway.”
- Activities and work notes:
  - Raja comes out of the rickshaw garage to pick up a passenger.
  - In the evening, Raja enjoys playing music with friends.
  - Raja counts his day’s earnings as dusk falls on Dhaka.
- Photographs and reporting by K. M. ASAD in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- Visual notes from the source:
  - A customer pays Raja for the ride.
  - Raja covers his face now.

*Finance & Development | September 2020 — portraits-of-resilience-slideshow*

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/fandd/article/2020/september/portraits-of-resilience-slideshow.pdf_