Valencia United Methodist Church would love some simple help from AEA with one of their mission projects for children in Nicaragua. Students can earn a maximum of 1 hour for this opportunity.
Instructions: 1) Purchase suggested items: Glue sticks Water Color Paint Sets Pencils Manual pencil sharpeners 2) Include a handwritten note in English and Spanish (can use on-line translator to help); does not have to be long. 3) Drop off items (in a large ziplock bag or other bag) to office at Valencia United Methodist Church between the hours of 9-4 from November 11-18th. Bring your community service form to be signed by someone in the office. Address: 25718 McBean Pkwy, Valencia, California 91355 4) Questions: Contact Karyn Malchus (661)255-1301 |
A little history:
Project Chacocente is a small village of families who used to live in the garbagedump of Managua, Nicaragua. Over the past six years, they have been learning the life skills necessary to be self-sufficient. At the city dump thousands of people scavenge for food along with vultures and stray dogs. Many of the children suffer from lead poisoning, parasites and malnutrition and if they aren’t careful will be crushed by the fast moving garbage trucks. Project Chacocente is located in rural Masaya where the clean air and fertile soil are the perfect place for the families to heal their bodies and learn life changing skills. The families sign a contract to participate in the program for five years and when they graduate they will receive the house that they built and two acres of land. Becoming literate is mandatory and all of the adults attempt to graduate from sixth grade and many go on to high school or vocational training. The adults learn construction and farming skills and each family opens a small business before they go out on their own. In addition, the women learn how to make crafts for the increasing tourist trade. Nicaragua is the second poorest country in Latin America. Fifty percent of the population lives in extreme poverty which means that they don’t know if they’ll have any food today. Project Chacocente is dedicated to helping the families change their lives so that they can be a part of society again and help change the cycle of poverty. |