La Isla Network

Have know Jason for (many) years and greatly respect the work of La Isla Kevin C

La Isla Network stands out for its unwavering commitment to the protection of workers. Through dedicated initiatives and advocacy, La Isla Network actively supports workers’ rights and ensures a safe, fair working environment. Their efforts in raising awareness and driving positive change are commendable and crucial in today’s workforce landscape.

Important, well conducted, impactful work. Advancing both research and improving workplaces. Happy to have been working with them for many years.

The work LIN is doing globally to bring attention to the conditions of workers in heat exposed settings in low and middle incomes countries is extremely valuable to all role-players including, researchers, worker groupings and policy makers. Importantly their collaborations are benefitting worker health.

La Isla Network is a small but highly effective non profit that has contributed to positive change for manual workers around the world. They are responsible for changing the labor conditions in the largest sugar mill in Nicaragua and El Salvador, and are at the forefront of developing protections for manual laborers against heat stress and kidney disease.

The work that La Isla Network did was revolutionary to the science of heat and heat-related health outcomes for occupational health. The Network published numerous papers carefully documenting the health effects of extreme heat, add to the body of evidence layer by layer. In recent years, La Isla Network also showed how localized policy at the workplace can be effective and attainable to employers and workers. Substantial and consequential findings from Mesoamerican studies will advance heat protection policies in the US and abroad. I collaborated closely with La Isla Network and saw the dedication to push forward new and novel scientific findings.

This is exactly the kind of approach that creates a lasting impact. Science needs to meet the actual world but seldom does. LIN does. I've seen it.

La Isla Foundation is addressing one of the most pressing social issues of our time: the inequitable global burden of climate change on workers and their families. Their work has highlighted the pressing need for adequate occupational protections in a warming world, and they have been leaders in helping to identify precisely what those protections should look like. As the climate crisis continues to disrupt the lives and livelihoods of workers globally, La Isla Network is an indispensable ally who fights on their behalf.

On Costa Rica on a trip I was reading the newspaper and learned that the agricultural workers in Guanacaste had high rates of very serious kidney disease that often killed them. Later I learned this is an issue in a number of sites and that La Isla Foundation is working on this neglected problem. I think it is an excellent group and worth donating to.

This foundation does so much with so little! I have supported the work of this NGO for some years, when my friend started working with them. I know the donations are in good hands and touch the lives of families that really need them. I have witnessed the efforts they make to reach out to more people and to bring awareness to this issue. This is an excellent NGO, if you read this, please also consider supporting them.

This organization has a global focus and is working keeping in mind global climate change! Sometimes organizations focus on the immediate needs, but I follow their social media and materials and they truly care about the consequences of the changes our planet is going through. I highly recommend supporting the work they do. It is important to support organizations that keep a global focus and care about the environment and their consequences in vulnerable communities.

A year ago I did not have an idea about the epidemic of CKDnt going on. I didn't even have an idea there was one going on. Then, I had the opportunity to be in the thesis defense of one of my classmates focusing on CKDnt in India. I learned this is happening in many countries around the world not just in India. It was devastating to see the consequences of the disease and how agricultural workers get the most affectation. She showed data from rice-field workers, but during the presentation she mentioned it was happening also in other regions with different crops and even different jobs. I was curious and interested in the topic and started my own little research and found La Isla Network’s webpage. It is concerning that not so many people know about the existence of this disease. They do a great job raising awareness and overall focusing on research. It has been amazing to see they focus on different regions. Thank you for bringing awareness about this disease.

I learned about La Isla thru a friend I made, during one of my many trips to Nicaragua, who was lucky to have found the education and support that he and his family needed at the time. After researching about this NGO and talking to a couple more local people, I am certain this is an NGO with a great vocation and those who collaborate have a tireless spirit. The work they do has changed and improved the lives of hundreds of workers.
We need more organizations like this!

