W/NP Meeting Report

WISCONSIN/NICARAGUA Partners of the Americas, Inc. Working together We make a Difference Agenda/Meeting Information/Managua Office July 28, 2012

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Introductions/Roll Call 40 volunteers attended meeting Discussion of topics from last meeting Sewing material distribution to the Learning Center representatives. Monday, July 16th five volunteers prepared sewing material boxes and a sewing material bags for each participant of the monthly meeting.

Discussion of current topics/new business Announcement of the different classes offered at the W/NP office, now posted on the W/NP website.

Mammography tests offered monthly Classes offered Piñatas Jewelry keychain Jewelry Black ceramic Foamy Bags Canvas Knitting New classes for September Ribbons design hand embroidery Porcelain ornaments (cold pastry)

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Activities for the meeting Craft Raffle Fund Raiser Necklace knitting class, Lilliam Rosa Gomez Leader (s) of the meeting Moises Guillen & Suyen Cerda Next meeting Quilt or patch Bag Activity by Julia Flores Date: August 25th, 2012

Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

July notes and pictures: Activity of the month Lilliam Rosa taught how to knit a necklace, the ladies appreciated her willingness to share with them this skill because knitting is something they will teach at their learning center.

After the monthly meeting representatives from the learning centers receiving sewing supplies boxes and a bag per participant.

Classes during the month of July at the W/NP office: Bakery decoration: Five students were part of four classes. They prepared the bread for the refreshments at July monthly meeting, also participants received bakery utensils.

WISCONSIN/NICARAGUA PartnersȱofȱtheȱAmericas,ȱInc.ȱ Black ceramic classes: WNP is creating a new skill opportunity with the start of the black ceramic class.

Students learned how to work with clay, making every single piece shaped without a spinning pottery wheel, just by hand and with manual inexpensive tools.

The most challenging part comes at the end when the pieces needed to be fired in order to turn them black. The group had excellent results as all the pieces they made survived the firing process.

When you are a beginner ceramic student, it is not easy to get it just right.

Saturday after the hard work to fire the pieces, participants were happy and felt very proud of their special ceramic art. Special thanks to Norma Dolores Rodriguez, mother of Lizbeth, who kindly shared with the group her experience about making black ceramics.

Black Ceramics Class July 2012

The ďƒžring process for making black ceramics

WISCONSIN/NICARAGUA PartnersȱofȱtheȱAmericas,ȱInc.ȱ Piñata Class: participants have learned a different technique for the base of the piñata using balloons instead of clay bowls while still maintaining quality.

Piñatas were tradiƟonally made with a clay pot base and many arƟsans make a living selling just the pot for people to decorate as they wish.

However, clay pot piñatas have mostly been replaced by those made with cardboard and paper mache, usually fashioned over balloons. One reason for this is that broken pot pieces can be dangerous to children.

The piñatas are then decorated with crepe paper, other colored paper and other items.

Learning the art of Piñata making is a valuable skill as Nicaragua is well known for celebraƟng many holidays, birthdays and special occasions for just about any reason.

Bag Class: Every Thursday Irene is teaching different style of bag

Canvas, Foamy Crafts and Keychain Jewelry Classes

Working Together, We Make a Diīerence!

Part of W/NP teaching staī, from the leŌ: Sandra Boniche (Sewing machine repair and Kniƫng), Lizbeth Oīer (Black Ceramics), Ana Julia Quintero (Keychain Jewelry), Suyen Cerda (Jewelry) and Petronila Solis (Sewing and smocking). They felt proud to wear W/NP shirts, thanks to Rosa Surber.

The Learning Center commiƩee has worked hard on promoƟng fund raising acƟviƟes that help W/NP sponsor the Piñatas, Black Ceramic and Canvas classes. Special thanks to Bob Groh, Wisconsin, for the two clay bowls and two plates he donated for ring the ceramic which turned the pieces black.