Hello! My name is Ashley Suarez, a third-year at Oberlin College and the Nicaragua Sister Partnership Committee Coordinator for 2 years now. In January, I will be leading a trip to Nicaragua with a delegation of students and need to raise as much money as possible to help make the trip financially accessible to students. Please consider donating and/or share this page to anyone you know and remember that any amount helps!
The Oberlin Student Cooperative Association (OSCA) at Oberlin College has maintained a relationship with the National Union of Farmers and Ranchers (UNAG) in San Juan de Limay, Nicaragua since 1992. Every year, OSCA votes to donate $5,000 to a revolving micro-credit loan program. The intent of the fund is to provide economic development opportunities for community members, especially women, to have agency over their investments and finances. This is the only feasible mode of credit available in the area.
Since 1997 OSCA has sent a delegation of 5 students to Limay in January. This is how the donated funds are securely delivered and allows for intentional communication between students, Limay residents, and the UNAG. Students spend 2 weeks in Limay in sub-communities of the town with host families who have received loans from the microloan fund. Students work on building relationships with their individual families and putting ideals of solidarity into practice. Many alumni have stayed in touch with their host families through letters, phone calls, or even return visits.
It is a PRIORITY for us to make the trip financially accesible! This trip is what has allowed our partnership to continue and anyone who is dedicated to investing in it’s growth should have the opportunity to participate. Help us support our delegation!
To find out more information on the Nicaragua Sister Partnership, please visit: http://oscanicsis.tumblr.com/