I am very impressed with La Isla Network professionalism and expertise, especially seeing big companies who disagree with their mission. I am planning to make a monthly donation. Let protect our workers from climate change!

This is the kind of nonprofit I fully support...they are a non-corporate, no big overhead, highly focused, hands-on and getting things done. I've been a supporter and involved for most of the 5 years.

Creo que el trabajo de la investigación es asombroso, porque se interesa por el bienestar de los trabajadores en los ingenios azucareros, quienes tienen jornadas laborales físicamente desgastantes, lo cual repercute en su salud, en su entorno familiar y por ende deriva en una problemática social.

I was introduced to La Isla Foundation by a friend who is passionate about worker safety and especially vulnerable populations and wanted to highlight some of the great work in the field. The work that La Isla is doing to help those who are the most vulnerable from preventing chronic diseases such as chronic kidney disease is amazing. I'm optimistic that La Isla can continue to make a difference in the communities that they work with and help to allow workers to live a long happy life with their families.

I am undergraduate student and I had the opportunity to review the work la Isla does when I was in my internship in Sri Lanka. They really make an effort to address the causes of CKDnt in workers in different parts of the world. They do a great job.

I saw part of LIN's work in El Salvador and their dedication and the gentle manner that treated the people of the zafra is unpredictable

As a board member of the Tallberg Foundation, I participated in nominating for a leadership prize Jason Glaser and the team at La Isla Foundation. They are an important new voice in the field of worker health and safety in emerging market agriculture, industry and supply chains. La Isla is one of the few organisations that is able to work both ground up and top down, by supporting ground breaking public health research on chronic kidney disease of undetermined causes and by drawing on the implications of research for field-based remedies and continuing pressure for change.
They need support, as they are challenging the norms of traditional Development NGO 'tick the box' solutions and questioning the working practices of large multinational supply chains who profit from low-cost commodities harvested by largely unprotected field and factory workers. Progress on such issues will require persistent long-term evidence-based holistic approaches pioneered by La Isla and its network of scientists, public policy advocates, corporate facilitators and field advisers. La Isla is a model for the next generation of activist public health researchers who are also skilled at engaging and mediating between 'root cause' actors in a complex system of relationships.

Organization focused on yours objectives. They have a clear goal and care about the community

Excelente organización que busca el bienestar de los trabajadores de caña y de las comunidades aledañas.

They're doing a great job with workers in Nicaragua, helping people to prevent kidney disease. Small changes got great results!

LIF is an outstanding organization that has conducted some of the best research and advocacy on behalf of marginalized workers who suffer serious harm in their young work life. LIF delivers life saving training and initiatives to investigate and address occupational harms. They are deserving of the highest rating possible and the support of any funder concerned with the occupational and environmental impacts confronting the world.

The team is really hard working and are always up to get the work done.

Fantastic NGO that is making a difference. Good people, great ideas, and (best of all) the determination and know-how to make a difference.

I have followed Jason Glaser and La Isla's commitment to their mission in Nicaragua for many years. Because of their work, workers in the sugar cane fields and their families have received the attention they so desperately deserve, and resources that would not otherwise have been made available to them. The La Isla folks have done this with sometimes great personal risk, and certainly great personal sacrifice. For this reason, I have supported their work financially and will continue to.

LaIsla is a fantastic NGO with self-less experts working for the underprivileged. I agreed to be a scientific advisory board member only after reviewing their past works and also based on the reviews from peers and experts in the area of Climate Change and Occupational Health. The network does excellent service not only for the workers in Central America but also very keen in South East Asia where the workers' condition needs attention. Getting out of their orbit of North America and to think of workers at a global level with the intent of workers' health is an extraordinary act of service. A small project funded to study the "Impact of Heat Stress on the Renal Health of workers in select industries in Indonesia in Climate Change context" is a standing example of the NGO's intent to serve the global worker population. 'BEYOND BORDERS' are the words that come to my mind. Student fellowships and scholarships are on the horizon of the organisation for aspiring students from developing nations. I truly believe that they are trying making a difference in workers' health and into making phenomenal changes in worker health initiatives. I wish them well and all success in their noble endeavours.

