October 2011 - Speaking Tour - La Isla Foundation cont’d…
La Isla Foundation’s Jason Glaser Continues on a Speaking Tour!
Join La Isla in your neighborhood!
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OCTOBER 11 - Boston University Environmental Health 12 - 1P & 5 - 6P
Event listed here.
The Problem
In the agricultural lowlands of Central America an epidemic of chronic kidney disease is prevalent among agricultural workers. In an area without proper medical facilities this chronic disease becomes a terminal one. The cause is as yet unknown but is strongly associated with sugar and ethanol production.
The Speaker
Jason Glaser, the founder of La Isla Foundation, will be in Boston to speak about Chronic Kidney Disease plaguing sugarcane workers in northwestern Nicaragua. An epidemic that seems to be affecting all of Central America is seen at an extremely high frequency in these communities in Nicaragua.
La Isla Foundation
La Isla Foundation is committed to supporting those who are affected or at risk of this disease in Chinandega Nicaragua, and to help influence policy changes that will help reduce the burden of this disease on its victims. La Isla Foundation offers practicum, internship or research opportunities.
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OCTOBER 12 at 12:30 pm. Harvard School of Public Health
Kresge 204. 677 Huntington Ave. Boston, MA
Burned: The cost of the sugar and ethanol industry
An epidemic of chronic kidney disease is underway among agricultural workers in the lowlands of Central America. These workers face extremely harsh working conditions in extreme temperatures, exposure to pesticides, inadequate hydration and alimentation while working low wages with limited access to health and social security assistance after becoming sick. They produce sugar and ethanol for bio-fuels used in the European Union.
In these regions, CKD is the number one killer. Young fathers often fall victim to this disease, leaving behind widows and children who struggle to survive in extreme poverty. In an area without proper medical facilities this chronic disease becomes a terminal one. The cause of this fatal epidemic is strongly associated with sugar and ethanol production. The death rate is so high that the small community of La Isla is now known as The Island of Widows.
In 2008, filmmaker Jason Glaser learned about CKD and La Isla while making a film about banana workers. Over the following months, Jason watched as, one by one, young friends he had made died from kidney failure. He put his film aside and started La Isla Foundation. Jason will be in Boston to speak about this man-made disease plaguing sugarcane workers in northwestern Nicaragua. Please be there to show your support.
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OCTOBER 13 - Ohio University Latin American Studies - 7P
… AND MORE COMING SOON!
For speaking opportunities please email us.
