Por los niĂąos
Orange News N I C A R A G U A July/August 2019
Protection
World Vision Nicaragua has launched a campaign to promote parenting with tenderness In early August, World Vision Nicaragua launched a campaign intended to promote parenting with tenderness among parents and caregivers. The Communication and Protection campaign is aimed at proposing new parenting methods in order to foster love, listening, respect, and strengthen family bonds as well. It was also aimed at increasing awareness of physical and psychological violence levels, and degrading treatment at Latin American households with a view to deconstructing violent parenting practices grounded on inappropriate cultural patters. The campaign included several advertising panels and display videos strategically located in the most circulated streets and avenues at the national level. It also included digital publications in the organization’s official accounts. These actions were aimed at encouraging parents and caregivers to take a series of actions at the household level and as part of their daily life to promote both love and protection when upbringing children.
Por los niĂąos
Protection
Protection
Together with local churches, World Vision Nicaragua has contributed to protecting children
According to World Vision Nicaragua’s identity and Christian values, it regards churches and faith-based organizations as its preferred partners; thereby strengthening its relationship with Christian churches, regardless their catholic or evangelical nature in zones where it has a presence in order extend its coverage to protect both children and adolescents
From the Children and Adolescents Free from Violence protection program, World Vision Nicaragua donated 40 kits containing fun and learning, and educational materials to the headquarters of the Episcopal Conference in Managua city. Officers and members of the organization’s advisory board handed over these materials to priest Henry Silva. Donated materials included resources to implement the Paths of Protection and Tenderness and Godly Play methodologies. These materials will be part of the equipment to be provided to the Missionary Children Pastoral of dioceses located in Managua, Juigalpa, Chinandega, Matagalpa and Bluefields, as part of the partnership formed with the Pontifical Missionary Works in Managua. “Both donated materials and efforts jointly made with the church have contributed to protecting children and improving their spiritual nurturing. To this end, fun and learning tools have been used to facilitate the teaching-learning process; thus, providing key information on child protection,” stated Claudia Lopez, manager of the Children and Adolescents Free from Violence program implemented by World Vision Nicaragua.
A member of the advisory board and World Vision Nicaragua Child Protection program manager next to representatives of the Episcopal Conference in Nicaragua
CAPS representatives during the exchange
Safe Water
Members of San Rafael del Norte Safe Water and Sanitation Committee (CAPS in Spanish) sharing work experiences Over thirty representatives of CAPS located in five communities in San Rafael exchanged work experiences during two community training sessions provided by World Vision Nicaragua and Water for People. The purpose of these events was to identify the two CAPS that performed efficiently in terms of management and community services to share their experiences of overcoming challenges and launching initiatives to make CAPS sustainable, including equitable access of every community member to water. This exchange of experiences activity was conducted as a partnership agreement entered by World Vision Nicaragua and Water for People in March 2019. The Safe Water Program Several provided CAPS members with training on CAPS legal framework, including CAPS management, implementation, programming and sustainability as well. Once the training was completed, some changes related to water sources management and maintenance were made, including water purification techniques to make water safe for households.
“At the CAPS level, we are in charge of servicing the water supply system, and we also handle administrative tasks thereof. Furthermore, we are in charge of protecting water sources and make sure that they are properly used at the community level‌ during the year in which our committee has been in charge, we have managed to reduce arrears rates. Indeed, we installed a micro-metering system; thus, determining a reasonable payment in accordance with the actual water consumption,â€? stated Angel Silva, La Naranja CAPS president.
Safe Water
Palo Solo inaugurates its first safe water supply system. Both Palo Solo community, in La Concepción, Masaya and World Vision Nicaragua inaugurated the first safe water supply system that will provide both health and access to safe water for people in this region. This water supply system, with a 10,000-liter storage capacity, will serve 183 community members, including children, adolescents and the elderly. This project was conceived as part of World Vision Nicaragua’s Safe Water Program, which – during the three years that it has been implemented – linked both commitment and community leadership. Due to its geographic location, Palo Solo community showed several limitations to access to a safe water source. Its community members had to walk over three hours to reach a place where they extracted water from a basin that catches water filtering from hanging tree roots. In addition, the project included a training for youth on preventive and corrective maintenance of water supply systems to make them sustainable and to increase competencies of community members.
“I feel very glad with the project because now we will have safe water nearby our houses, and we will be able to use it to drink and cook. Previously, I had to take a 4-hour trip on foot together with my two girls to haul water,” offered Xiomara Guevara, a Palo Solo community member and project beneficiary as well.