Awesome NGO dedicated to ending CKDu. They really make a difference.

I began working with La Isla Foundation - now La Isla Network - in 2015. I was contacted by their CEO to do a community based art project with the community of Chichigalpa, Nicaragua, a hotspot of the CKDu epidemic. During this time, there was a lot of unpredictable change and adjustments within the organization and their multi-national relationships. It was impressive to see this team, dedicated and hard working, work together throughout these dynamic times. It is very difficult to continually fight for those who are largely overlooked by our global society. LIN is a frontline fighter for many lives and voices, who are rarely heard, and yet are so intrinsic to our collective global network. It is an honor to know, experience, and support LIN and team, they are emblematic of what NGOs should aspire to be.

I've followed the work of La Isla Network since 2013 when I first became a volunteer with the NGO in Nicaragua. I was greatly impressed by their passion, dedication, and commitment to shedding light on a neglected occupational illness among workers in Nicaragua and MesoAmerica. I worked with the public health team and the communications team (both in conjunction with the affected communities themselves) to both understand the roots of the chronic kidney disease of undetermined causes (CKDu) and ensure that the voices of the community were projected locally and internationally. I always found the La Isla team to be professional and undaunted, despite navigating the challenges of groundbreaking public health and human rights work.

Since parting ways with LIN in 2014, I've seen LIN develop a broader global role while maintaining their mission to bring evidence-based solutions to end CKDu. I've been impressed with LIN's ability to partner with experts from across the globe to better understand the global scope of CKDu, while simultaneously researching and advocating for better working conditions in worker communities. They've assembled an expert team from multi-disciplinary backgrounds and I'm confident we'll continue to see stellar work produced from their multiple work channels.

They let anyone volunteer, no matter the skill set. Chaotic but fun to volunteer with the kids in the community! That was the best part. Always seems to be staff office drama.

Originally interested in La Isla Foundation for it's commitment to public health in Nicaragua. I was disappointed in how the management interacts with volunteers and staff. It is unclear how time and money are managed.

La Isla popped up on my radar when a good friend versed in Latin American politics recommended it. The Foundation is both super professional and very down to Earth. It's just as welcoming an environment as it is fast-paced and goal-oriented, and I think that makes a winning combination.

I first learned about La Isla through a local friend who worked there and said they did a good job and was a wonderfull place to be. So when I needed a break in my law studies I contacted them and offered my help. They were very proffesional, and I had two skype interviews, first with the head of law at the organisation, to review my abilities in the field, and then with the head of spanish to see if my spanish was good enough. And luckily they offered me an internship in the law department.

Most people at La Isla have experience in public health or similar, so the law department is really smal. But this only means you get a lot of responsability and lots of relevant work. So far my stay has been qute hectick, but such a great experience. Lots of interesting work, super friendly coworkers and quite a bit of fun in between all the work.

So far my stay has defenately lived up to my rather high expectations, and it is great to feel part of all the amazing work that goes on here.

I started an internship at La Isla Foundation in September and it has been a fantastic experience so far! Everyone on staff is super friendly, as are all my fellow interns and volunteers. La Isla Foundation does amazing work and it's inspiring to be a part of such an important organization. I was pretty unfamiliar with public health and human rights issues (I'm a grant writing intern), but everyone I've gotten a chance to work with has been great with explaining the ins and outs to me and I feel like I've gained an amazing education in the time I've been here so far. Another huge plus - I get to do actual work. It's not the kind of place where interns spend their time filing or going for coffee runs. This is a fantastic organization to intern for!

