Orange News N I C A R A G U A July • August • September 2021
World Vision
prepares to respond to fragile urban contexts in Central America
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Training for leaders and field staff of the national office block of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA4)
World Vision, from its role as a humanitarian aid Partnership, trained leaders and field staff from the national office block of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA4) in aspects of Strategic Programming to assist in urban areas exposed to contexts fragile. This training lasted four days and was carried out virtually and in person, so that members of the four CA4 offices, Support Offices and the Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office could participate simultaneously. With this workshop, a new stage of organizational work began, in which the Central American offices will develop, in the next two years, pilot programs to respond to fragile urban contexts. “For our organization it is very relevant to address these issues because we must understand what it means to work in fragile urban contexts; this understanding of the context and how the actors interact within this dynamic will give us the opportunity to effectively address these contexts and have a greater impact. Likewise, it establishes the role that World Vision will be able to play in these contexts, working with local entities present in the neighborhoods, but also working with partners and state entities to carry out actions that provide answers to these contexts,” shared Marco Villela, Director of Strategic Initiatives for Central America at World Vision International.
Fragile urban contexts can be classified as a state where the population of a particular urban area is subjected to high levels of stress and this is generated by social, environmental, political, crisis due to lack of security, lack of public services, for lack of generation of resources or for racial and ethnic reasons. “The idea is that the four countries that make up the CA4 implement between the years 2022-2024 actions at the pilot level to respond to situations of fragile urban contexts. The biggest challenge of this initiative is that to implement this response model there are no Sponsorship
funding resources and it is expected to have the support of various donor partners such as the private sector, the church, civil society organizations, academia, funds of international cooperation,” shared Oscar Chicas, National Director of World Vision Nicaragua. The programs carried out from this initiative will be developed specifically in urban areas of the country, and also seek to forge solid relationships with leading actors in the neighborhoods and external partners to strengthen development capacities for the well-being of children.
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This is a process that is part of the learning that the The organization has been developing in Tipitapa, which is the only urban area in the country where we have worked and also sets a guideline in terms of making modifications to expand our coverage of assistance that is focused on rural territories, but now the challenge is to be present in urban areas with fragile contexts, shared Claudia López, Program Manager for the Protection of Children and Adolescents Free from Violence at World Vision Nicaragua.
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World Vision and
la Convención Bautista de Nicaragua sign a collaboration agreement
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and Sunday Bible School. Likewise, the churches belonging to the Baptist Convention of Nicaragua will be developing the methodologies of Parenting with Tenderness, Channels of Hope, Opening Paths of Protection and Tenderness, Godly Play, among others, with the aim of carrying the message of no violence and tenderness to Nicaraguan households.
World Vision Nicaragua and la Convención Bautista de Nicaragua signed a two-year collaboration agreement, in order to develop joint activities in favor of the comprehensive well-being of children in the most vulnerable communities and areas of the country. “As World Vision, we seek the well-being of children, and the Church has a connection with thousands of children, which is very important to us. We are natural partners with the Church and, therefore, the idea is to strengthen that relationship and work together,” commented Oscar Chicas, National Director of World Vision Nicaragua. The agreement contemplates the execution of activities in the areas of education, work with children, young pastors
“We are very happy with this agreement and we hope to make the most of it, for the benefit of children and adolescents, we are even talking about other areas of work that can be included in the renewal of collaboration in two years,” said Félix Ruiz Rivera, President of the Baptist Convention of Nicaragua.
World Vision Nicaragua
scored a “homerun” in communities of Chinandega
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feel happy with my own uniform and shoes; is a very nice experience because I share moments of joy with my friends. I feel important because before I only watched them and they did not take me into account because I did not have a uniform and now I am in a league, shares Josuath, 11 years old.
Like Josuath, there are 105 boys and adolescents who make up the baseball league, in addition to 19 girls and 26 boys who make up the soccer teams, who received personalized sports uniforms from World Vision Nicaragua. As part of the organization’s commitment to the sustainability of the communities, a donation of sports uniforms was given to seven baseball teams and three soccer teams from 11 sectors of Chinandega that are in the last year of accompaniment by World Vision. “I feel very happy because I am going to participate in a baseball league and this is my favorite sport. Being part of a team I know that I can be a great person and I can even make it to the big leagues,” says 11-year-old Jonathan happily. The sports leagues project arose through the management of the Community Child Well-being Committees organized by the communities accompanied in Chinandega and that this year have been actively integrated in the formation of initiatives that promote participation, healthy recreation and tender protection of the children. Likewise, they have managed community impact projects to strengthen joint work with parents, schools, churches and faith-based organizations.