Safe Water
World Vision – WASH USA is aware of the water deficit faced in Nicaragua Emily Matos, WASH Program Manager at World Vision USA visited several communities in Nicaragua served by WV Partnership to learn about their vulnerabilities to climate change, and access to safe water and sanitation. Matos visit lasted one week, and during her stay in the country she visited several communities located in the pacific and northern region in the country where World Vision Nicaragua is implementing the Safe Water Program, which is funded by WV USA. Similarly, Matos had the opportunity to interact with community leaders who are CAPS members, and with volunteers who participate in the Healthy Families, Schools and Communities (FECSA in Spanish) methodology, and with groups served by the Safe Water Program. During her visit, Ms. Matos learned about experiences of women and girls who have suffered hardship because there was no water in their homes, schools and communities either. World Vision WASH program is aimed at providing more children (boys and girls) and their families with access to safe water, safe spaces and sanitation at the community level to improve their living conditions and decrease child mortality rates and water-related diseases.
World Vision is a Christian, international, humanitarian organization focused on the well-being of children and the most vulnerable communities. It has been working in Nicaragua for 29 consecutive years, period during which it has launched sustainable development projects through programs in three key areas, specifically Child Protection, Education and Life Skills, and Water and Sanitation.
Emily A Matos -Program Manager, World Vision USA
From right to left: Rob Bell (El Porvenir), Maritza Hidalgo (INIFOM), Marcos Sandoval (Townhall of San Lorenzo), Silvio Gonzรกlez (World Vision).
Safe Water
Municipal government, Nicaraguan Institute for Municipal Development (INIFOM), El Porvenir and World Vision Nicaragua are committed towards San Lorenzo development In order to support the community development of San Lorenzo municipality in Boaco, the municipal government, INIFOM, El Porvenir and World Vision Nicaragua signed a joint partnership agreement. Under this partnership agreement, the aforementioned entities will have a positive impact on the water protection zones, and sanitation and hygiene practices of over 20 communities in San Lorenzo municipality. The expected results of this agreement include construction of 160 latrines, rehabilitation of two wells, community hygiene and sanitation education and three assessment studies on the need for water, sanitation and hygiene. After obtaining the results of the assessment studies to be conducted in San Lorenzo urban area, El ChagĂźite, and El Ă‘ambaro communities, a portfolio of projects aimed at managing funds and increasing the intervention level in these zones- will be developed. This partnership agreement will be valid until December 31st 2019.
World Vision Nicaragua through its Safe Water Program provides the most vulnerable children and communities around the country with access to clean water, and it has an impact on the adoption of appropriate hygiene practices, and it promotes good behaviors to ensure protection of the environment and water resources as well.
Oscar Chicas Director of World Vision Nicaragua
30 years
Central Note
A life at the service of the most vulnerable children In August, 2019, Oscar Chicas Oliva celebrated 30 years of continued work at the international Christian relief partnership, World Vision. Mr. Chicas asserted that for him “the most important thing has been contributing to transforming lives of people served by the organization… and supporting the training of new generations of community leaders under an ethical approach that has gone beyond the ministerial, organizational and political level”. Throughout all these years of service in World Vision partnership, Mr. Chicas has held different positions that have enabled him to influence the lives of thousands of children (boys and girls), adolescents, their families and communities. At World Vision partnership level, Mr. Chicas has upheld his conviction of service to other people, and he has strengthened his spiritual life through God’s call to “serve and support the most vulnerable populations”. In the last decade, Mr. Chicas has served as National Subdirector, Operations Director and National Director of World Vision Honduras, and since 2017 he has been working as National Director of World Vision Nicaragua.
Thank you, Mr., Chicas for being an example of service!
Some of his most outstanding achievements in Honduras, include formulation of public policies aimed at protecting the most vulnerable children among children, creation of child protection committees, and in Nicaragua he has contributed to improving the holistic well-being of children, strengthening of family bonds and fulfillment of children’s rights. Oscar Chicas stated that “World Vision has been a center for professional growth and learning,” and he also said that “World Vision Nicaragua has a so much to offer, and we can do it together”.
