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Fernando José Miranda
Accountant (AIN/AIEPI Project)
Fernando is responsible for financial reports, payroll income, and expenditures for the AIN/AIEPI Health Project in Jinotega, Nicaragua, which is located in the northwestern portion of the country.
"I am from the city of Rivas. I am 25 years old and was just married two months ago. I am in my last year of Business Administration studies at the UCC, a university in Managua. From 2000 through the middle of 2002, I lived in Miami, Florida where I worked as a warehouse supervisor for a company that distributed Mexican products called Dismex. I was in charge of the shipping area and responsible for the inventory coming in and out. I came back to Nicaragua to continue my studies and help my mother in her drug store. In December 2002, I met Dr. José Crus, and I inquired about the possibility of a job with N/WC. He told me that at that particular time, the organization did not have any project funding, but if I wanted to I could start as a volunteer until the situation changed. I accepted the proposal because I wanted the experience. I have now been working as an accountant as part of the AIN/AIEPI Health Project for five months. I hope to work with N/WC for a long time."
Vania Patricia Siezar
Accountant (PAININ/Cardenas Health Project)
Vania's responsibilities include the financial records for income and expenditures, payroll, and reports for the PAININ/Cardenas Health Project currently operating in the southeastern part of Nicaragua near the Costa Rican border.
"I am from the city of Rivas in southern Nicaragua. I am a single mother with a five year old daughter. I am currently studying my fifth year of Public Accounting in UPONIC, a popular Nicaraguan university in Managua. Before working for N/WC, I worked for two years as a cashier and one year as an administrator for a private school in Rivas. I left my previous job to come to Managua for my studies. I have been working as an accountant for three months for the PAININ/Cardenas Health Project. I am very happy to be working for this organization. Since we all work here as a team, it makes our work better each day."
Patricia Dolores Ruiz
Housekeeping Manager
Patricia is responsible for greeting and assisting visitors, customers, and vendors. She is in charge of office and facility cleaning and building appearance.
"I live in Cuidatd Sandino, Managua, Nicaragua. I am married and a mother of three children - two girls and one boy. Before coming to N/WC, I was a housekeeper in the same village in which I live. I worked there for three years and took sewing classes for two of those years. I came to N/WC recommended by Myriam Altamierano, former N/WC accountant. She and my father were very good friends. I have been working for N/WC for approximately three years now, and I like my job very much."
Mirna Mercedes Angulo
Administrative Assistant
Mirna's duties include the collecting and processing of all office expenditures; coordination of office activities; translation of oral and written correspondence; and the coordination and execution of activities for volunteer travelers from Wisconsin.
"I have an associate degree in Small Business Management from Edmonds Community College in Edmonds, Washington. I would like to continue my Business Management studies in the near future. I have four sisters and a very large extended family on both sides. My hometown is Ometepe Island, Rivas in the southern portion of Nicaragua, but I live and work in Managua as N/WC Administrative Assistant. I have been working for N/WC for approximately three years - one year up north in Jinotega as Secretary for the JinoHealth Project and two years here in Managua. I like my job very much and enjoy the company of our friends from Wisconsin when they come to Nicaragua. I can proudly say that I love being a part of this organization and all the different programs that are a part of it."
Lucia Mararita Vega
Assistant Accountant and Assistant Learning Centers Coordinator
As assistant accountant, Lucia helps Fernando and Vania in their accounting duties. She also assists Leonor with the Learning Centers, including supervision, the filing of financial reports, and donation distribution.
"I am from San Miguelito, department of Río San Juan, Nicaragua. My mother works as a housekeeper and my father died in 1978. There are eleven children in my family - seven girls and four boys. The three youngest are in school - two in high school and one in pre-school. After I finished high school here in Nicaragua, I received a scholarship through Georgetown University and USAID. I studied at St. Louis Community College - Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri - for two years. I graduated in 1999 with a degree in Quality Control Technology. I am not studying at the present time, but I would like to continue my education, perhaps studying architecture. I was in Río San Juan when Mirna told me that N/WC was looking for an Assistant Accountant, so I traveled to Managua to investigate the opportunity. Now I have been working in this organization for three years and I feel proud to work with such wonderful people from Nicaragua and Wisconsin."
Leonor Maria Guerrero
Learning Centers Coordinator
As Learning Centers Coordinator, Leonor is in charge of the receipt and distribution of donations, management, monitoring, and report gathering for the Learning Centers.
"I am a mother of five children and can proudly say that all of them have learned important aspects of life being a volunteer within this organization. I attended primary and secondary school in Managua. I've attended several training workshops and classes as part of my personal and professional development.
"I officially became part of the N/WC staff soon after the first Sewing Center Tour came from Wisconsin in 1996. At that time, we activated and implemented more centers with the approval of Sherin Bowen, former W/NP Executive Director, and orientation sessions from Ellen Maurer, Lucy Harvey, and Lynda Pracht. Over the years, Sherin placed great trust in me.
"We all work with mutual respect, support the goals and ideas of the organization and each other, and have established true and sincere ties of friendship and cooperation. These things do not develop overnight, but over time.
"In addition to my work as Learning Centers Coordinator for N/WC, I am also Executive Assistant to Dr. José Canton, Executive Director of Nicaragua/Wisconsin Compañeros de las Américas, Inc. Before coming to N/WC, I worked for sixteen years at Casa Dreyfus, S.A. There I held positions as cashier, sales manager, sales department assistant, furniture department manager, collection department assistant, and secretary to the president of Casa Dreyfus. On November 26, 1986, I came to the N/WC office as a substitute secretary recommended by the accountant of the organization. I will always remember, even though it was over seventeen years ago, Dr. Canton telling me, without ever meeting me before, that my employment history and integrity spoke 'for itself' in obtaining a job with him. 'You will recommend yourself,' he said. Over the years, I've done many things that have allowed me to learn and grow as a human being."
