http://www.nuevasesperanzas.org/

I was a guest of a Nuevas Esperanzas a young and professional organisation serving poor communities in Nicaragua through projects which provide practical and technical assistance in support of long-term sustainable development. 

They have a team of national staff based in León, serving rural communities on the Pacific side of Nicaragua as well as a UK charitable trust which supports their work. The charity works in a number of sectors including agriculture, water, the environment, health and housing, following a model of holistic, transformational development which addresses material and spiritual needs in a culturally appropriate manner.

They aim to integrate innovation and technical excellence with good practice in development, always mindful of the complex web of economic, environmental, social and spiritual issues which conspire against those living in poverty.

 

I visited 3 schools in Nicaragua:

 Little Stars Preschool

 

Little stars pre school caters for over 80 children between the ages of 2 and 5. It was set up in October 2007 and is situated in the centre of Leon Nicaragua Central America.

The school is a rich vibrant place offering all aspects of the curriculum. It takes an integrated approach in its Teaching and Learning and particular emphasis is on learning through play, art, drama and music.

The main language is Spanish but the Pre School's Director Carel Teran Reyes hopes to become a bi-lingual school serving Leon. The children currently have daily English lessons. The school would love to hear from any other schools or play schools from outside Nicaragua and is happy to communicate in either English or Spanish.

The contact details for Little Stars Pre-School (or Pre-escolar Estrellitas in Spanish) are:

Director: Carel Terán Reyes E-mail: littlestarschool08@hotmail.com or  via info@nuevasesperanzas.org

El Ojochal del Liston Primary School

El Ojochal del Liston

 El Ojochal Primary School sits high up a mountain on the side of a Volcano. Until recently the schools and community were only accessible by horse back but in the last six months the charity http://www.nuevasesperanzas.org  has opened up a track road to the village. The track has been built by hand and is accessible only to a 4 by 4 vehicle. The four hour horse journey now takes approximatly an hour.

The primary school is very remote with little resources but an enthusiastic staff and students. 

Part of Nuevas Esperanzas work is to teach the community how to construct rainwater tanks to catch rainwater. A vital role as until now the children had to walk up to 4 hours a day to collect drinking water, now that the school has its own rainwater tank the children and adults in the village can focus on educational provision.

 

The school sits right in the heart of the village and is a focal part of the community.

It celebrates each year with a graduation ceremony for each group and this is proudly attended by all the villagers.  The school is very rustic in appearance, no walls, windows or doors but plans are afoot to develop both the schools infra structure and its educational resources as and when funding and assistance can be found.

If you would like to help this school in any way then please contact them via http://www.nuevasesperanzas.org/

  

El Ojochal del Liston

This is probably the smallest school that I have visited, it is housed in a small hut with a thatched roof, no bigger than 10 by 12 foot. The children here are aged between 2 and 5 years of age and are taught all aspects of the curriculum including literacy, numeracy, music and art.

The Teacher is by far the youngest teacher that I have met on my journey so far. She is 13 years old and Teaches in the school Monday - Friday, on Saturdays she travels to the nearest city, a 4 hour return journey to attend school and further her own schooling!

The children of  El Ojochal del Liston Elementary progress onto the primary school next door. The school day starts at 7am and finishes at 11.30 am allowing the children the 1 hour 30 mins it takes to walk to and from school to avoid the heat of the day.

A truly remarkable place dedicated to giving the young children of this community the best start possible given the circumstances. 

If you would like to offer any support o this developing school then please contact them via info@nuevasesperanzas.org