From the president
Leith Chikh Rouho, an international student from Tunisia, is a sophomore at Bates College who invests hours each week at a local organization focused on food and housing justice. In addition to providing support in the soup kitchen, Leith assists people in the day shelter, including as a French and Arabic translator for newly arrived clients from other parts of the world. Back on campus, Leith also recruits other student volunteers to get engaged in the off-campus community. A pre-med student, Leith intends to incorporate his commitments to justice and cross-cultural understanding into his future career as a physician.
Personal Statement
As a student from Tunisia, engaging with the local community has provided me with a means to integrate myself into a new culture. Since starting college, I have sought ways to engage with the Lewiston community and forge connections with local partners. I mostly volunteer with the Trinity Jubilee Center, a day shelter and a soup kitchen for a diverse population who recently started calling Lewiston home. Given my background in Arabic and French, I am able to engage with the people the shelter serves, forging cross-cultural understanding and inclusivity. On campus, I act as a liaison, working to erase the barrier between the college and the city by trying to get more students involved, and organizing occasional campaigns. My work at Trinity has instilled in me a passion for food and housing justice, and I strive to embody those values for my remaining time in college and beyond.