Waves of Hope - This NGO was started by my Canadian friends Ben, Earl and Jamie about two years ago. I'm sure you have read about Coco Loco on this blog, the eco-friendly surf and yoga retreat where I go to surf. Their non-profit arm Wave of Hope helps support community development in the surrounding area. My main project is working with a group of women who make jewelry out of local shells and seeds. When I arrived the women were having a hard time getting along and consistently producing their product. So far I have advised them on marketing, accounting, quality control and business management. They have expanded their business via consignment to Leon, Chinandega and Managua. You can now find their jewelry on Facebook. It is their goal, as well as mine now, to help them export their product by the end of my service. I also recently held a women's leadership camp for four days with another Waves of Hope volunteer which was a real success. I am continually looking for ways to help out in this rural community.
Pro Mujer - This women's Microfinance Institution was originally started in Bolivia and since spread to 6 Central American countries. I partner with the Pro Mujer office here in Chinandega to provide one-on-one business advising to several micro loan recipients as well as hold trainings for large groups of women covering topics such as goal setting, saving and budgeting, accounting, client service and marketing. Right now I work with four small business owners on a one-on-one basis, but more to come in the following year.
Spreading North American Culture- Another goal of the Peace Corps is to spread and educate on North American culture. I meet weekly with a small group of students that take english from aprofessor I know out of her home. These students have the desire to study at a university outside of Nicargua and are going the extra mile to learn english at a proficient level. I come in once a week to talk about various intellectual subjects such as the internet, pop culture, music, religion and so on. We have also done yoga, no surprise huh?
A little something extra....
YOGA - I started teaching yoga, in spanish of course, at a local women's gym. They would only give me Monday mornings as yoga, as you can imagine, is not the most popular sport here in Nica, but I think it's growing on them. Yoga definitely exists here in Nica, but at the tourist level. I want to make sure that all Nicaraguans have access to something that makes them feel good. Monday mornings is just women, but I also teach a co-ed class to all ages on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. This has been one of the most rewarding experiences. My clients, and now friends, tell me constantly how good it makes them feel.
Equino Terapia - This is basically equestrian therapy for disabled children. A foundation in Chinandega has a free service where two doctors work with children with all types of disabilities from autism to cerebral palsy. Since riding horses has been a huge part of my life, I can give back by riding the horses with the children seated in front of me. This type of therapy works wonders for all children loosening up their joints and engaging muscles they don't usually use. These children are adorable and they remind me how lucky I am every time I see them.
Goals defined by Washington D.C.
Below are our roles as volunteers and the goals that our country director has set for us. There are two main over arching goals listed below and several projects that I am required to carry out as well as secondary projects of my choice.
Goal 1: Promoting entrepreneurship education and life skills
Youth will acquire the knowledge and skills to start and manage a successful business and/or develop the appropriate values and attitude that will increase their employability and leadership skills.
Objective 1: By 2012, volunteers and counter parts will have trained 18,750 youth at schools, vocational centers, and youth centers facilitate the Emprendedurismo curriculum in local schools in Entrepreneur curriculum. As a result, 15,000 young people will have acquired new knowledge and 9,375 skills in planning and managing a small business demonstrated by completing the entrepreneurship program and participating in local, regional, and national business plan competitions.
Objective 2: By 2012, volunteers and counterparts will advise or assist 25,000 youth in life skills training and vocational orientation. These activities will result in 12,500 youth demonstrating at least one life and employability skill and 1350 youth will participate in job internship, mentor program or scholarship programs.
Objective 3: By 2012, volunteers and counterparts will have trained 400 facilitators from 135 institutions how to effectively implement the entrepreneurship curriculum. As a result, 320 of these individuals will have acquired the knowledge and skills to implement the curriculum, 130 will have implemented sessions using a participatory methodology, and 15 of the institutions will have developed their capacity to implement the program or replicate the methodology.
Goal 2: Working with Small Business Owners, Organizations and Community groups. Business owners, organizations, and families will have increased their capacity to make their businesses more efficient and increase performance, including viable income generation activities, and facilitated career of business linkages for youth.
Objective 1: By 2012, volunteers and counterparts will have trained 1,300 individuals in basic business skills and income generation options. As a result 1,040 individuals will acquire knowledge, 750 the skills to implement, and 260 will apply at least two improved business strategies.
Objective 2: By 2012, volunteers and local counterparts will have trained 135 individuals from organizations promoting business development to improve their capacity to render services to small business owners. As a result, 104 of these individuals will demonstrate increased knowledge or skills in training and/or advising for small business owners, in PDM or organizational management, and 15 will apply this new knowledge.
Objective 3: By 2012, volunteers and counterparts will have facilitated linkages between business, community and national organizations(NGOs and public institutions) and youth education institutions or programs. As a result 780 business owners, university students, or organizations staff will have established connections and relationships to facilitate scholarships, internships, mentoring, job opportunities, or increased income through self-employment for young people.