I originally came to La Isla in early 2013 to intern with the Legal Department on a field study for three months. I was going through a rough time at that time, but the people I met at LIF were so friendly that I was quickly able to create a strong supportive network. The work the organization does is inspiring, and you can still volunteer while taking Spanish classes or going on excursions in the region if that's what you are looking for. The ties I made at LIF were so strong that I was asked to join the Board of Directors later in the year. I have really enjoyed my time on the Board so far, helping with top-level planning and getting a big-picture view of the organization's future.

I first got to know La Isla Foundation a year and a half ago when I came to this organisation to fulfil my final requirements for my master degree in public health. It was such a powerful experience, and I knew that there was so much more interesting work that needed to be done in this field that I decided to come back to continue to work with this organisation.
It is a challenging job, but it is so exciting to be part of this fight to help to end the epidemic CKDu that affects poor agricultural workers in Nicaragua, and eventually will have its effects in many other countries in the world that experience similar problems. More and more informations becomes available about the cause of this devastating disease and more large international organisations are starting to pay attention to this epidemic. This strengthens my belief that this epidemic can be stopped, and that is what keeps me going, and keeps me here in Nicaragua working for this wonderful organisation with dedicated people to get this job done!

I volunteered with La Isla in their communications department, and lived in one of the private rooms upstairs. The La Isla staff was an incredible team: they listened to what I wanted to do and learn and gave me projects that were educational and enjoyable. The other volunteers were welcoming, and there were plenty of activities outside of work for us to do.

Volunteering as a Public Health Intern with La Isla Foundation for a month in Leon was an incredible experience. The staff is extremely motivated and welcoming. There is never a loss for something to do, whether it is doing work for the organization, taking a Salsa class or practicing your Spanish with one of La Isla's fantastic tutors. Finally, this organization taught me much more about the Nicaraguan culture than any textbook or traditional tour could have. I would strongly recommend volunteering with La Isla Foundation if you are staying in Leon.

They say that some things are such that words do not do them justice. Such is the case with my stay in Leon with La Isla Foundation. The following however, comes as close to how I feel as I can put into words.

There is no doubt in my mind that La Isla Foundation's "raison d'être" is among the noblest of human endeavors. And that is to exist solely to serve others.

In this instance that service is a race against time trying to find a cause and possible solution or cure to the health problem plaguing a small Nicaraguan community.

Young men, in the sugar cane industry, are dying at early ages from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). To say that this is devastating to the community should come as no surprise. Fortunately, La Isla has many dedicated volunteers who are attempting to eliminate this problem.

In addition, others are assisting by donating to the cause. There are several ways to do so. One can simply make a donation, or go there in person and experience a variety of activities suited to the adventurous soul. They include: learning Spanish and/or how to salsa; visiting Leon or other cities; visiting natural reserves or one of the several nearby volcanoes. Do these and assist La Isla and its worthy cause

In doing so, you will step into a world far different from our own. And be sure to savor the friendship of the volunteers, for such as these, saints are made.

when I walked in off the street 3 months ago looking for some volunteer work I had no idea about the chronic kidney epidemic of sugar cane cutters in chichgalpa, but I'm happy to know that there is an organisation like La Isla Foundation working to fix it. I really do feel their approach to the problem is working and will bring great results to the health, wellbeing, education and job prospects of this community. personally I have loved volunteering with the foundation an I feel the work of the volunteers does directly benefit the community. My work at the foundations has included teaching English, organising and helping sports and art with schoolkids in the community, returning test results in the community and translation. I would thoroughly recommend volunteering here, you will learn a lot,work with a fantastic commited team and meet some great people, both from the foundation abbeys communities.

