UNB Public Health Water Hybrid AUG 2014 Honduras

Start Date: Aug 21, 2014 12:00 AM
End Date: Aug 29, 2014 12:00 AM

University of New Brunswick students will travel to Honduras in August 2014 for 9 days to participate in the Public Health and Water programs.

The current focus of the Public Health Program is to develop sustainable health solutions and establish a standard of health quality with an emphasis on prevention and education that will augment the other Global Brigades disciplines in Honduras. The Public Health Program achieves this by implementing in-home infrastructure projects, providing health education, and engaging community members. Each Public Health Brigade will work with individual families, local schools, and community leaders with a focus on holistic and preventative health measures on both an individual and community-wide scale.

Water Brigades' mission is to empower communities to access sufficient, clean water through infrastructural development, water treatment, community leader training, and education. Water Brigades Volunteers assist in implementing clean water systems to prevent water related illnesses in communities with limited access to clean water. One of the fundamental roadblocks to community development is lack of clean water. Drinking contaminated water is a catalyst in the vicious cycle of chronic illness, which is compounded by poor infrastructure and limited access to medical care for large rural populations. Therefore, constant exposure to parasite and bacteria laden water hinders the quality of life and productivity of rural populations. With a sufficient quantity of properly treated water, community members can cut off the connection between water and illness and ultimately live healthier, more productive lives.