Pablo and I have been approached with the opportunity to help supply 26 first and second grade students with school supplies in a poor community outside Matagalpa. I know you're probably thinking, "Every community you talk about in Nicaragua is a poor community." While this is true, think of what you know to be poor, and think more poor. Early education isn't much of an option in the United States, but more of a mandatory thing. Even though primary education is free in Nicaragua, many students don't go, and especially if they don't have the means to buy school supplies. We were able to help out a family of kids last week with school supplies, otherwise they wouldn't have gone. More specifically outside of the cities in Nicaragua, education isn't as encouraged. It's pretty much a guarantee in some villages that if you're over the age of 10 you will be working in the fields, but that doesn't mean you can read or write.
The community leader for this school actually approached a nonprofit organization, before Pablo and I, working in a nearby community about the opportunity but were turned down. We're talking about somewhere between $200-$400 to ensure that 26 children get educated for the year. When it came to my education growing up my greatest concern was what car I was going to be allowed to drive, not whether or not we could afford school supplies. With only a few people donating $50 these kids will be taken care of, in a community where they would otherwise go without.
It's tough to describe in words sometimes the specifics of the need here in Nicaragua. It really does take faith to not be here and to support this ministry. I am tremendously blessed to be on this end of so many people's generosity and see many lives blessed by it. May God bless you all greatly!
Donations can be made through the paypal link on the right (which is fixed now) or through the Laurel Church of Christ, 714 E 5 St Laurel Mt 59044.
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