My daughter spent her high school years developing a love of service to the under-served and a command of the Spanish language; then her college years developing interests in sustainable agriculture and public health. To complete her degree requirements she chose an internship with La Isla Foundation. The three months spent as an intern germinated a passion in her for the work of this organization and upon completion, she accepted a position on their full-time staff. My interest began by following Katie's blog and continued as I followed the links and learned more about the issues that so drive her. Her passion and her absense from home inspired her Dad and I to visit. I saw for myself the devastation that CKDu has on the sugar cane harverters, their communities and families. A young man (son, husband and father) no longer able to work - stopped by an illnes sure to be fatal. LIF is involved in demographic study and other research to determine the cause of this specific CKDu and to recommend change. Further, they are teaching the children of the community skills to enable their future employment to be in healthier occupations. LIF is also raising awareness of the issues in the larger community and world. They are advocating for a population unable to advocate for themselves. To raise some of the money needed for this mission, LIF is present in the community teaching English and Spanish, guiding tours and teaching Salsa Dance. We stayed in their hostel. They were most welcoming, instructive, passionate and fun. I am proud that my daughter works for such an important organization and would welcome the opportunity to visit LIF again.

I first learned about La Isla Foundation and Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Aetiology (CKDu) while looking for public health and geographic information system volunteer opportunities abroad. That was 6 months ago and since then I have packed my bags, made my way down to Léon, and begun working with the La Isla`s public health team. Being here it is hard not to be inspired by the commitment and passion that all of the staff and volunteers have for this issue. I have also been very impressed at how multi-faceted La Isla`s approach to this issue is: it works with affected communities to provide education through english classes, computer lessons, art, and sports, it also raises awareness and promotes partnerships and collaborations between stakeholders for improved communication and research, and raises funds by offering spanish, yoga, and salsa classes to visitors. Léon has been a beautiful place to live, and La Isla, an inspiring place to work. I would recommend this organization to anyone!

Since forming, La Isla Foundation has been committed to addressing the epidemic of Chronic Kidney Disease of Unkown Aetiology (CKDu) in northwest Nicaragua, an epidemic at the fault lines of major global issues. By coordinating and conducting research on the ground, as well as raising awareness around the world about both the epidemic and disease, La Isla Foundation has played a fundamental role in addressing an emerging chronic disease while helping a beleaguered community. As an advocate, I have watched CKDu transition from a relatively unheard of disease to a prime-time news story in under 5 years; as a volunteer, I have witnessed first-hand the positive effect La Isla Foundation has in the local communities and those affected by CKDu; and, as a board member I strived to uphold our commitment to transparency and good governance, ensuring as much of our budget reaches those in direct need as possible.

La Isla Foundation is committed not only to providing relief to the families and communities devastated by Chronic Kidney Disease, but also to understanding the systemic failures that lead to the crisis, and advocating for policy level change to end it once and for all. I have worked with several development organizations and non-profits in Central America, but never have I found one as committed to creating a model for long-term systemic level change as LIF. As a volunteer, I can say that LIF puts volunteers, interns, and students to work in meaningful ways to challenge and expand their skill set as few other organizations can. As a board member, I am proud to say that we hold ourselves to the highest standards of transparency, organization and management at every level. I can attest to the dedication and commitment of each of the staff who work tirelessly for very little compensation to put as much of every dollar raised as possible back into the community. We hope that the lessons we are learning will serve as a model for addressing similar problems in the future.

While living and working in Leon, Nicaragua I was introduced to the CKDu epidemic while doing a video report with a journalist there. We were both so equally impressed by the dedication and strategy of the La Isla Foundation team that we decided to hand over all of our work to them to use for the cause. A year later I find myself working with LIF on a documentary film to expose the issue. The team we have is like a family and many volunteers and interns leave only to pursue further studies or work directly related to what's happening here.

I came to La Isla Foundation as an intern for my senior internship at Temple University. I am a Sport and Recreation Management major and I was excited to use my knowledge to gain more experience with working in community relations and with a Non-Governmental Organization. I go to the community in Chichigalpa three times a week to do sports and arts, computer classes and English lessons with the kids in Guanacastal Sur whose fathers and some mothers are most likely suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease. Aside from my community work I also created and implemented the yoga program for the organization. My supervisors felt confident in me and allowed me to run and coordinate the entire program. To be able to be creative and express myself has never been an issue with LIF. The disease is a very real and heartbreaking thing, but being able to work with amazing people makes the situation easier to cope with. I do not regret doing this experience and I will never forget the memories of not only my staff, but working to help a very important cause.

