Volunteers at Work:The Makings of Child Sponsorship

One of David and my projects during our volunteering here was to help develop a sponsorship program for the students of the computer vocational school with a dependence on La Chureca. The student’s dependency on the trash dump ranges from living there, working there, their parents working there, or any combination of the above. Nica HOPE charges a small monthly fee of about US$1.50 to adults and non-Chureca students to help ensure student commitment to the program. Fee-based services help program beneficiaries put value on the services they are receiving, as has been demonstrated through a variety of development projects world-wide . These fees do little, however, to actually cover the costs of running the computer center. All students under the age of 18 with a demontrated dependency on La Chureca receive a full scholarship to the school. A sponsorship program would allow individual sponsors to cover the per-student costs of teacher’s salaries, electricity, class materials, etc. that are necessary for each child to receive this valueable training in computers. For a relatively small contribution, a sponsor can help an individual child from the La Chureca community complete their computer education, which can serve them for their future job search, and keep them out of working in the trash.

David and I have had the great fortune of seeing the kids in action. They love computers and love learning. For the sponsorship program each student will have a profile and portrait to be given to their sponsor to know a little more about them. The teachers were gracious enough to afford us some of their class time to fill out their profiles which served as an exercise of the computer skills they are developing. They answered questions like “What is your favorite subject in school” and “What do you want to be when you grow up?” and “If you could have a superpower what would it be?”

I loved to see the kids excited to change the format of their profile and see them beam when they inserted the photo of themselves onto the page. The answers on their profile were endearing. My favorite response to the superpower question was “el poder de salvar el mundo”: the power to save the world.

I feel so fortunate to have been able to get to know these kids. They were very shy towards David and I at first but I feel I have really gotten to know some of the personalities here. Nica HOPE is an amazing organization that offers these children a safe haven from their harsh environment while teaching them a marketable skill. I am confident that once a sponsor sees these profiles they will help these children achieve the bright futures they deserve.

-Liz

Liz Haight
Nica HOPE intern
Wake Forest University

Cyber Café Opening

After spending two and a half weeks here at Nica HOPE, I am happy to announce that one of our main projects, turning the back room into a “ciber café” is finally near completion (thanks to a lot of help!). The idea behind the project is to have a long-term impact on the local economy that is both sustainable and progressive. The name of the project is “Cyber +” or “Cyber y más” (Cyber and more). The cyber café will offer internet, photocopies, black and white as well as color printing, scanning, computer repairs, and more.

Nica HOPE has had the major elements of a cyber café in place for some time now: four computers, a server system for cyber cafés that can monitor computer use, fans, and desks. What Liz, Scott, Gilmar, and I have been working on over the last few weeks is the interior and exterior design, the marketing, and advertising of the cyber café.

We painted the inside, decorated the walls with paintings from the La Chureca art program, painted the logo outside the building, installed a board for community members to post advertisements, announcements, etc., and searched out free tech posters for a vacant wall. We also commissioned Luis and Elizabeth, cousins who are both in the Chureca art program, to paint a mural on one wall of the cyber café’s interior.

We want the cyber café to promote to the humanitarian and social aspects of Nica HOPE, while maintaining the professionalism and advanced services of a cyber café. Indeed, as the cyber gets ready to open we are optimistic the business will reflect well on Nica HOPE’s commitment to sustainable development by providing a service that can help a community transform itself.

-David

David Wescott
Nica HOPE intern
Wake Forest University

A Visit from the Deacs

Hello! We are two new interns at Nica HOPE from Wake Forest University. We are just now finishing up our three weeks in Nicaragua as part of a university service learning program. We have been taking classes in sustainable development as well as Central American society. It's been an amazing experience and we would like to thank Deanna and everyone at Nica HOPE for making our time here so enjoyable and educational. We've experienced the many ways in which Nica HOPE is involved in helping the community of La Chureca; from helping out at the Acahualinca elementary school's feeding program to delivering food on the behalf of Fabretto to La Esperanza inside of La Chureca to sitting in on Nica HOPE's computer classes and jewelry making program. We feel very fortunate to be working with such an inspirational organization.

