From June to August, 2014, I worked with an organization that promotes health, education and social justice in the rural community of Goyena, near León, Nicaragua. Targeting two main etiological theories of a regional chronic kidney disease epidemic, I sought to understand and improve both hydration and safe drinking water access. The involvement of this community’s kind, humble and hopeful people was essential to my project’s success.

Outcomes •  Led meetings and produced brochures to disseminate

information on hydration, water quality and water treatment options

•  Worked with community’s youth brigade to develop communication strategy for improving water-related health

•  Long-term plan for continued action

Project Objectives •  Understand causes of CKDu

epidemic •  Assess hydration and water

quality access in rural village •  Evaluate most effective

intervention options for community

•  Plan an effective long-term strategy for improving quality and quantity of drinking water consumed

One of the many sugarcane fields surrounding Goyena, in which most of its men work

Leading an information session comparing point-of-use water treatment methods

León, Nicaragua

JOHN HARE-GROGG | B.N. Duke 2016 B.A., Environmental Science & Policy; Global Health

Lessons •  Importance of leadership and organization for effective and

efficient use of resources •  Influence of surroundings on my own sense of ability •  Language as a barrier… or a connection •  Precedence of day-to-day needs over long-term ones •  Indispensability of close relationships and cultural ambassadors

when adjusting to new environments Seeking to live, and commute, like a local

Methods •  Semi-structured oral survey of 30 community members (with

analysis ongoing) •  Reviewing research on effective approaches to water

improvement