The Lamp of Learning has long been a symbol for eagerness and opportunity. Unfortunately, during the ten years of civil war in Nicaragua, education was interrupted and hope for a brighter future dimmed. In a country with an average education of 3.8 years, people hunger to learn new skills and ideas, and that's just what our Managua Learning Center will provide.
We are fortunate to have a site where supplies will be safe, restrooms will be available, and the interior temperature will encourage learning. People will attend skill training classes and workshops and use the meeting area. We will also develop a Resource Center where patterns, reference materials, and videos will be available.
Classes that Nicaraguans have requested include:
- small appliance repair;
- carpentry;
- computer training;
- sewing;
- confectionery and cake decorating;
- kitchen gardening;
- small animal husbandry;
- cosmetology.
As has become a tradition, a Learning Center Tour will take place in January 2005 and will offer Wisconsinites a respite from our bitter winter. On this trip, participants will teach new skills, crafts, and subjects to Nicaraguan participants at three half-day workshops. Previous Learning Center trips have increased money-making skills for Nicaraguan women and men.
Won't you support Learning Center activities and help reignite the Lamp of Learning?
