Poetry Slam is a Slam Dunk!

“Ruben Dario!”  The quick response one can expect to hear from any Nicaraguan when asked who the country’s greatest poet is.

“ummm… Dr. Seuss?” A response you’d likely get from the same question to an American.  But why?

Poetry gets to the heart of what it means to be Nicaraguan.  At every level of school poems are read, learned, and performed by students.  Many can still recite some of their favorites years later including Enlace Project’s very own Yacarely Mairena who shared a poem with visiting SUNY Geneseo students during a class on poetry.

In keeping with this cultural tradition of poetry, Enlace Project English students worked for weeks on poems of their own to be presented at the first (annual?!) Enlace Project Poetry Slam on June 18^th.  In front of an audience of over 50 people as well as a panel of 5 judges, twelve students from both the primary and secondary level English classes showcased their works.  Poems embraced a wide variety of topics from the beauty of motherhood to emotional defenses of the environment. 

Amazed Geneseo students in attendance remarked that they couldn’t believe how expressive students were in a second language, with many readily admitting they didn’t feel capable of producing such strong poems themselves.  Such is the impact of poetry in Nicaragua where everyone is born with the heart of a poet. 

The remainder of the evening was spent enjoying all things quintessentially Nicaraguan for dinner (gallo pinto, plantains, and queso frito) and laughter filled conversation between Geneseo students and the aspiring poets.  Enlace Project is proud to help facilitate these types of intercultural exchange and will continue to embrace them as an important part of our mission.

Written by Patrick McCormick, 2015-16  Intern

 

From the Ashes: Ocotal Recovers from Forest Fire

In late May, tragedy struck the mountain community of Ocotal outside of El Sauce.  A fire set at a farm below the mountain, meant to clear a field, burned out of control consuming a large swath of the pine forest on the mountain.  Armed with only small amounts of water in portable packs and their farming tools, the men of the community fought the fire by collecting fuel into isolated spots, containing the burn and halting its progress.  Thanks to their efforts and the fortunate beginning of the rainy season, the fire was brought under control in two days.  The around the clock battle was more than just an attempt to protect the community, the forest also represents an important resource for Ocotal.

The pine forest is owned by the community’s patriarch, Don Mauricio, and is an important source of income for him and his family.  At first glance it might not be apparent how, but a closer look reveals that the trees have a secret; many of them are marked for logging.  If this doesn’t fit into your conventional view of sustainable development, tranquillo!  Like everything else in Ocotal, this project is aimed at maintaining a balance with the environment.

Six years ago, an action plan was put in place aimed at using the mountains natural supply of pinewood while preserving the environment and longevity of the forest.  The plan fits in with newer views on ecological preservation that indicate efforts to regulate any and all change to a forest may pose even greater risk than occasional natural disaster like forest fires.  More simply, by removing trees at a sustainable rate, the community is providing a safer alternative to natural forest fires and creating a positive economic impact at the same time.

Students tour the damaged section of the pine forest.

For visitors to Ocotal, a walk into the forest offers a perspective on how fragile the balance they strike can be at times.  The stark difference between tall and proud trees growing in most of the forest and the burned area is startling.  The trees killed by the fire are unusable and they will not be replaced quickly.  Yet, there is reason for optimism as community leader Gustavo Martinez-Martinez pointed out to a recent group of students.  Among dead pine needles on the ground are small specs of green: new trees.  Thirty years from now, he says, they will replace their dead parents, providing an important resource for Ocotal.

 Written by Patrick McCormick, 2015-16 Intern

Meet Our New 2015-16 Intern: Patrick McCormick

Pat is a 2015 graduate of SUNY Geneseo and earned a BA in Political Science. While at Geneseo, he was President of Enlace Project Geneseo club on campus and helped fundraise for Enlace Project as well as promote the study abroad opportunities to El Sauce that Geneseo offers.

During his time with Enlace Project, Pat will help us connect with more US based partners, run our marketing, and continue to develop the English program. Along the way, Pat hopes to hone his Spanish and his understanding of Nicaraguan culture.  Recently we had a chance to chat with him about his plans for the internship.

Q: What made you want to work with Enlace Project?