In addition to helping out where needed, we have been tackling two different projects, a sponsorship program and the opening of the cyber cafe. More on this soon.
¡Gracias por todo Nica HOPE!
-David and Liz

David Wescott
Liz Haight
Wake Forest University

Nica HOPE in full swing

Nica HOPE opened its doors to the community of the Managua City trash dump in February of 2008, bringing in a flood of students seeking opportunities in education and job training. Since then, it has been a whirlwind of activity, putting all our resources toward giving these youth the greatest opportunity possible to build a future for themselves apart from the trash.

The Nica HOPE Computer Training Institute has over 150 students, in 9 different classes, learning the basic computer skills that will open up future job opportunities in the capital of Nicaragua's growing economy. Many of the children have never even seen a computer before and come to class excited about this new world of information and communication. Introduction classes are a gateway to more advanced computer courses offered by the center and scholarships to other vocational training programs and further education.

Nica HOPE has also launched a jewelry-making vocational program targeted at girls who work in and around the trash dump community of La Chureca. In addition to developing their creativity and providing alternative activity to working in the trash, this program serves as a means of income-generation for the girls. The program is also teaching the girls about the business fundamentals of jewelry-making, so that each program graduate will have the capability to start her own mini beading-business to earn a living apart from the trash.

As part of its Chureca Schools Support Program, Nica HOPE facilitates the operation of the Feeding Program at the public primary school next to the trash dump, in partnership with Fabretto Children's Foundation and Austin Samaritans. The feeding center provides a full, nutritious lunch to over 600 children daily, increasing incentives for school attendance and improving overall health of the community. Nica HOPE also offers other support to the school to improve the learning environment and increase school attendance.

All of this and more has been made possible by the support of individuals like you, who have reached out to contribute in a desire to make a real difference in this community. Thanks so much for your support to enable the launch of these programs!

Deanna Ford
Director, Nica HOPE
Managua, Nicaragua

Gearing up for our Feb 2008 Launch!

It 's a new year and many exciting things are happening down here in Nicaragua with Nica HOPE! It's been extremely busy, as we're preparing for the launch of our programs to serve the community of the Managua city trash dump, known as La Chureca. With children working in the trash to make little more than $2 a day, our programs aim to provide education and job opportunities apart from the trash for these youth.

Pre-enrollment for our computer training institute attracted dozens of youth from the community, lining-up to reserve a spot in one of our computer courses. With 3 college-graduated computer education teachers, a Microsoft-certified curriculum, and over 50 computers provided through the Fabretto Children's Foundation, this program will provide real opportunities for jobs in Nicaragua's growing economy. In addition, the girls are buzzing about the jewelry-making class, which will offer a way to earn money through selling the crafts they make instead of working in the dump with their parents. Several bright young men have jumped at the opportunity to study auto-mechanics in our scholarship program, to learn a skill apart from the trash. It is such a joy to see their eager young faces, excited to expand their horizons and future job opportunities.

In addition, volunteer groups (of both Americans and Nicaraguans) have been painting the classrooms at the local elementary school, to brighten up the learning atmosphere for the returning students in February. It's amazing what a difference a colorful coat of paint can make to old, dingy classrooms! This is the same school that will be opening a new feeding center this year, through the joint efforts of Nica HOPE and the Fabretto Children's Foundation, thanks to the contributions of the Austin Samaritans, the Tin Roof Foundation, and Cross International.

All of this is made possible by the generosity of our supporters! I have the immense pleasure of seeing your contributions come to life down here. In these busy times... just wanted to write to say thank you thank you thank you for all your support, in all its forms!

Deanna Ford
Director, Nica HOPE
Managua, Nicaragua

www.nicahope.org

Give thanks and give back

This week we Americans celebrate Thanksgiving and all the good things that we have been blessed with in our lives, however little we actually deserve any of it. Hardly a day goes by in my time here in Nicaragua where I don't find myself humbled in thanks by all the opportunities, resources, and good things that have been given to me throughout my life. Among them: the privilege to be able to serve down here in this country that I love - the beautiful beach sunsets and ocean waves - the children whose lives I am allowed to enter - and the opportunity to really make a difference in a way that I really believe in.

