Our goal is for Enrichment Centers in Nicaragua to stengthen local schools. In order to understand how, first we need to understand what some of the major challenges are to local schools in Nicaragua and how Enrich Missions is battling them.

Challenge: Lack of resources 

The standard public school system branch has very little in the way of resources. From teacher salaries to basic materials like pencils and notebooks almost nothing is provided. Students are required to purchase all materials, uniforms, books, and food. In a third world climate, where the majority of families live on less than $2 per day, dropping out of school to work is viewed as a better alternative.

Enrich it! We offer a daily, nutritious meal to students, keeping bellies full and kids healthy. (Want to give to the program? Click Here!) We want to work with parents to help provide needed school materials and uniforms. We want to come alongside the local school to install whiteboards, install wells (if needed) and supply desks and chairs.

[tweetthis url=”http://wp.me/p6kMKA-dt”]Enriching schools is how we end poverty in Nicaragua #iEnrich[/tweetthis]

Challenge: Overcrowding

A normal, public school classroom in Nicaragua can have anywhere from 40 to 80 children, and we’ve seen more! There is no policy for class size limitation. This creates a difficult study environment and ties up valuable teaching time.

Enrich it! We want to offer tutoring to kids that are struggling with a particular subject. We’re starting to work closely with teachers from the local school to find out which kids are falling behind and how we can help with tests and homework.

Challenge – Poor health

Due to poor water quality and low standard living conditions, many students don’t attend class simply because they are too sick.  Malnutrition is a reality that most families in the area are facing.

Enrich it! On top of hosting medical trips from the US that allow doctors and nurses to treat and provide medication for the community, Enrich Missions is installing water filters and stoves in problematic homes. The water filters filter out parasites and other biologicals, and the stoves dramatically reduce the amount of smoke entering the house during cooking. The stoves have the added benefit of being more efficient, resulting in a lower cost to operate.

With a nutritious and complete daily meal, many students are able to stay focused on their studies and have more success.

Challenge – Poor community involvement

Children who have no pride in their community will have a harder time in school. The feeling of never being more than their surroundings slowly becomes a way of life, and the desire to improve and become something greater dwindles.

Enrich it! 

Youth volunteer programs. By working directly with the local church, Enrich Missions will be able to engage the local school to help improve their own community. Programs like delivering food to the elderly, cleaning up trash in the street, and helping in construction projects engage youth and inspire a sense of pride and ownership.