A: For me Enlace Project offers me the chance to work with an organization that has a unique and important development strategy.  Too many well-intentioned NGOs end up in creating a dependency trap that actually hurts the people they are trying to help.  Our model focuses on teaching people skills and building the human capital to make people independently capable of improving their own lives.  And obviously my previous time in El Sauce played a huge role in me applying for the internship.  As a student I made meaningful connections with my host-family and the people here over the course of two months that I get to keep strengthening and growing today.

Q: Do you have any favorite Nicaraguan food?

A:  I love all of the fresh juices you get to have here, really makes Tropicana look bad.  For me though, plantains, especially “maduro,” are an absolute must eat.  You can never go wrong with gallo pinto though.

Q: What are your goals for your time here?

A:  I want to strengthen our connections to our partners in the United States.  Many of our supporters and partners would love to be more involved and I want to make sure that we create opportunities for that to happen.  I will be reaching out to groups we’ve worked with in the past, as well as to new groups in the coming months to explore what those opportunities will look like and how to make them a reality.

If you are interested in learning more about working with Enlace Project or just have questions and want to contact Pat, email him at mccormickp19043@gmail.com.

A STRONG LINK PROVIDES FOR A STRONG CHAIN

Some of Enlace Projects’ greatest successes are our academic trips study abroad programs. These atypical courses combine traditional classroom studies with hands-on activities that provide the students with an energetic learning environment. Professors of supporting institutions run classroom instructions via the connecting of Nicaraguan life and history with the standard curriculum required by the home university. This tangible nexus provides the students with a realistic firsthand understanding of the cultural norms of the country and the many ways in which one can learn about their own culture when studying abroad in another.

The month of June was a busy yet successful month of activities for Enlace Project. SUNY Geneseo held two effective study abroad classes here in Nicaragua; Humanities II, taught by professors, Glenn McClure, Dr. Kyle Matthews, and Dr. Jenifer Guzman, and Comparative Sustainability taught by Dr. Kristina Hannam.

Students experienced weeks of both, in class lessons, as well as hands-on immersion leaning through field studies. Both groups were able to travel to various parts of the country experiencing what is Nicaraguan life. Cultural comparisons and observations through experiencing local family homestays, visiting the Enlace Project English School and participating in their activities, and interaction with native Nicaraguans from  both rural, and urban settings, help complete the program and draw a new dynamic to the material covered in the course.

Enlace Project is proud of all of the students who participated in these classes and on behalf of all our staff we wish them the best of luck with the rest of their college careers. 

Written by Bethany Nelson - 2015 Intern 

Update: Casa de Zinc School in the community of San Cayetano

         On May 20^th Enlace Project staff members Bethany Nelson, and Enrique Corrales, visited the site of the Casa de Zinc schoolhouse that was built last year with the participation of Enlace Project and volunteers from New York.  It was a great opportunity to see the educational progress the community is making in the rural area of San Cayetano.

            The school director couldn’t express enough, her gratitude and appreciation for the school and the supplies that have bettered the education of the local youth tenfold. She shared with us that as professors there is nothing more rewarding for them than to be able to provide more for their students and to witness the positive changes they have over the course of the last year.  

            The academic performance and interest in studying, by part of the students, as well as the enrollment percentages have seen a steady increase since the building was completed. The headcounts have gone from around 21 to almost 30 students in the primary level, and from about 5 to 11 in the preschool. The professors believe that the schoolhouse speaks for itself as an attraction for the students to want to attend classes. Student’s punctuality, attendance, participation and development have been some of the best things the teachers have taken from the experience of receiving the new school. As teachers, they see the space and the security of the building as a big help to better the ability to manage a multi-grade classroom.

            The space that was once lacking now provides her with the ability to separate the different age groups and hold classes with helper students who lead the group through lessons. The students now don’t have to worry about pre-existing issues such as insects and small reptiles falling from the ceiling, or the weather affecting the dirt floors that once served as the base of the schoolhouse. Aside from the building and its sturdy floor, the community is appreciative beyond words for the materials that were donated to the school. The teacher’s desk, the bookshelf, and the books daily make life at the school easier.

