We work in and around the small coastal community of Jiquilillo in northern Nicaragua. Jiquilillo is home to approximately 175 families who rely on the fishing industry as their main source of income. The people of Jiquilillo face many challenges: unemployment and a dependence on seasonal work, volatile and persistently low incomes, and a struggling education system. As a result, children are often expected to work in the home or find employment to contribute to the family income. Furthermore, although public education is free, the costs of uniforms, supplies, and transportation can be prohibitive. 

School Scholarships

To eliminate these financial obstacles to obtaining education, we have provided more than 100 scholarships to local primary and secondary school students over the past eight years. Scholarship students are chosen, in consultation with teachers and parents, by need and merit. Grades four and above are the most at-risk age group for dropping out of school and this year we began focusing our scholarships program on these students. 

The scholarship students receive a uniform, backpack, and all necessary materials at the beginning of the school year. Secondary school students also receive transportation costs. For each day the student attends school, we provide 10 Cordoba, equivalent to $.37 per day, or $1.85 per week for the round-trip transport to school, which is located eight kilometers away.

All scholarship students are required to attend school daily, participate in their classes, and complete all homework assignments. We also provide incentive for good grades: if the student has all grades above 85%, they are entitled to a new uniform and materials, should they need them, and a party celebrating their achievement.

With the help of donors, we were able to sponsor 20 students for the 2013 school year, 25 students for the 2014 year, and 22 in 2015. With your assistance, we hope not only to continue our sponsorship program, but grow the number of sponsored students. $45 will provide a local primary school student with a uniform and school supplies for the entire year, and $150 will send them to secondary school, including covering their bus transportation fees. 

School Assistance

The primary school in Jiquilillo and the nearest secondary school, Madre Teresa de Calcuta, are both underfunded and under-resourced. Classes at both schools are overcrowded. The students at Madre Teresa attend classes outside because the school doesn’t have enough rooms for their burgeoning student population. At the primary school, over 40 children in two different grades are often being taught in one classroom and under the guidance of one teacher. 

We believe a greater investment in the educational infrastructure can aid in positive educational development. We have conducted small-scale infrastructure projects with both schools in the past, including the installation and upgrade of electrical systems, digging wells, basic property maintenance, and installing latrines. This year the Ministry of Education (MINED) has requested our assistance in helping to construct additional classrooms at the Madre Teresa secondary school. With your help, we hope to raise enough funds to build one new classroom by the end of 2016. At the primary school, we also aim to replace desks and chairs, and build a playground so the children have a safe and fun place to play during recess.

All our infrastructure projects are conducted and carried out with local, skilled labor, under the supervision of local foremen and ourselves.

Other Ongoing Programs 

We run several other education-based programs, including an afterschool program called Kids Club, where children of Jiquilillo meet each weekday to play, do arts and crafts, engage in outdoor activities, and receive homework help. In 2012 a lending library was started and everyday the children bring home books to read to their families. Kids Club is now welcoming its second generation of kids who are eager to learn and play in a kind, engaging, and fun environment. We also offer English classes where local children and adults can learn this skill which can open up new opportunities. Secondary school children also participate in computer classes where we teach basic computer skills and how to conduct research on the internet. With your help, we can ensure we have enough teaching materials and supplies for another successful year.

About Us

Shana Falb is the President of the Board of Directors and Executive Director of Puentes de Esperanza. She holds a Masters in International Affairs/Sustainable Development and has been coordinating volunteers, projects, and community involvement in Jiquilillo for the past four years.

Nathan Yue has lived and worked in Nicaragua for 14 years, with 10+ years in Jiquilillo. He runs Rancho Esperanza, the hostel operating as a social enterprise in Jiquilillo and where many of the programs began. He serves on the Board of Directors as a present and guiding force of Puentes de Esperanza.

Funding

Our administrative costs are covered, in their entirety, by Rancho Esperanza, so we can be sure that 100% of your donation is being directly applied to the programs.