Our speaker for February 9 - PDG Jan Lindsay

Jan Lindsay gave our program today, which was a review of our work in Nicaragua, focusing on what we’ve learned about helping alleviate poverty.

He began by showing slides of what poverty looks like.  Poverty includes being voiceless, powerless, and lacking money. 

One of our first projects in Nicaragua was reforestation project.  Shade grown coffee trees were planted in 2002-’03 in order to provide a source of income to the people.

Jan showed photos of some children from that period. He then showed us told us where they are today.  One of those children, Rimero, is now in his 3rd year of college studying engineering.  We are paying the total cost of university education for several students.  In addition, our former exchange student, Indiana Altamirano, has graduated from college and law school and is now GoCare’s staff attorney.

The Education Model is extremely important, because education

     ·         cannot be taken, sold, stolen or given away
     ·         is empowering
     ·         results in societal change.

Jan spoke of the problem of simply giving things.  Often what is given is not sustainable.  Our Club has made the mistake of simply giving things in the past, but now we’re focusing on sustainable projects.  Once you educate a parent, for instance, they instill this emphasis on their children, so education tends to continue in the family.  That’s where things fit in.  We have provided a preschool and paid for the teachers.  We have also built a community meeting facility which includes a library.   We have acquired textbooks for the students as well as tables and chairs for them to study.  Over 350 people outside our direct programs used this building.

A number of vocational training programs are set up to teach computer repair, sewing, baking, and beauticians.  An adult reading program has been established, where currently adults read to 134 children.  In addition, a microcredit program assists small family businesses grow, by enabling them to add another sewing machine, or increase their inventory, or otherwise increase their businesses.

Jan showed a list of programs offered and the enrollment or use of each the last few years, and told what was expected in the next few years.  The programs are growing, and more challenges lie ahead, especially in the village where people literally live in a dump. 

Thank you, Jan, for your presentation on the work Rotary Club of Ventura East has initiated in Nicaragua.

Rocky Ludes