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“In the closure programs, we have been accompanying the communities for more than 10 - 15 years and in that time; we develop capacities in them for community selfmanagement, project management and the identification of needs and vulnerabilities in children. This allows them to consider strategies to face the problems from their own resources. World Vision gave its contribution together with the community. The community is what puts the coaches and this is a sustainability approach because it is the community itself that will sequence the teams, create their own leagues, etc. These community empowerment projects are part of our transfer,” shared Cinthya Flores, Sponsorship Program Manager for World Vision Nicaragua.
Central American Organizations Committed to Humanitarian Assistance
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As part of the recognition of Humanitarian Assistance work, World Vision, from the national offices of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA4), held the Prepared and Resilient 365 days a year forum to show the importance of work in association in order to generate impact, respond in a timely manner to disasters and contribute to the recovery of affected populations. The forum shared the experiences of World Vision CA4 responding to the recent emergencies caused by COVID-19 and the impact of hurricanes Eta and Iota in the area. Likewise, on the execution of its response plan that consists of three stages: Save and preserve the health of the most vulnerable; Provide emotional and spiritual care, and finally, Initiate psychosocial and economic recovery, in which World Vision is currently working with the execution of health, education, food, protection, safe water projects, etc. “When we talk about disasters and emergencies, humanitarian workers are the first to arrive and the last to leave. In Central America, we are currently facing new challenges such as migration, the pandemic, and climate change; This is where humanitarian work is essential, which is why it is so important that we talk about being
Preprared and resilient,” shared Joao Diniz, World Vision Regional Leader. Prepared and Resilient year round Likewise, the Prepared and Resilient 365 days a year forum featured a brief discussion where other Humanitarian Aid organizations and representatives of the Private Company participated, with whom World Vision collaborates to respond to emergencies.
The participants were: Claudia Herrera, Executive Secretary, of the Center for the Coordination of Disaster Prevention in Central America and the Dominican Republic (Cepredenac); Shelley Cheatham, Head of the Regional Office for the coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for Latin America and the Caribbean (OCHA ROLAC); Likza Salazar, Chief of the IOM Mission in Honduras; Riaz Lodhi, Representative and Country Director of the World Food Program in El Salvador, and Juan Carlos Sikaffy, President of the Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (COHEP).
In the discussion, they talked about how humanitarian aid agencies are preparing in the face of the new context, how partner work is being considered for new responses and the challenges that are seen for the future. “In the region there is an increase in the humanitarian needs of the people who have been affected; there is a growing climate vulnerability that directly affects people’s livelihoods and has also been linked to food insecurity, violence and, of course, migration,” shared Likza Salazar, IOM Chief of Mission in Honduras. For his part, Riaz Lodhi, Country Representative and Director of the World Food Program in El Salvador, considers that preparing to respond to a disaster is essential to achieve greater impact, “it is important to strengthen food systems, invest in anticipated actions to prepare communities for a disaster and the most effective responses are achieved through alliances, no one can solve problems alone, but with coordinated actions we can affect many problems.” The World Vision partnership has more than 70 years of experience in humanitarian aid, from its mission and thanks to the work in partnership; it manages to impact the lives of children, adolescents and their families in the most vulnerable communities in more than 90 countries.
Cruz Roja Nicaragüense recognizes World Vision Nicaragua for its humanitarian work after Hurricanes Iota and Eta
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We have similar principles and binding values and that makes us strong as organizations to go further and go further. We make this possible with the work we have done in the response to hurricanes, but also in the response to the pandemic and various emergencies, in which we have worked together with a transparent relationship in favor of Nicaraguan society, shared Auner García, Director General of the Cruz Roja Nicaragüense.
