New Haven/León Sister City Project

608 Whitney Avenue
New Haven, CT 06511
ph: 203-562-1607
fax: 203-624-1683

Our Work in León

The primary work of the NH/LSCP in León is to support community organization initiatives in the rural community of Goyena, and to facilitate programs and projects that supplement the efforts of the formal education system. 

This work includes, but is not limited to:

  • Support for the preschool with capacity-building efforts for the local teachers, nutritional assistance for the students, and support for the school infrastructure. 
  • Facilitation of an after-school program for first, second, and third graders, with special emphasis on small-group work and attention to those with learning difficulties. 
  • Accompaniment of a youth leadership committee, and support of the group’s educational workshops and recreational activities. 
  • Support for young people (and their families) struggling for access to secondary school education. 
  • Organizational support for the parents’ council at the preschool, as well as for the board of directors of the community. 

In 2007, work in capacity building in Goyena and greater León was significantly strengthened by the addition of workshops for teacher training and business management skills, organized and conducted by students and faculty of Quinnipiac University

  • Projects Completed in 2007

    In addition to the sustained programs for leadership development, we support short-term infrastructure projects in the community as well, often with the material and human-power support of delegations.  In 2007, our investment in these projects was greater than ever.  The projects include:

    A water system for the grade school and preschool.  Constructed with by a Quinnipiac/Albert Schweitzer Institute delegation, the water system pipes potable water into a grade school and a preschool.  It also includes a septic tank for each school. 

    Finishing touches on the new preschool building.  Constructed by ViviendasLeon, the infrastructure of the preschool was finalized by the work a Yale Reach-Out delegation did on the fence around the school. 

    Roofs and foundations for homes.  A Hopkins/Amity High School delegation worked with four families, identified by the community, to put solid foundations and roofs on their homes, previously protected only with plastic tarps.  The necessity of run-off trenches in the ground as well as sturdier roofs was well-proved a few months later when the community suffered eighteen straight days of heavy rain. 

    A tree nursery.  A project initiated and maintained by the youth leadership committee of the community, the tree nursery was initiated with the help of a High School Agriculture delegation.  Seedlings were then cared for and sold by community youth. 

Delegations often bring donations of school supplies along when they travel to Nicaragua.  If you would like to contribute new or gently used materials, please contact nh@newhavenleon.org

New Haven/León Sister City Project

A progressive, binational, grassroots organization that fosters a relationship between the communities of Greater New Haven and León, Nicaragua


608 Whitney Avenue
New Haven, CT 06511
ph: 203-562-1607
fax: 203-624-1683