It's been more than two weeks since we arrived. So far, we've opened a local bank account for the program, held the first meetting with the youth, their mothers, and other community members, held community film screenings with over 20 kids from the neighborhood, and signed a one-year lease for the building Podcasts for Peace will occupy, which is three houses away from Yamileth's house in Alemania Democrática. Yamileth and her neighbors, Britania and David, worked hours to find the building. Thanks to their efforts, we now have an affordable and comfortably sized space to live and work, located in a very friendly neighborhood.
However, the house needs quite a bit of repair, so most of our time so far has been spent searching for supplies in a huge open market, el mercado Oriental, and then using them to replace the electrical system, secure the property, and make other repairs. Jorge, who lives right next door to the Podcasts for Peace house and is currently unemployed, has been volunteering nearly every day to install lights and outlets and put bars over the windows and doors. Two youth from Timal, a camp near another dump for people displaced by floods in Managua, are participants in the program and will be staying in the back room since their home is four hours away by bus. They've been helping get the house set up as well.
At the first community meeting, we met with the youth who will be participating in the program along with many of their mothers, and were able to get their input about what they hoped the program would be. Many expressed interest in learning English, so we will be collaborating with local students who are learning English and volunteers from the US (hint hint!) to provide classes, which will begin after the Youth Media Program is up and running.
Other exciting news: Podcasts for Peace has formed a commission of local residents and community leaders who will meet weekly with us to assign responsibilities and evaluate the program. They also think of creative fundraising ideas and buy and prepare snacks for the participants. At the meeting this week, we chose a time for the weekly community film screening and assigned someone to watch the toddlers every week, made reminder signs for the house, and prepared for the arrival of the youth from Timal.
Even without paying for labor, we've had a lot of unforseen expenses due to the repairs we need to make to the house before the program begins. There is also a lot we would like to do or buy when we have the funds. For example, we hope to put cement (instead of dirt) in the patio, porch area, and back room, buy a blender and rice cooker, and paint the house. Please consider donating!
The program has a lot of support here: Yamileth has donated or loaned lots of supplies and is looking for local grants, Jorge and the commission are volunteering their time, and every day it seems like someone stops by to offer to help in whatever way they can. It's feeling more and more like a community driven project.
Until next time,
Mika and James
PS. Photos to come soon!
However, the house needs quite a bit of repair, so most of our time so far has been spent searching for supplies in a huge open market, el mercado Oriental, and then using them to replace the electrical system, secure the property, and make other repairs. Jorge, who lives right next door to the Podcasts for Peace house and is currently unemployed, has been volunteering nearly every day to install lights and outlets and put bars over the windows and doors. Two youth from Timal, a camp near another dump for people displaced by floods in Managua, are participants in the program and will be staying in the back room since their home is four hours away by bus. They've been helping get the house set up as well.
At the first community meeting, we met with the youth who will be participating in the program along with many of their mothers, and were able to get their input about what they hoped the program would be. Many expressed interest in learning English, so we will be collaborating with local students who are learning English and volunteers from the US (hint hint!) to provide classes, which will begin after the Youth Media Program is up and running.
Other exciting news: Podcasts for Peace has formed a commission of local residents and community leaders who will meet weekly with us to assign responsibilities and evaluate the program. They also think of creative fundraising ideas and buy and prepare snacks for the participants. At the meeting this week, we chose a time for the weekly community film screening and assigned someone to watch the toddlers every week, made reminder signs for the house, and prepared for the arrival of the youth from Timal.
Even without paying for labor, we've had a lot of unforseen expenses due to the repairs we need to make to the house before the program begins. There is also a lot we would like to do or buy when we have the funds. For example, we hope to put cement (instead of dirt) in the patio, porch area, and back room, buy a blender and rice cooker, and paint the house. Please consider donating!
The program has a lot of support here: Yamileth has donated or loaned lots of supplies and is looking for local grants, Jorge and the commission are volunteering their time, and every day it seems like someone stops by to offer to help in whatever way they can. It's feeling more and more like a community driven project.
Until next time,
Mika and James
PS. Photos to come soon!
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