Andean Poverty Lab
Caring for those in need in Bolivia.
Our mission is to explore and develop innovative solutions to the most pressing poverty-related issues in the Andean region, aiming to enhance the quality of life for those in need. We strive to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick, and administer relief. Our current focus is actively researching how the drying of Lake Poopó and the overall quality and quantity of available water resources are impacting vulnerable communities in the Bolivian Altiplano.
The Problem
The first step to solving a problem is deeply understanding the problem. In June 2024, lab members Catherine and Isaac shared their updates and research defining the problems.
Welcome to Our Lab
Currently, the lab's primary initiative centers around understanding and mitigating the impact of water scarcity in Bolivia, particularly focusing on Lake Poopó and its surrounding communities. Lake Poopó, a crucial resource for indigenous populations like the Uru people, has been severely affected by environmental changes, including droughts and increased evaporation rates. These changes threaten local livelihoods that rely heavily on agriculture and traditional practices tied to the lake ecosystem.
The lab utilizes a multidisciplinary approach, integrating research from satellite data and academic sources with on-the-ground insights gathered from local NGOs and community members. Their efforts not only aim to quantify and understand the water quantity and quality issues but also address broader socio-economic challenges exacerbated by environmental degradation. Key stakeholders include governmental agencies, international organizations, local NGOs, and academic institutions, all collaborating to find sustainable solutions.
Moving forward, the lab plans to deepen its engagement with local communities, building partnerships to validate their research findings and co-develop effective strategies for sustainable development. This approach underscores their commitment to making a tangible impact by bridging academic knowledge with grassroots initiatives, ultimately aiming to improve the resilience and well-being of vulnerable populations in the Andean region.
Research and Design Phase
Currently, we are deeply immersed in the research and design phase of our work. Through extensive secondary and primary research, we strive to understand the multifaceted nature of poverty in the Andean Region. This comprehensive research will guide us as we transition into the design phase, where we will create new, effective interventions tailored to the needs we have identified.
Meet the Team
Franz (Director): With extensive experience working with MIT and government organizations in disaster response, Franz provides strategic direction for our lab.
Catherine Curzon: (Lab Lead) As a student of Sociology and Global & Community Impact, Catherine brings team efforts together to create a holistic view of poverty as experienced by vulnerable communities in Bolivia.
Elise Snyder: (Lab Lead) Studying Communication and Business, Elise leads strategic efforts to direct the lab towards alleviating complex poverty issues.
Carola Gomila Bravo: (Lab Assistant) Studying Psychology and Human Experience, Carola is dedicated to thorough data collection and analysis of the impact that water resources management in the Andean Region has on rural communities.
Isaac Pais: (Lab Assistant) Isaac, a student of International Relations, leads team efforts in establishing partnerships with key organizations actively addressing community needs on the ground.
Danielle Saunders: (Lab Assistant) Studying Public Administration, Danielle contributes to the lab's understanding of governmental frameworks and policies.
Key Events
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• Met with several NGO’s and researchers who are working directly with water related issues in Bolivia
• Identified & reached out to other key players including government officials, mining companies, agricultural companies, and indigenous representatives.
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• Researched water resources management issues in Bolivia.
o Including studying the water quality and quantity in the region
• Studied the TDPS (Titicaca, Desaguadero, Poopo, Salar) system.
• Identified key players involved with Bolivian water management.
• Organized and began writing papers on our lab’s current focus: water resources along the TDPS system & their impact on rural and indigenous communities
• Synthesized secondary research
• Created graphs and charts related to research findings
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• Organized an activity with students from the Andean Student Association.
o Learned their perspectives on water issues in the Andean Region.
o Gained proximity to the issue through the student’s lived experience.
• Met virtually with several researchers studying Lake Poopó.
o Learned that water management plays a big part in the drying of Lake Poopó.
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• Focused our research on the causes behind Lake Poopo drying up.
• Built our research library with peer reviewed articles and news articles that explained the issues around Lake Poopo.
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• Created weekly activities to get student participation in our lab.
• Students made issue maps focusing on the problems Uru communities face in Bolivia
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• Several professors recommended that we choose a population before deciding on what issue to address.
• We researched rural vs urban populations.
• Researched indigenous populations in Bolivia and Peru.
• Focused on Uru population in Bolivia, created issue maps, ecosystem maps.
• Researched women and children in Bolivia.
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We created several documents about malnutrition.
Decided to focus on malnutrition in Bolivia for a couple months.
Reasons for focusing on malnutrition in Bolivia:
o Bolivia is one of the most malnourished countries in South America
o LDS church has issued malnutrition as one of its’ top priorities
o LDS Area Presidency in Andean Region has specific goals to address malnutrition
o Bolivia is one of the least visited countries for humanitarian and aid groups
o Bolivia is currently experiencing high political stability
o Former team member had personal connections to Bolivia
o Several BYU professors are addressing nutrition in the region
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• We met with several professors on campus, and organizations around the world who are addressing poverty related issues in the Andean Region to understand best practices & what they are focusing on.
• Some connections included: Poverty Stoplight, Bountiful Children’s Foundation, Professor Jeff Glenn, Professor Ben Crookston, Ashoka fellows, Help Bolivia, Aliados, local LDS church representatives etc.
• We learned that the LDS church’s mission for the South American region was to help malnourished mothers and children.
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• We recognized poverty is a monolith issue, the MPI (Multidimensional Poverty Index) is used by the UN and several other organizations to better understand what contributes to poverty.
• Researched each dimension of poverty in each country in the Andean Region (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia) to better understand the issue.
• We also studied these dimensions of poverty as related to the UN SDG’s.
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Created our team charter to structure our lab, it includes roles and expectations of teammates as well as our mission and vision.
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Started as an initiative by BYU International VP Renata Forste to connect professors & students who are addressing poverty-related issues through research and interventions in the Andean Region