Cruz Roja Nicaragüense, within the framework of World Humanitarian Day, was accountable for the donations obtained to respond to the emergency caused by Hurricanes Iota and Eta that impacted the country in November 2020. At the event, the achievements of the humanitarian organization in matters of evacuation, food delivery and hygiene kits were shared; as well as, the impact on water, sanitation and reconstruction of homes. In the accountability, the importance of working in partnership for the humanitarian response was recognized and in this sense, recognitions were delivered to various organizations, companies and donors that joined the response to said emergency. World Vision Nicaragua received recognition for the work in partnership that both organizations carried out to influence the well-being of people affected by cyclones on the North Caribbean Coast of the country. “On this occasion we are very happy to have recognized World Vision Nicaragua for the hard work and trajectory they have for working in favor of children, adolescents and families who are at risk.
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Both humanitarian organizations signed a working agreement in 2018 and since then the joint collaboration has been strengthened to respond at the national level to the emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and in a focused way in the areas where hurricanes Eta and Iota impacted. “For World Vision Nicaragua it is a great honor to receive this recognition on World Humanitarian Day, both organizations were among the first to respond in the first 72 hours after the emergency on the Caribbean Coast and it was only possible due to the great commitment of our institutions and collaborators. For us, the Nicaraguan Red Cross is a great ally that has provided us with tools for the care of our staff and in terms of Humanitarian Standards. In turn, our organization has supported their work by channeling donations of materials, equipment and resources for their work in the country,” shared Rigoberto Shelevy, Director of Operations for World Vision Nicaragua. In 2020, World Vision Nicaragua and the Nicaraguan Red Cross renewed their joint work agreement, in order to continue joint efforts and impact the most vulnerable population in the country, strengthen organizational capacities and combine actions in situations such as disasters or other contexts that put in risk the lives of Nicaraguans.
Walmart will donate 8 million masks in Central America against COVID-19
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Nicaragua received 1,028,868 masks
Nicaragua benefited from the donation of 8 million disposable surgical masks made by Walmart International, Walmart Centroamérica and World Vision to prevent COVID-19. In total, the donation, which has a value of US$ 4 million dollars, was delivered in the five countries in the region donde Walmart tiene operaciones: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica y Nicaragua. In Nicaragua, a total of 1,028,868 masks were delivered through World Vision with the purpose of protecting the health of children, adolescents, youth, the elderly, teachers,
health workers, and personnel of relief organizations, such as the Red Cross. Nicaraguan and firefighters, among others, detailed Richard Lugo, Manager of Corporate Affairs at Walmart Nicaragua. “We thank the Walmart Foundation for trusting World Vision with this donation that will reach the most vulnerable in the Central American region. Through this support, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica will be able to strengthen prevention and mitigation actions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among the communities in which we work. There is no doubt that the participation of a responsible private sector
such as Walmart through its Foundation, is essential to stop this pandemic that is affecting children and their families throughout the region. World Vision is committed and willing to continue working with Walmart in order to expand the impact of the interventions that both organizations are having in the communities where we serve,” said Rigoberto Shelevy, Director of Operations for World Vision Nicaragua. The distribution of the masks began in September benefiting the population of 15 municipalities in the country where World Vision Nicaragua has a presence. Likewise, they have been delivered to local partners who work with the most vulnerable children, through shelters,
schools and children’s kitchens. They have also been donated to the Local System of Comprehensive Health Care (Silais) of nine municipalities in the country for the medical personnel of hospitals and health centers. Within the framework of the COVID-19 health alert, Walmart of Mexico and Central America has donated hospital equipment and humanitarian food aid in Nicaragua to protect health and promote a better quality of life among the neediest population.
World Vision Nicaragua
distributes 167 refrigerators to local partners and youth entrepreneurs
Gifts in Kind
World Vision Nicaragua distributed 167 refrigerators to key partners to be used in community kitchens and various projects they serve. The refrigerators, which were donated by the international chain of hypermarkets Costco Wholesale, will also be destined for World Vision community offices, with the aim of improving the working conditions of field staff, beneficiaries and collaborators of partner institutions. Donations were distributed throughout the month of July and benefited organizations such as ORPHANetwork, Meritorious Fire Department, Convention of Evangelical Churches, International Baptist Mission of Nicaragua, Nidia White Women’s Movement, Nicaraguan Red Cross, Convoy of Hope, among others. Partner organizations that received refrigerators will use them in community kitchens and other projects they serve. “We have programs of children’s kitchens in the communities to contribute to the eradication of malnutrition and, in the long term, to break cycles of poverty. The reception of the refrigerators came to solve problems that community shepherds had to store the food they bought because they did not have a resource to store it. World Vision made this work much easier for us, and now our pastoral leaders can dedicate more time to evangelism.
