At our February 2009 meeting, Tom Vawter, Jim MacDonald, Nancy Zollers, and myself agreed to take the lead in trying to find a project for our February 2010 trip. The committee had begun to discuss our expectations, ideas and goals for our service project. As clean water had been a part of all our past projects and as it remains a top issue to improve health in Nicaragua as well as many other places in the world we wanted to continue to make it a part of any project. As one person in the congregation puts it...
"Union Church puts the agua in Nicaragua".
Our ideas and thoughts included:
Nicaragua Outreach Committee (NOC) should be intentional in seeking out a project and service work that has an underlying premise of “collaboration” amongst ourselves, our friends in San Juan del Sur, and those Nicaraguans who will be affected and benefitted by the project.
Every effort be made to include, involve, and enlist the San Juan del Sur “community” to achieve the service project’s goals.
The project should be one that tries to keep the idea of “sustainability” as one of the foremost goals, that is, one in which our work continues to sustain and improve the community and one that can be furthered and enhanced after we have returned home.
There is a hope that the trip fosters good and true engagement and learning with ourselves and the San Juan del Sur community.
The trip encourages and inspires intergenerational relationship both in our community and in San Juan del Sur.
Friends of Nicaragua:
In February and March, we were in touch with many of our friends who we hoped might have some ideas about possible service projects. We reached out to Kathy Knight, Jim Ryan, David Gullette from Newton Sister City, Jon Thompson from Brugger Foundation and Communidad Connect, Yadira Ponce the School Superintendant and Fidel Pavon. Each of our friends gave input on projects ideas and we thank them for all that they offered us.
After reviewing logistical issues, weighing the pro's and cons, feasibility and then presenting to the entire committee we voted to go forward with the project from Jon Thompson which was Las Escuela Azul y Blanco. (The Blue and White School)
Las Escuela Azul y Blanco
• It is a small three room school located on the far end of Las Delicias community, about 8 minutes from town.
• They have a well, but no pump to fill their tank (they have tank – not installed -- & a tower).
• By providing the pump we can provide water to 55 primary students, 15 preschool students, and 4 neighboring families. Benefit to approximately 90 people.
• Fencing for the parameter of the school grounds has already been purchased. They need help in the digging and installation of approximately 50-60 concrete posts, and the installation of the fence. The teachers are hopeful that the fence would provide additional security, to keep animals off the school grounds, and allow the school to plant a garden.
• They are in need of additional closet/storage space for school books, school supplies, dictionaries, and the like.
• The school could use a new coat of paint.
• The teachers are from the area, and they have told Jon that they believe that there would be plenty of community participation.
• Jon notes that the head of the school and the teachers are very strong and dedicated people who would be good advocates for the school, and for the work that we would be doing.
