Back to Service ProjectsService Project: Suriname
Dan Peplow and Sarah Augustine have been working with the interior people of Suriname for over 5 years through their non-profit organization, Suriname Indigenous Health Fund (SIHF). They started working with the Maroon communities when Dan (an embassy eco-toxicology consultant) was told by government officials that the interior people had been tested for mercury poisoning related to gold mining, but they could not receive those test results. In response to this human rights injustice, Dan and Sarah rented a mercury analyzer, allowed community members to operate it and own the test results. Eventually, Dan and Sarah's efforts raised enough money ($30,000+) to buy an analyzer for the interior people to use. They expanded their work to include the indigenous Amerindian communities as well. SIHF is welcomed by the under-served interior communities, but the organization is meeting resistance from the government in the forms of veiled threats to Suriname nationals that will no longer collaborate in SIHF's efforts. Dan and Sarah continue to work with the interior communities through SIHF, and act in response to their requests publishing articles on their behalf, finding access to cleaner water supplies, and monitoring mercury levels in community members and their food sources.
Pictures from the Suriname Project
Working with SIHF, Jerry and Machelle Hartman are making a documentary that features the stories of the Maroon and Amerindian people. The tribes want the world to know about their existence and the threats (polluted water & food, land access & rights) they face in an era of global economic development.
January 2008 Mercury Analyzer Update
Dan and Sarah worked with Dr. M--- in the past, and had agreed to work with him in the future. They spent the last 2 years fundraising $30,000+ dollars to bring a mercury analyzer back to Suriname. The tentative plan was to place the analyzer in a lab that Dr. M--- used in Paramaribo. He could use it for his research, rent it out to interested parties, as long as he would provide free access to mercury analysis for all interior people (Maroons and Amerindians). It was an exciting opportunity especially since there is no other permanent mercury analyzer in the entire country of Suriname. In December 2007, Dan tried to meet with Dr. M--- and his partner several times, but the researchers continued to postpone or cancel meetings. Finally, Dan met with the researchers and he was told that they could not work with either Dan or Sarah. The 'Minister' (of Health or Environment, Industry & Labor, they can't definitively figure out which one) told Dr. M--- and his partner that they needed to be 'careful', and that they should not work with Dan or Sarah.
Currently, the analyzer is back in the states, at a local college near Yakima, WA (home of Dan and Sarah) until a more permanent plan in Suriname can be finalized. The interior people of Suriname will still have access to the analyzer and any results via mail-in testing. Hartman is also continuing work on the documentary most urgently funding is needed for translation of the footage.
What is Mercury Poisoning?
Mercury poisoning is an illusive, but documented disease in many countries, and people in Suriname suffer from its effects. The disease includes a multitude of symptoms with varying severity, including major birth defects, autism, pain, nervous system failure, and decreased mental capacity. Many of the people don't know why they are sick, while others do understand that they are being poisoned by the mining. Until more information can be documented regarding mercury levels in the water, animals and people of Suriname, the problem will continue to grow. There have only been two peer-reviewed articles connecting gold mining, mercury and negative health/environmental impacts in Suriname. One article was researched and written by Dr. Mohan, a local physician. The second was researched and written by Dan Peplow and Sarah Augustine. These three individuals (as well as others, we are sure) want to make this problem public knowledge, but are meeting resistance from the Suriname government and international development organizations.