Testimony
“It is very sad to see thirsty school children unable to drink water in their schools” Merling, is a 11-year old girl. She is very charismatic, attentive, with a shy smile and a gentle look. She lives in a rural community in Nandaime, where the land looks like mud and stony paths make the journey more tiring. She is in sixth grade in a primary school that houses over 250 children aged between 3 -14 years old. You can sense in Merling a natural-born social commitment. She is supportive and cares about the most vulnerable ones. “It is a sad fact to see thirsty children unable to drink water inside the school,” Merling stated, referring to one of the major issues that affect her classmates, but particularly to preschool children. The community rural school that Merling attends has graduated lots of generations of students; however, it lacks the basic sanitation conditions to ensure access to safe water and sanitation for students. “Previously, there was only a trickle of water – referring to a faucet – and during the break period students had to form a long line to drink water. There were many times in which we returned to the classroom without drinking water,” Merling offered in a melancholy way. In addition, the latrines infrastructure was seriously damaged; consequently, there did not offer hygiene or privacy for students.
“There was a latrine with no door, and the other had lots of small holes… we always had to go accompanied by another girl who had to use her skirt to cover the other… it was awkward. I’d rather restrain myself until I arrived home to relieve myself… and children never used the latrines, they walked behind the school to relieve themselves,” Merling stated.
Testimony
Merling says that she felt very ashamed of using the latrine in her school, and she also felt very sad because her classmates did not have a place where to urinate and/or have a bowel movement. However, thanks to the intervention of the Safe Water Program the [sanitary] conditions in her schools have changed.
“To me the most significant change produced in my school after World Vision intervention is that nowadays we can drink safe water; we also have handwashing units where to tidy up. For the very first time, we have toilets, which are safer for preschool children. They also repaired the latrines” Merling gladly stated.
Safe Water is a program of World Vision Nicaragua that is promotes the improvement of sanitation infrastructures, including toilets, handwashing stations and water drinking points in schools so that children may have hygienic conditions to stay healthy. Similarly, it fosters good hygiene habits and personal hygiene through hygiene clubs formed at schools.
Since Merling’s school is equipped with water drinking points and safe toilets she enjoys even more attending school. Now, she arrives to her school confidently that she can drink safe water every time she needs it, and have a private and hygienic place where use the toilet.
Furthermore, the program conducted different activities intended to carry clean water to the most vulnerable communities and schools around the country. It also provides training on safe handling of water, and improvement of water quality through distribution of water purifying filters. Thanks to World Vision Nicaragua’s Safe Water program, nowadays the school where Merling and other students attend is equipped with a water storage tank that ensures permanent water access to their school, including five water drinking points, and toilets separated by sex.
“Now with handwashing stations and water drinking points we can wash our hands before eating, after using the toilet or latrine. Thanks to World Vision support, nowadays we have everything we need to tidy up and prevent any disease,” Merling offered. Merling is part of the 7,440 children benefited by the Safe Water program which in 2019 built/repaired water supply systems and water drinking points and other sanitation infrastructure in more than 28 schools located in the most vulnerable communities around the country. You can donate so that more children like Merling may have better sanitation conditions in their schools. Let’s donate to our Safe Water Program at https://bit. ly/2q2VqHe
World Vision is committed to children’s health As a result of the dengue epidemic alert declared by the Ministry of Health (MINSA) in August of this year, World Vision Nicaragua, in its role as humanitarian aid organization, launched an emergency response project. The main goal of this project, designed by World Vision Nicaragua and funded by StarFund, is to support and complement MINSA effort to raise people awareness of the extent of the disease, and prevent any contagion and spreading of the dengue-transmitting mosquito. The dengue epidemic alert response project will take 45 days, and it will benefit 54 communities in the municipalities of Jinotega and Matagalpa; specifically, 27 communities in Yalí and 27 in Esquipulas. This project was launched at the beginning of August, and to date one insecticide fog generators has been donated to the Ministry of Health municipal office in Esquipulas, Matagalpa, and another one was donated in Yalí, Jinotega. Similarly, 180 personal clean-up kits have been distributed; one in each community and school so that cleanup campaigns can be launched at both levels. Each Kit included: chlorine, a wheelbarrow, buckets, garbage bags, rakes and brooms.
Humanitarian emergencies
Preventive campaign
This project also included a communication and awareness raising campaign launched in the community, schools, and online. The purpose of the campaign was to prevent and eliminate mosquito-breeding sites.
On the internet, it includes a series of educational activities/materials, with tips on maintaining hygiene and environmental safety at the family, school and community level.
As part of this campaign, 540 community promoters received training on disease spreading-related topics, prevention and elimination of dengue vectors. They are in charge of making household visits and promoting community cleanup campaigns.
Likewise, it included measures to be adopted by family members, including children and adolescents, in case of any suspected case of dengue at home.
