New Haven/León Sister City Project

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:  

• Support for the community 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, and training for teachers.   

• 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. 

• Support for local facilitators of adult literacy groups 

Projects Completed in 2008

In addition to the sustained programs for leadership development, we support short-term infrastructure projects in the community of Goyena.  These projects are often completed with the resources of groups from New Haven, the expertise of professionals from León, and the organization and efforts of community leadership in Goyena.  Projects completed or underway in 2008 include:

A Water System for a Grade School and Health Clinic.  Constructed with funds from South Congregational Church in Middletown, CT; and a combination of efforts by community members and a delegation from Hopkins High School in New Haven, CT, the water system pipes potable water into the Rafaela Herrera primary school and the health clinic in Goyena. 

Roofs and Foundations for Homes.  Partially with funds from NH/LSCP supporters, community members worked to put solid foundations and roofs on their homes, previously protected only with plastic tarps.  The NH/LSCP also supported the repair of the primary school’s roof, which had been damaged by tropical depression Alma in May. 

Painting the New Preschool.  The Yale University Reach-Out Delegation in March worked with community members to paint those walls of the preschools that didn’t already have beautiful murals on them.  Finally, the preschool is officially complete!

 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

 

León contact information

(Please direct all delegation and internship inquiries to our New Haven office - see bottom of page)

Barrio Sutiava, Texaco Guido
1c al norte vs arriba

Leon, Nicaragua - Central AmericaPhone:  011-505-2311-6967

General Coordinator:  Rene Venegas renevanegas2005@yahoo.com