La Chureca is the name of the neighborhood that is inside the municipal dump of Managua. Families are drawn to live here because of extreme poverty and lack of employment in Nicaragua. During the day adults and children dig through the trash looking for things to salvage, eat or recycle. The families earn a mere $4 on a typical workday. It is a very difficult way of life. The children are the ones who suffer the most, being forced to work for or alongside their parents. Along with the filth of La Chureca there is a strong presence of drugs, glue sniffing, alcohol abuse and prostitution. If you would like to watch a video to see more images and information that capture La Chureca you can click on this link http://vimeo.com/1054619
We currently have 348 students attending preschool-6th grade and also 3 levels of multi-grades.
In the year 2005 we began the “La Chureca Scholarship Program” which allows the kids from La Chureca to continue into their secondary education once they complete the sixth grade at “Colegio Cristiano La Esperanza.”
Typically when the kids graduate from the 6th grade they are forced to work in the dump to help provide for them and their family. Many of the children are desperate to break the cycle of poverty that is keeping them in the dump and this program gives them that chance. Along with the educational need for breaking the poverty cycle we also address the spiritual need by doing weekly bible studies and building relationships. Having someone behind them cheering them on is very important and we do this by visiting them in their homes, attending sports games, meeting with them individually, weekly visits to their school, tutorials, celebrating their birthdays and doing service projects together.
Our mission is to give the youth of La Chureca educational opportunities and spiritual foundations, through which we hope to give these youth the chance to improve their quality of life.
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The cost per child for each year is $100. The cost for 2011 will be $150 per students per year.
All students are fully scholarshiped by Rise Up International for 2010( www.riseupinternational.com) and a group of students from Denver, Colorado.
Our monthly operational cost for the school is: $5,900
The school is completely free for all students, we provide all school supplies, and other needs. The monthly operational cost covers 11 teachers salaries, 5 teachers aids, academic director, extra curricular teacher, night time gaurd, grounds keeper. It also includes utilities, governement expenses, social security and the extra fee for working in a contaminated environment.
Our goal for these programs are to inhance the children's education by nurishing their systems, reinforcing their education by tutoring, and feeding their imaginations through creative arts.
Comedor - Feeding Program
Feeds all students 5 days a week, for $100 a day.
A healthy body is essential to mainting a developing mind. One difficulty many students face is that they don't receive consistant meals, much less the necesary nutrients and vitamins. For this reason our comedor supplies each child with a well-balanced lunch each day of the week. By only feeding the kids who attend school that day, it is used as an incentive for kids to come to school and for the paresnt to send them.
Currently Orphan Network (orphanetwork.org), Conecta Joven, Global Connection Intl.(gciworld.org) and individuals together sponsor this program.
Reforzamiento - Tutoring program
Facilitates tutoring for 50 children, with 5 teachers, for $300 a month.
Many kids need special attentiong in their studies for various reasons. Education is generally not viewed as an investment, and therefore not given priority. Parents often force their kids to work in the trash so the family earns more money; or if the child does go to school, parents rarely take intrest in their studies. Some kids simply need extra attention, while others need to catch up. Despite our assistance in the comedor , malnourishment is a constant batle for some kids, as are instable home environments and substance abuse-all factors inhibiting educational growth and proper brain function.
Currently this program is supported by Rise Up International (www.riseupinternational.com)
Arte Que Trae Esperanza - Art That Brings Hope
(this program is momentarily not in operation because of our lack of having an art director)
Teaching 20 children, 5 days a week and is self-sustainable.
This program inspires students to think creatively. In a place where monotony controls each day, children do not have the opportunity to express themselves. Parents do not typicaly teach or encourage their kids to dream. Our desire is for them to explore new worlds in their imaginations, developing their talents to expand their vision and instill hope for a life outside La Chureca.
The artwork that the kids make is sold locally and to visitors. This helps sustain the program, promote self-confidence for the children, and gives them a chance to give back to the school.
If you would like more information
Contact Melissa Buzbee at ohearts@gmail.com
