Graduation celebration.
Education The vocational workshops launched in March of this year, and we are now able to certify students in four different trades: shoe making, residential electricity, welding and sewing. NPH Nicaragua has offered workshops in the past when the home was located on Ometepe Island; however, students did not receive nationally recognized certification in their trades. By attending the vocational workshops the students now receive this certification, which improves their opportunity at finding jobs in their trade. In addition this helps build self-confidence in their skills, and the opportunity to be self-sufficient and support their families in the future. One of our 9th grade students participated in a literature contest in the community. He placed first at the Municipal level in July for the oral division, as well as placing first in the written division in September. What is even more exceptional about this achievement is that before coming to NPH, he did not know how to speak Spanish. He is from the Mesquite region, on the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, where they speak their own language. When children come to NPH from the Mesquite region, most of them do not speak or understand any Spanish. This was the case with Tadeo, but in his time here he has excelled in both learning Spanish and in his other school classes. The Samaritan Project Some may see this as an outreach program, but at NPH Nicaragua we know it as “our new home.� Since 2010, The Samaritan Project has provided physical and occupational therapy to children with disabilities. At the end of 2014 the program was serving 33 patients and their families. These children receive therapy and milk, while their families receive support and training.
26 NPH Nicaragua 2014
In August of 2014, the construction of our own building on Ometepe Island was completed. After renting a room in a local hospital for five years, we now have our own building with more space, access to water and electricity, and more therapy options for the people that we serve. The families are happy to have a place they can call their own and we are happy to welcome them as a part of the family. Community Service In October there was a flood near our home in Jinotepe. While we were not affected, many people in the community were. Thirty of our youth went to help support a local community that was devastated by this flood by bringing rice, clothes, and company to the victims. Our kids were given the choice to decide if they wanted to donate some of the rice that they would be eating for a week to the people that were affected and had no food. Many children decided to do so. Through outreach like this, our children learn about sharing and helping others in need. Even though our children do not have a lot, they have what they need, and they want to help others who are less fortunate. At NPH they are learning ways of love and service to others. They are generous children who love to help others in any way they can. Medical In May the implementation of our medical database was completed. We are now able to archive the medical records of every child in our database for easy access and reference. This makes the jobs of our medical team much easier and makes it possible to keep accurate records of the health of our children. This year we also have stable staff working with us 24 hours a day, allowing us to provide better service to the children.