With this alliance we can have a greater impact on the well-being of children in rural areas, because the needs are too great and a single organization cannot do it, but with God’s help and working together with partners like World Vision we can make a greater impact,” shared Eddy Montes, National Director of ORPHANetwork Nicaragua. With the donation received, 27 children’s kitchens in vulnerable areas of the country will be served. Likewise, 10 refrigerators will be distributed to adolescents and youth accompanied by the Youth Ready methodology, of the Children Educated During and for Life program, who have developed a food, bakery or pastry business. “As an organization we thank our donor for trusting us and in the distribution we would do of the refrigerators, for us it is important to contribute to the well-being of our staff, the community initiatives of partners and the adolescents that we accompany,” shared Enrique Villegas, Gifts in Kind Coordinator at World Vision Nicaragua.
To support World Vision Nicaragua with Gifts in kind you can write to Enrique_Villegas@wvi.org
Sweaters for the northern side of Nicaragua and emergency situations
Gifts in Kind
“We are proud to be able to help organizations that work for the benefit of children in various areas of the country and World Vision has been a partner with whom, in recent years, we have been able to accompany vulnerable families in the country,” said Karla Sánchez, Communication and Social Responsibility Coordinator of Gildan Nicaragua. World Vision and Gildan have years of partnership both in the Nicaraguan national offices and at the regional level, and by working together have been able to assist people from vulnerable communities in different countries. “We thank Gildan Nicaragua for this valuable support and trust in our organization. Likewise, I invite other organizations to join our work to impact more people in our country,” shared Enrique Villegas, Gifts in Kind Coordinator at World Vision Nicaragua. World Vision Nicaragua will distribute sweaters to people in a state of vulnerability in the northern part of the country and affected by emergency situations, so that they can protect themselves from the low temperatures. The delivery will be made possible thanks to the donation of a package of 500 sweaters of various sizes donated by the garment manufacturing company, Gildan Nicaragua as part of its corporate social responsibility.
To support World Vision Nicaragua with Gifts in kind you can write to Enrique_Villegas@wvi.org
Education and motivation are the engine of improvement
Transformation Story
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I am Ashly, I am 20 years old; I live with my parents and an 11 year old brother.
My mother is a street vendor and my dad is a temporary driver. Although my family is not large, the economic situation has been difficult since my parents’ sources of income are not fixed. When I started high school, in 2013, it was complicated because I had to leave the community to continue my studies and sometimes it was difficult to have transportation and other necessary resources to attend class. In the vulnerable condition in which my academic future was, World Vision Nicaragua invited me to participate in a vocational barbering course in which we were trained in the skill and also provided us with the necessary materials to practice the trade. That was great for me, because it allowed me to start a small barber shop in my community, with which I was able to finish my high school studies.
Two years ago I had the opportunity to participate in a new World Vision methodology called Youth Ready, here I strengthened my skills for entrepreneurship, savings, employability, resource management and customer service; This helped me clarify and focus my life plan and that of my family, because I was able to share and provide some suggestions to my parents for managing their income and sources of work.
Currently, I am in the fourth year of a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, I study on a Sunday basis and during the week I support my parents and continue with my entrepreneurship. In addition, I am also a part of the Child Well-being Committee of my community because I feel committed to supporting other children, who need some support, some
advice in the face of a difficult situation that they and their families face. The most significant change that my life has had with the accompaniment of the organization is my personal empowerment with tools that allowed me to start my entrepreneurship and be responsible for myself and support my family. I thank the organization for all the contribution made in the areas of Education. With the Youth Ready methodology, we are 25 young people from my area who have been trained for free in tools and skills to improve our ventures and we are about to finish our university careers.
United States
Canada
Germany
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thanks to the generous contribution from our support offices and their sponsors
we managed to benefit
41,894 470 boys and girls in
communities and neighborhoods in Nicaragua
Learn more about World Vision’s work in Nicaragua. Help us transform the lives of children.
Donate now: WorldVisionNic www.worldvision.org.ni Contact: Vittoria Peñalba - Sustainability Director CA4 vittoria_penalba@wvi.org