Martha Yaneth RodrĂguez, Senior Director of World Vision LACRO
The Latin American Compromise
World Vision Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office are committed to improving the well-being of Nicaraguan children. Martha Yaneth Rodriguez, Senior Director of World Vision Latin America and the Caribbean visited Nicaragua to learn more about the work made by the organization around the country and the contexts in which children from served communities live in. As part of her visit, she traveled to Posoltega and Malpaisillo, two municipalities where World Vision Nicaragua has a presence and implements several programs aimed at improving the comprehensive development of the most vulnerable children. Rodriguez had the opportunity to share with beneficiary children, adolescents, youth and parents, and learn about our programs and projects. Participants made the most of this space to share what they learned and thank the organization
for the assistance provided to them and their communities for over 20 years.familia beneficiarios de nuestros programas y proyectos, quienes aprovecharon el espacio para manifestar sus aprendizajes y agradecimiento con la organización por la ayuda brindada por más de 20 años para ellas, ellos y sus comunidades. Similarly, Martha Janeth also met directors of member organizations of the Global Movement for Children, Nicaragua Chapter, to reaffirm the commitment of the partnership with Nicaraguan children.
¡Thank you for your visit Martha Yaneth!
Leadership team - World Vision Nicaragua, Alongside Claudia Palucha.
Constant training
World Vision Nicaragua in a continuous training process Collaborators of different offices of World Vision Nicaragua participated in some workshops taught by female directors of the partnership at Latin American level. The objective of the workshops was to strengthen organizational capacities towards the holistic well-being of the most vulnerable children around the country. These 1-week long workshops were focused on strategic planning and strengthening of nonsponsorship/GAM funding projects. Claudia Palucha, Regional Director of the People and Culture Office of World Vision Nicaragua’s Northern Triangle led the “Orange Horizon”
training process about the 2020 strategic planning. Furthermore, she supported the launching of the first two competencies of the new competence framework of the partnership. Similarly, Liza Hernandez, Director at GAM hub for Central America and Mexico supported those aspects focused on strengthening of non-sponsorship proposals and efficient implementation of GAM projects. World Vision initiated operations in Nicaragua in 1989, and in 2018 it supported 250,000 people to improve their living conditions.
Volunteering
Volunteering that transforms lives Through the National Coordinating Office for Volunteers, and as part of the It Takes a World to End Violence against Children awareness raising campaign, World Vision Nicaragua has conducted several activities with the support of voluntary practitioners who are willing to make a difference in the life of children, adolescents and communities served by the different technical programs implemented by the organization.
More than C$70 in funds raised 18 voluntary practitioners conducted several fundraising activities for boys, girls and women who have survived sexual abuse and/or gender-based violence. These victims are seen in La Esperanza refuge which is managed by a partner organization, Movimiento de Mujeres Nidia White [Women’s Movement Nidia White]. Donations will be sent to the refuge located in Bilwi, Puerto Cabezas. Similarly, Raleigh Nicaragua raised funds for the refuge through a gender-based workshop, and a practical workshop on natural cosmetics. 30 people participated in these workshops and they provided both in-kind and monetary donations to secure a spot.
Volunteering
285 community volunteers
in the Regional Summit for Orange Volunteers The Sponsorship program together with the National Coordinating Office for Volunteers held four nationallevel summits to raise participants’ awareness of sponsorship work areas, training on the Horizon system, used to monitor children and the community volunteer management policy as well. During this event the Scouts Association of Nicaragua provided volunteers with training on ludo-pedagogical tools to promote new ways of working between volunteers and beneficiaries of target communities.
100 children sponsored by La Rerreynaga Area Program
Dental care campaign World Vision Nicaragua’s Sponsorship program together with UNAN-Leon School of Dentistry created a working partnership. 14 voluntary undergraduate students and two specialized dentists conducted dental procedures to improve sponsored children’s oral health. New partnership A new partnership was formed between World Vision Nicaragua’s National Coordinating Office for Volunteers and Operación Sonrisa de Nicaragua [Operation Smile of Nicaragua] to see children - supported by the organization – who needed special assistance to treat their conditions, specifically cleft lip and/or cleft palate. This partnership covered a comprehensive dental treatment, including pediatric dentistry, oral rehabilitation, otorhinolaryngology, speech therapy and early stimulation.
United States of America
Canada
Germany
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Taiwan
Thanks to the generous contribution of our support offices and their sponsors
we have benefited
39,249 450 children
communities in Nicaragua
Sponsorship
Learn more about World Vision’s work in Nicaragua. Help us transform children’s lifes.
Donate now: WorldVisionNic www.worldvision.org.ni Contact: Vittoria Peñalba - Sustainability Director vittoria_penalba@wvi.org