Our speaker for October 25 - Jan Lindsay & Jordan Eller

Club members, Jan Lindsay and Jordan Eller, gave a presentation on the great work being done by GoCare in Nicaragua.  Jan is the CEO and cofounder of GoCare, and Jordan is a Board Member.  They, along with several others, traveled to Nicaragua in August 2012, to view the work being done and progress being made.

GoCare is a United States charitable organization that is incorporated in California.  Its mission is to eliminate extreme poverty through education.  Throughout the world, there are 2.4 billion impoverished people representing 40% of the world’s population.  Although trillions of dollars have been spent in an effort to eradicate poverty, most efforts have had only short term results.

There are two primary ways of assisting those in poverty.  First, things can be gifted to the impoverished such as water wells, medicine, buildings, etc.  This method results in the impoverished being dependent upon the developed world for continued gifts.  The second method focuses on educating the impoverished so that they can help themselves.  GoCare believes that education is the key to long lasting change.

GoCare has educational programs in many subjects including English, baking, sewing, beauty school, preschool, computers, reading, and adult education.  Approximately 860 students have graduated from GoCare programs.  Currently, there are 69 students studying English, 37 children in preschool, and dozens utilizing the services at the community center. 

GoCare operates with an annual budget of $250,000.  It costs $237 per year per student for the preschool program, $126 per year per student for the English program, and $60 per day to operate the community center.  The Rotary Club of Ventura East donates $600 per month to GoCare.  Individuals may make contributions on the GoCare website at www.gocarekids.org.

Thank you Jan and Jordan for updating the Club on the life changing work being done by GoCare in Nicaragua.

Deborah A. Perkins