One of those opportunities is a new partnership with Fabretto's Children Foundation, a well-established and highly respected non-profit providing much needed education reinforcement services in Nicaragua. With Fabretto, Nica HOPE will be launching a new computer training program in February 2008 to provide increased education and future job opportunities to children attending the 3 main schools that serves La Chureca and the surrounding community. It is opportunities such as these that we believe can provide real change in the future of these youth!

So while you are home with family and/or friends this Thanksgiving, I just ask that you take a moment to appreciate all that you have been given in your life - and consider giving back to some of the least privileged in a country that has found itself at the bottom of the economic ladder on this continent. Nicaragua is seeking to pull itself up after decades of political strife, civil war, and natural disasters that have destroyed the country and the economy that sustains it. The children here do not enjoy the same opportunities that most of us did as children. Please consider helping us to open up these doors of opportunity so that they may find hope in a future where their own efforts and hard work can bring them a better life.

Click here to donate to Nica HOPE here

Our work is made possible by your support!

Deanna Ford
Nica Hope - Director
Managua, Nicaragua

The big move

I can hardly believe that it’s been less than 2 weeks since I only arrived back here in Nicaragua - and this time, it's long term. So much that has taken place over these past days. Someone very dear to me advised me before I left not to waste any time to get started on the work down here.. that time can just slip away from you where valuable contributions could have be made. Well, so I took his advice and hit the ground running... and haven’t stopped since. Despite my initial jitters, I was maneuvering through the crazy craterland that is the Nica highways only in my 3rd day of driving of learning to drive a stick shift, in my new 4x4 diesel engine pickup truck that I got within a week of arriving here.

I caught a ride to la Chureca my first morning here, reconnecting with that place and those dear children and families who inhabit it.



That afternoon I was running through the dirt roads of Cedro Galan to reunite with my dear girls who I spent all last summer with, teaching for Manna Project International.




The following days were filled with Nica HOPE meetings, project brainstorming, and tours of programs of a well-established organization that we are working through the details of partnering with.


So much falling into place more perfectly than I could possibly have planned or expected them to, through no merit of my own. From an unexpected temporary super-convenient housing arrangement... to a brand new surfboard arriving for me in Nicaragua in a couple days… and, most importantly, to some incredible new opportunities for our organization to make a real difference here in a community that I care so deeply about: The Managua City Trash Dump Community of La Chureca.




We're currently working through the details of the launch of two new projects targeting La Chureca and a big fund-raising campaign along with it. The Chureca Schools Support Program will be working to strengthen the 3 main primary schools that are currently serving the trash dump community. The Chureca Vocational Outreach Program will be providing training in specific skills such as computer training and automechanics that will help given these children greater access to job opportunities upon completion of school. Job training and opportunities is exactly what the people of La Chureca have been needing and asking for. Our estimates so far show that $12 a month will put a student through our computer training program. $20 a month will get a child out of the trash and into school, bring provided with a nutritious snack, uniform, school supplies, household support, and regular family visits from a Nicaragua social worker. It doesn’t take much to make a difference here and help provide the opportunities to open doors in these lives. I hope you’ll consider making a financial contribution!

Donate to Nica HOPE

My favorite thing so far has been finding my dear boy Israel again and his family, who were so much of my original inspiration for starting Nica HOPE. Spending that day at their home in La Chureca with them last December caught my heart in such a way that I knew I couldn’t just walk away – but had to come back and do something. That dear family – Israel (now 6 years old) who wouldn’t let me put him down the whole Dia del Luz day and danced in my aching arms until the sun started to set – his younger brother Reynaldo who has caught the heart of many with his joyous innocence and affection – his darling sisters Juliette, Olondra, and Brittney – and now the newest baby. They have my heart now more than ever…


I hope they capture your heart, too, and will make you consider how you might be able to contribute - whether through Nica HOPE or another organization working to bring opportunity to the people of La Chureca.

Posted by: Deanna Ford - Director, Nica HOPE
Managua, Nicaragua