I was so impressed with La Isla Foundation that I joined the board of directors as a volunteer member. The employees work hard, the volunteers are inspired, the cause is righteous, there is little to no waste in this organization. When I met Jason Glaser, I saw his passion and commitment to help the people in this forgotten corner of a forgotten country. The more I learn about La Isla, the more impressed I am. Doing so much for so many with so little. In short, it's what a non-profit should be!

I first stumbled across the website for La Isla foundation purely by accident when researching my round the world trip in May 2010, as I wanted to learn some Spanish in Nicaragua and maybe climb a volcano or two. I read about the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemic they are working to eradicate for the first time on their website and was shocked to read about what is going on there that I gave them a donation through a paypal link on their website. After that I started thinking about how I could raise some more money so I put on an afternoon of bands in my local pub where I live in Suffolk, England. We managed to raise about £1,000 GBP on the day, and, when I actually made it out there 6 months later, I got to see where my money went; they bought some computers for the school in the La Isla community about an hour away from Léon where I got to then go and volunteer at. The kids there are so clever and they all excelled on their computer course- it was amazing to see. It was such an experience to see first-hand the amazing work that is so vitally needed in the community there. I taught English and after school sports and arts club there and just loved hanging out with such clever kids- each and every one of them was such a character. From the minute I set foot in the Foundation's HQ in Léon I was welcomed with open arms into an organisation full of some of the most energetic, friendliest, engaging and inspiring people I have ever met. Every day was a blast there whether I was working in the community, learning Spanish, dancing salsa, going to 'quiz night' at the local bar in Léon, playing 'cerro escondido' (aka hide and seek) with the kids at the school or jamming with a Nica rock-band! I was only going to stay for 4 weeks and I ended up staying for 9 as I made so many friends for life. Had I have had more time I would have stayed longer as it was so hard to leave. La Isla Foundation is now a major part of my life and it changed me forever; knowing the amazing work they are doing and so hard they are working to get to the bottom of the CKDu epidemic and to be a part of it is more inspirational than anything I have ever done before. I would recommend La Isla Foundation to anyone wanting to make a difference; you will be welcomed with open arms.

I am an intern with La Isla Foundation doing public relations. It has been an amazing experience. La Isla is doing great work, and I am learning so much, and more than I could have ever hoped to. I joined as an independent study for university and it has been above and beyond what I expected of an internship. This is not just running errands, I have been doing a lot of work, and really made to feel as if I'm making a difference and helping the organization. This is an immensely important cause, and La Isla is working so hard to make changes, and it is so gratifying to see change happening, with the events and the welding school and with other projects. La Isla Foundation is a great nonprofit, and everyone should support them. -Jessica Bucklin, Public Relations Intern

I recently spent 5 weeks in Leon, Nicaragua. The original public health-related volunteer work that I had signed up for fell through. Luckily I stumbled upon La Isla Foundation, where I was warmly greeted the minute I walked in the door. I ended up working as a volunteer with their Public Health team for a month, which ended up being one of the highlights of my time in Nicaragua. The people I worked with at La Isla were fun, smart, and dedicated, and I gained valuable insight into the public health field. I also took part in various of their tours, took Spanish lessons at the foundation, and lived in their dormitory for my last week in Leon- All were very positive experiences!

Came down for a three month internship to fulfill a graduation requirement for my Public Health degree/CHES certification, I'm now on my 6th month with a plane ticket to return after the holidays! I can't speak more highly of this organization, anyone with the mildest interest in public health, human rights, international aid, or community development will find themselves totally changed by La Isla Foundation and the people of Guanacastal Sur, Nicaragua. A huge advance in professional development aside, my time with LIF has been integral in my young adulthood.