Hola mi amigos.
A Learning just outside of Managua shows some of it’s work.
Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners has been establishing learning centers in Nicaragua for more than 30 years. Nicaragua, like many undeveloped countries is a male dominated society where woman typically stay home. One technique to improve the standard of living is to empower women and establish them as wage earners. W/NP has been providing training to develop income generating skills while allowing women to remain in their homes and care for their families. With incomes being so low in general, even a few dollars a day can make a big difference to the standard of living.
This Learning Center, like so many others, is located in the living room of the sponsor.
Learning Centers are generally in a sponsors home and initially concentrated on sewing but has since broadened to include baking, carpentry, cosmetology and other vocational skills. A micro-lending program has been established that has enabled many of the participants to start a small business of their own. This is one great example of enabling local women to teach a skill that can sustain for a lifetime.
Clothes sized for 18 inch dolls are a popular export to the USA market. Sales of the cloths really took off after an appearance on “Sewing with Nancy”.
Nancy’s Corner – Partners of the Americas, Part 1 – WPT Video
Nancy’s Corner – Partners of the Americas, Part 2 – WPT Video
Chica Nica Doll Dresses is another site to visit to see or order these beautiful dresses designed to fit 18″ dolls. Purchases provide income to support the home and family. A worthwhile cause and a great product!
The Partnership provides assistance but it is the unique skills of local women that makes this program work. Thousands of Nicaraguans have been helped through these local Learning Centers.
This is a model of help/self-help that works. The key to success is local people managing and directing the learning center activities based on their needs with enabling resources provided by Wisconsin Nicaragua Partners. It is a prime example of helping people to help themselves which gives them a way of increasing self-esteem and improve their standard of living. This effort deserves your support.
Here is how to help:
- Learn more about W/NP Learning Centers
- Donate money or materials
- Better yet, sponsor or encourage your church or civic group to sponsor a W/NP Learning Center
- If you already have a relationship with a location in need, use the proven model utilized by W/NP to start your own learning center program
Tags: Learning Centers, Nicaragua
January 27, 2013 at 12:40 AM
http://www.chicanica.org is another site to visit to see or order these beautiful dresses designed to fit 18″ dolls. Purchases provide income to support the home and family. A worthwhile cause and a great product!