In Nicaragua, illnesses such as hepatitis as diarrhea are common in coastal communities. SUCCESS has been investigating whether the consumption of cockles from estuaries may be a
contributing factor to these health problems. Preliminary results of a study to assess water quality in cockle growing areas for E. coli contamination have documented levels well above US
standards for safe harvest and consumption of shellfish. This information will help in setting the stage for further discussions concerning management of shellfish beds to ensure safe and sanitary
harvests.
Priorities for Next Quarter April 1 – June 30, 2007
• Assess gender impacts as part of the overall analysis of the microenterprise study in
Tanzania.
11. Volunteers
11.1 Background
The Coastal Resources Center has a long history of using volunteers in its international work. To date, the SUCCESS Program has assigned Volunteers for Prosperity VfP to Tanzania and
Ecuador. Field Program sites have also been successful in recruiting other volunteers who do not necessarily qualify under the VfP program, but who add great value in helping SUCCESS reach
its goals.
11.2 Report Period Accomplishments January 1 – March 31, 2007
A volunteer has been on assignment in Thailand since January 2007. Katie Wolff is volunteering with the SUCCESS Thailand project on assessing the water quality in Klong Naka, Thailand. Her
assignment will be complete in May 2007. Four volunteers have been identified for assignments in Nicaragua and Ecuador. In June 2007 one
volunteer, from the University Vermont, will be on assignment in Nicaragua as a natural resources management, fisheries and aquaculture development specialist. He will be assisting
CIDEA-UCA in developing a framework for an effective and financially sustainable coastal extension program. In July and August 2007, a volunteer from Grays Harbor College in
Washington, will be involved in water quality sampling in the Cojimies Estuary, specifically with shrimp farmers. Two volunteers will be on assignment in Nicaragua as Ornithologists in
November 2007. Their assignment is to train local tour guides and to write a field guide for distribution to local tour guides.
The Volunteer for Prosperity Global Giving Project has yielded 300.00 in on-line donations for volunteers on assignment in Tanzania. Currently advertising for a volunteer to assist in Small
Business Specialist with experience in costume jewelry trade is underway. Once a volunteer is hired the funds received will be used towards the costs of their assignment.
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