            The teachers aren’t the only ones who have felt the positive changes of the project however, the students have too, and they proudly shared with us with more than just their words how much they love their school. Upon arrival the students welcomed us with a large hello and lots of smiles. They shared their excitement to be able to show us how they study and learn. 

            Fifth grader Jaosca, told us that she feels comfortable in the new school because “before [they] studied in their homes and it never felt like school. Now when [we] come to class, we can safely study happily with our friends.” Twelve year old Angel saying “I love Mathematics, but I would probably not like it as much if I couldn’t come here to study with my teachers and classmates.”  Elven year old Angie shared in the beliefs of her classmates and told us that because of her experience with the new school she now aspires to one day return to teach elementary education.

            Without a doubt the community is benefiting from the construction of the school house and on their behalf they are very grateful and appreciative for this gift that keeps on giving.  Education starts in our schools but has no end; learning happens every day in every way.

 --Written by: Bethany Nelson, 2015 Intern 

Community Impact: ULDESA Cooperative

“The secret of change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”     

                              - Socrates 

                                                            

On May 14, 2015 Enlace Project took part in an inauguration celebration of the ULDESA (Unión de Productores Lecheros de El Sauce) cooperative’s new site, located in the km 3 road El Sauce Achuapa. Created in 2009, the cooperative is a great representation of the age old concept “hard work pays off.”

Brenda López shares an emotional tale of the cooperative's history 

With a long history of struggle and persistence the cooperative name has come to be recognized throughout the municipality of El Sauce. It´s current president, Martha López, is a strong, driven young entrepreneur who follows the steps of her mother, Brenda López, founder of the cooperative, with the same passion and drive to fight for the farmers’ rights and opportunities.

Now with 19 members, most of which are women, the cooperative looks to the future with optimism and aspiration for better tomorrow. The men and women work to not only produce milk for the people of El Sauce but they support the local dairy farmers by gathering milk from different farms and selling the milk to factories like Parmalat, Centrolac and La Perfecta.

 Martha López gives an inspiration speech

ULDESA is very interested in working with Enlace Project because they understand the value in planning and direction building for the reaching of their objectives.  The Enlace Project Entrepreneurial Development Program will be working with the cooperative to provide them with oriented trainings and educational workshops.

The celebration of the new building was a successful display of the past, present, and future of the cooperative. Invited guests heard the powerful words of Brenda López as she shared a historical recap of the cooperative’s journey to today. Martha López spoke proudly of the strength the men and women have and encouraged members to continue working hard.  Presentations of traditional dance and song performed by young family members of the cooperative brought the event to a close with a sense of hope and happiness for the upcoming years. 

-- Written by: Bethany Nelson , 2015 Intern 

Educational Strides

From the opening of its doors in 2009, the Enlace Project English School has undergone many stages of developmental growth. This year has been no exception. With the change in professors at the beginning of the year the English program team decided to take a closer look at our goals and expectations for our students.

Ronald receives English help from Intern Bethany Nelson

While still maintaining the same methodology, our staff has added some minor yet constructive additions to the course. Such as a new evaluation system that monthly indicates to both the teacher and student where their strengths and weaknesses are. In a short meeting during the last week of each month, the teacher is able to better communicate and guide the students to reaching their goals for the upcoming month.  This is proving to be very productive and rewarding. The confidence level of the students is rising as well as the participation in classes.

Of course when learning happens so do rewards. Good job Ronald!

With rising interest in English classes in the city of El Sauce, Enlace Project English School is seeing a rise in the number of students registering each month.  With larger classes the English staff created a tutoring schedule where students can visit the school during select hours of the week to receive more personalized help. This too is proving to be very effective and students are benefiting from the sessions.

The English program has also been reaching out to the community, promoting our classes and informing local businesses and institutions the importance of having a bilingual staff. We are looking forward to the potential addition of a more technical based English course that will help the El Sauce working class learn speech associated to their field of work. Enlace Project values education and we are excited to see so many local community members taking advantage of their ability to learn a second language. We hopeful that our progress will continue advance and grow. 

---- Written by: Bethany Nelson, 2015 Intern