By Alexia Kollar, 21Wilberforce Summer Associate
What helped shape my passion for justice and human dignity
Growing up, I often traveled to Brazil as a child, but a hiatus kept us away for several years. I returned in 2017 for my 18th birthday and saw my country through new eyes. I remember encountering young children alone on a mid-week school day, wandering and asking for food or money to support their families. It broke my heart—and left me indignant. Where were their parents? Had they eaten? Who was protecting them? Most of all, I wondered about their futures. How could they seize any opportunity if their basic needs were unmet? Why did I have a life of privilege and they did not? I did nothing to deserve my life—and neither did they. We were simply born into different circumstances.
Though the U.S. is no stranger to inequality, seeing the most vulnerable in a place I consider home left a deep impression. I thought about what those kids deserved—a warm bed, clean clothes, a favorite meal, a school uniform, and a classroom where they could break free from the cycle of systemic poverty.
That feeling of indignation, paired with helplessness about how I could help change their narrative, planted a seed. Though I felt small, I didn’t believe I was powerless. I believed I could be an agent of hope. I’m humbled by the life I’ve lived, and I cannot use it in vain. I’m still discovering what that looks like, but I know I would feel deeply unfulfilled if I ignored this calling.
Why I chose to study Politics, Philosophy, and Economics
I chose my major because real-world problems are complex. If I’m to serve and advocate for people, I must understand society holistically. I wasn’t satisfied learning from just one discipline—it lacked the depth needed to fully grasp the interconnected systems that influence people’s well-being.
As I’ve progressed through the PPE program, I’ve grown more confident in my choice. These disciplines have deepened my commitment to human rights, because each shapes the belief systems that govern our world. Human rights are as philosophical as they are political and economic.
I have been inspired by the Civil Rights Movement
This past spring, I took a travel study through the American South, exploring the roots of the Civil Rights Movement. A consistent theme emerged through the marches, boycotts, and organizing efforts: the power of the ordinary person. Regular citizens, defying violence and legislative oppression, demanded their rightful place in America. They’ve become my heroes and my inspiration.
Too often, we accept the idea that “things are just the way they are.” But the Civil Rights Movement proved otherwise. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
Faith, Values, and Calling
My faith has influenced my interest in defending universal human rights
My faith is the cornerstone of my life. I cannot follow Christ and forsake the Imago Dei. Every person is “to die for”—Christ already has, with no distinction. So, I will never look into the eyes of someone God does not love. If love is central to the human identity, then it must manifest as selflessness and mercy in action.
Verses like Micah 6:8, Isaiah 6:8, Matthew 14:14, and John 15:5 shape how I want to live. Christ secured our ultimate freedom, and I want to extend earthly freedom to others.
I feel a calling and a responsibility to defend freedom of belief
Returning to Brazil was the seed. Over time, that experience has evolved into a clear conviction. Encounters with international students at CFNI from countries like Burma, Nigeria, and China deepened my gratitude for religious freedom—and my understanding of its fragility.
In the U.S., we often take this freedom for granted. But through my studies and conversations, I’ve come to understand the vital role America plays in promoting freedom of religion or belief globally.
Academic and Professional Growth
A project I recently completed stretched and inspired me
In my Comparative Government class, I analyzed Federalist countries—and naturally chose Brazil. I studied the Brazilian Constitution and explored its history, structure, fiscal policies, and party system. This project stretched my understanding of how a nation functions and how laws shape civil liberties. It reaffirmed my belief that legal systems should serve the welfare of the people.
Working with Christ for the Nations Institute taught me the importance of communication and cultural adaptability
It may sound simple—but I was genuinely surprised by how different worldviews impacted communication. At CFNI, we served students from over 30 countries. I quickly learned that how I shared information mattered just as much as what I shared. Adjusting to different cultural expectations was key to fostering unity and understanding.
One of my greatest takeaways was the importance of cultural adaptability, grounded in humility and compassion.
Fluency in four languages has helped me connect with others
Being multilingual is one of my greatest personal and professional assets. There’s no better feeling than helping someone feel seen and safe in their own language. At CFNI, many international students were still learning English while adjusting to a new environment. Communicating policies to them in their own language relieved stress and ensured they fully understood.
That experience showed me how language can be a bridge—not just to understanding, but to dignity. It fuels my desire to keep refining my language skills and to meet people where they are.
Life Experiences Across Cultures
I was raised within a bicultural context and that shaped my worldview
Though I haven’t lived abroad, my identity is deeply rooted outside the U.S. I was born in Brazil to a Brazilian mother and American father, and moved to the U.S. at four months old. My parents made sure I stayed connected to Brazilian culture and family.
Growing up in suburban Maryland and New Jersey, I often felt “different”—even down to how my lunches looked. That sense of not being fully understood helped me develop compassion for others navigating cultural identity. It taught me that my experience isn’t the only way to see the world—and that “different” is not a deficit.
A family trip that reinforced the human desire to connect
In 2023, my family met our extended relatives in Italy. My great-grandfather immigrated to Brazil, and his brother returned to Italy—two branches of one tree. We reconnected over Facebook and, eventually, at the airport.
We worried about language and cultural differences, but those worries disappeared with our first hugs. Despite vastly different upbringings, we all longed for the same things: love, connection, and security. That trip reminded me that there is no culture greater than our shared humanity.
Present and Future Vision
Goals for my internship with 21Wilberforce
In just a few weeks, I’ve learned so much about human rights reporting—how violations are documented and how that data is used to advocate for change. I hope to better understand how activism starts at the grassroots and how I can build a life rooted in that work. I’ll feel accomplished if my contributions strengthen the team and ease their load.
Long-term goal
This question brings emotion to the surface. Ten years from now, I hope I’ve become a beacon of hope to the oppressed. I want to use my hands—through the Lord—to protect and serve the people He loves, however that may look.
Injustice breaks my heart, yet there is hope
While all suffering is valid, my heart especially aches for children robbed of their childhood by war. Gaza, South Sudan, Ukraine—all come to mind, but they are not alone.
Still, I believe that if evil exists, so does good. And that good is personified in God. From that truth, hope emerges. Hope is practical—it shows up. Hope is caring for the “least of these,” giving our time, energy, and resources to those in need.
Ultimately, hope lives in our hands.
June 17, 2025
Alexia Kollar is a senior Politics, Philosophy, and Economics major at Dallas Baptist University. She is serving as a summer intern with 21Wilberforce.