ATTENTION: In accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Education and the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, this program is temporarily suspended due to the pandemic. CISeAL will not receive applications from new students until regular academic activities are re-established or until further notice from the University Emergency Committee.
During this program, students from around the world experience how CISeAL uses scientific research and local expertise to control Chagas disease, a preventable infectious disease, whose neglect has resulted in the infection of over 7 million people around the world. Students taking part in this program will be able to participate in the development of sustainable solutions for Chagas disease through the Healthy Living Initiative. Here at CISeAL, we believe that sharing goals is key to success, which is why we apply the following to all of our projects:
Improvement of infrastructure- Promotion of healthy living practices
- Enhancement of income generation
The most important task is encouraging community-based activities that allow for the improvement of environments prone to infection by the “kissing-bug”, which act as vectors for Chagas disease. Specific projects vary according to community needs and resource availability, but the following tasks are usually carried out:
Entomological surveys- Living surveys and infrastructure assessments
- Parasitological research
- Assessment of knowledge regarding Chagas disease and mosquito-transmitted diseases (dengue, zika, chikungunya, malaria)
- Fostering of home-delivery healthcare
- Building houses that prevent insect infection (“anti-chagas” houses)
- Community education at elementary schools and for adults
- Environmental assessments
Students take part in service and research activities. All participants will learn about different models and philosophies of learning through service, participate in routine group reflections, and contribute to the creation of conditions that prevent and control Chagas disease, and foster wellbeing.
Eligibility: Higher-education students (undergraduate and graduate from different backgrounds), professionals, and community members interested in global research about health, development, and education; people interested in service-learning; people interested in improving their Spanish skills.
For more information about how to enroll in one of our training programs, contact us: ciseal@puce.edu.ec
