Under Cane
2015
In Nicaragua, the average lifespan of men who harvest sugarcane is 49 years. At the root of these early deaths is an epidemic known as Chronic Kidney Disease of undetermined causes (CKDu). In the town of Chichigalpa, often called the “Island of Widows,” 1-in-3 men, mostly cane workers, have end-stage renal failure from this fatal occupational disease that is both a public health crisis and a social injustice. In Central America alone, over 20,000 sugarcane workers have died from CKDu in the past ten years.
Research on the subject of CKDu indicates that repeated dehydration, severe heat, and environmental toxins might play a huge part in the rising death toll among sugarcane workers. These clues need further investigation and increased media coverage to find solutions to this critical problem that exists in Nicaragua, elsewhere in Central America, and globally. From southern Mexico to Ecuador, Sri Lanka, India and other tropical/subtropical countries, battling CKDu is of global concern.
Cinematography | Ed Kashi & Jessey Dearing
Director & Photographer | Ed Kashi
Editor | Jessey Dearing
Colorist | Mallika Vora
Additional Filming | Tom Laffay & Chance Multimedia
Original Music | Leon Muhudinov
Additional Music | Elias Music
Special thanks to Katie Stark, Cristhian Velasequez, Indievoice Donors & the community of Chichigalpa and the families that opened their lives to us.
La Isla Foundation is a public health and policy NGO working at the intersection of public health and human rights to address a fatal epidemic of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among sugarcane workers in Latin America.
Pan American Health Organization is the world’s oldest international public health agency. It provides technical cooperation and mobilizes partnerships to improve health and quality of life in the countries of the Americas.
Solidaridad is an international civil society organization with more than 45 years of global experience in facilitating the development of socially responsible, ecologically sound, and profitable supply chains. Solidaridad works across 12 supply chains and operates through 10 regional offices on 5 continents.