Meet Stories

Dear friends,
I’ve just returned from a whirlwind listening tour in Nicaragua.

Last week, our team visited the communities next up in our pipeline of prospective projects – 10 community meetings representing 5 thousand people. In 3 very long days, traveling in off-road vehicles to the beautiful countryside surrounding Rio Blanco, Matagalpa, we were welcomed with kindness, warmth, and hope for help with the same challenges expressed by all – the desperate need for safe water and functional schools.

We heard from parents who described how weather patterns are changing, dry spells are lasting longer, and water holes they have traditionally relied upon for water to drink, cook, and bathe are dry, forcing them and their children to walk further to find water.

We heard from children who showed us the water bottles they carry to school and talked about how they have to ration the water so it will last through the school day.

We heard from one impressively confident and articulate young boy (pictured below) who shared how challenging it is to focus in school when he is thirsty after the long walk to school. He has a small bottle he fills in a stream on his walk to school each day, but it doesn’t last the full day. He shared he doesn’t like drinking it because it tastes bad, and the water is particularly mucky in the rainy season, but it’s all he has.

We heard from teachers who showed us where the water pours into their classrooms when it rains, who spoke of how hard it is to keep the school clean when the floor turns to mud, and who showed us the holes in the ceiling tiles where the bats live.

We have been working in this region for 16 years, and while that progress has been life-changing for the 18 communities with completed projects, it was humbling to hear how many more are patiently waiting for help. We have 1 fundraiser a year to raise the funds to pay for projects next year. I write today to invite you to join us at ‘Cien Amigos 2023’, an inspiring evening where you can invite family and friends to join you in investing in these projects. Event details follow below, and I hope to see you there.

This work is only possible with your support. We are so grateful.

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Transforming Rural Nicaragua with Project Schoolhouse

Hi y’all! I’m Sara, and I have the privilege of serving as the organization’s President of the Board of Directors. I’ve been a longtime supporter of Project Schoolhouse, and formally joined as a board member in 2019. I had the chance to visit rural Nicaragua for the first time in September, and wanted to share my perspective from the recent trip!

Stepping off the plane, I was greeted with warm smiles and open arms by the passionate members of Project Schoolhouse’s Nicaragua team and our Austin-based Executive Director. The team’s dedication to the cause was palpable, and it was clear from the outset that this was a group of individuals committed to making a tangible difference in the lives of those they served.

Over the course of our trip, we visited about ten pipeline communities in the Rio Blanco region, each with its own unique story and set of challenges. These were places where clean water, proper sanitation, and quality education were not just luxuries, but pressing necessities for survival and prosperity.

We ventured from the town of Rio Blanco by truck to each of the rural communities over the course of three days. This included an overnight stay in Bilami, where a family of an active project graciously housed and fed our 6 person travel team on their large “finca” (farm, in Spanish).

In these communities, I had the privilege of meeting families who had spent generations without access to clean water, relying on contaminated sources that jeopardized their health and well-being. The children’s bright eyes and hopeful smiles, juxtaposed against the backdrop of their dilapidated schools, served as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for change.

In each of the communities, our team arrived with the promise to listen to voiced needs from the group of community representatives. Each representative’s pitch was individual, and they spoke of daily challenges unique to their local best-alternatives to clean water. While each conversation called out the challenges of the school and water infrastructure specific to that location, the themes and underlying root causes were 100% consistent: lack of access to clean water, sanitation systems, and suitable learning environments for the community’s children.

Over three intense days, our team navigated through the rugged terrain in off-road vehicles, weaving our way through the breathtaking landscapes. We were met with open arms and warm hearts, welcomed by a community united in their desire for a better future. In the faces of the thousands we met, we saw hope, and we understood the weight of the challenges they faced.

Project Schoolhouse, driven by a vision of empowerment and sustainable development, has already made significant strides in similar communities since it was first founded 16 years ago. In this trip I was able to witness that when the Nica team first meets with community leaders, team members such as Maria Inés (Project Coordinator), Manuel (Construction Manager), and Norma (Programs Coordinator), they take the time to accurately set expectations about what’s required of the beneficiaries. For example, while Project Schoolhouse brings the project management, materials, and construction expertise, the labor is donated by the community members. And in order for projects to be successful, community leaders are responsible for standing up a board to lead their neighbors through each step of the journey, and post-delivery. We have found that this level of ownership is critical to a successful project, and ensures the right level of knowledge and ownership of schools and water system maintenance long term.

Through this work, the Project Schoolhouse team and many supporters have seen firsthand the impact of clean water systems, providing families with a newfound sense of security and health. Sanitation systems had been implemented, transforming lives by preventing waterborne diseases and improving overall quality of life.

The schools, once mere shells of educational institutions, are now vibrant centers of learning. Renovated classrooms, equipped with necessities such as watertight roofing, flooring, and access to potable water for children throughout the day, promised a brighter future for the children who would one day lead these communities forward.

As our trip concluded, I couldn’t help but feel a renewed sense of purpose and determination. The annual fundraiser, Cien Amigos which translates to “100 Friends” in Spanish, loomed on the horizon, and I knew that the success of this event would be instrumental in continuing the momentum we had built.

In 2024, Project Schoolhouse aims to fund 2-3 projects that will further transform the lives of communities in rural Nicaragua. These projects will not only provide the basic necessities of clean water, sanitation, and education, but they will also pave the way for sustainable growth and self-reliance.

My journey with Project Schoolhouse in rural Nicaragua was a testament to the boundless potential of human compassion and dedication. Through concerted efforts and unwavering belief in the possibility of change, we can create a world where every individual has access to the most fundamental human rights: clean water, sanitation, and quality education.

As the date of Cien Amigos approaches, I invite you to join us in this noble endeavor. Together, we can be the driving force behind transformation, ensuring that more communities in Nicaragua and beyond have the opportunity to thrive.

For more details, go to the Cien Amigos Event Page!