Dr. José M. Crus
Project Director/Country Health Director
José oversees the Nicaraguan offices and projects. He has been instrumental in securing grant funding and management of several health related projects.
"I am married to a beautiful wife and have two children - a boy and a little girl. I have a medical degree from UNAN. I have been trained in Public Health Management at CIES, Nicaragua; at the Institute of Public Health in Cuernavaca, Mexico; and at the Center for Disease Control and Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. This year, I received my Master degree in Business Administration from the University of Centro America, and I am currently studying finance at the same university. I am also in my fourth year of study at the Polytechnic University - Law School to obtain a law degree.
"I have been working for N/WC since 1994. Immediately upon completing my contract as Health Director of Rivas for MINSA, I was recruited by Sherin Bowen. My first job for N/WC was the management of the Rivas Maternal and Child Health Survival Project. The department of Rivas is located in the southwest corner of Nicaragua. This four year project was executed in four municipalities of the department of Rivas (Tola, Belen, Altagracia, and Moyogalpa) and benefited a total population of 29,277 distributed within 72 rural communities. A few months after the Rivas project finished, we began another MCH four year rural project in the department of Jinotega, JinoHealth I. This department of Nicaragua is located in the northern area of the country. Shortly after we began JinoHealth I, we began three new Pre-School Child Feeding Center Projects (one in Ometepe, one in Jinotega's peri-urban area, and one in Yali, Jinotega). Each of these Child Feeding Centers lasted two years and together benefited 2,025 pre-school children. A year and a half after JinoHealth I began, we opened another MCH project in Jinotega, JinoHealth II. Since I was managing five different projects in two different areas of the country at the same time, my job title changed from Project Director to Country Health Director.
"I have been working for N/WC for eight years. I have been managing projects as Field Director, Country Health Director, and Project Director for the Cornerstone Project and, during the last four years, I have written project proposals. I have secured grants for four Child Feeding Centers and two Maternal and Child Health Survival Projects."
Moisés Martín Guillén
Driver and General Maintenance Manager
Moisés assists Leonor with the Learning Centers, does basic maintenance in the office and warehouse, and assists in delivery, pick-up, and repairs. He is N/WC's principle driver when volunteers travel to Nicaragua and a jack of all trades everyday.
"I was born on Ometepe Island, Rivas, Nicaragua. My mother and I moved to Managua when I was three years old. She was the world to me. I am now married to Carolina and we have three children, two boys and one girl.
"In December 1998, after Hurricane Mitch, my nephew called me and asked if I wanted to work as a driver for N/WC for one week. I agreed. So I worked for one week, then another, then another, until I was hired permanently. I began to meet people from Wisconsin. They gave me the opportunity to develop other skills. For instance, Lynda Pracht is teaching me how to repair sewing machines and how to speak English. I have learned a lot from her because she visits and teaches me often. I also enjoy painting and writing songs. I would like to have an exhibition of my paintings for my friends from Wisconsin in the future. To work for N/WC for the last five years has helped me to grow as a person, because I feel that people from Wisconsin don't treat me as just a driver - they are my friends. I would like to learn more English and am currently attending classes. I've tried to be useful to the organization and always am I eager to learn something new, if you are willing to teach me."
Johana Mercedes Rivas
AIN/AIEPI Health Project Coordinator
Johana is responsible for activity coordination with the Ministry of Health and collaborating non-governmental organizations. As Project Coordinator for the AIN/AIEPI Health Project in Jinotega, her duties include the supervision, monitoring, evaluation, and execution of the field project.
"I am married with three children - two boys and one girl. I am originally from the municipality of Condega, Estelí, but I have been living in Managua for approximately eight years now with my family.
"I studied Sociology in the School of Humanity at the University of Centro Americas from 1995 to 1998 and received my Bachelor degree in Sociology. I also studied Medicine in the School of Medical Science at the UNAN University from 1990 to 1993.
"I came to N/WC through another NGO that knew that N/WC needed someone to work in the monitoring, supervision, and evaluation of projects. I sent my Curriculum Vitae, had an interview, and was hired in May of 2000. I have been working for three years and three months with N/WC.
"My job with N/WC has been significant for me. It has provided a series of opportunities and challenges. Opportunities because I have had the freedom to develop myself as a professional and put my knowledge and training into practice for the benefit of others. Challenges because each day I must stay focused and dedicated to the projects and the organization not only for current activities, but also for the future success of these projects and the overall well being of the organization and its efforts."
Hector Enrique Gutierrez
Part Time Driver
Hector is a part time employee who also assists Leonor with visits to the Learning Centers and works in the warehouse cleaning and maintaining order. In addition, he also transports employees and volunteer travelers when necessary.
"I am single but have two children - one boy and one girl. My son is seven years old and is currently in third grade at primary school. My daughter is three. I live in Colonia 1ro de Mayo, Managua. I graduated from high school in 1994 and studied computers from 1990 to 1993.
"While I have been working as a driver, I've learned some mechanic skills in light and heavy duty vehicles, like buses.
"I came to N/WC through Leonor Guerrero one year ago. She and I have known each other for a long time. One day she asked me to drive. I accepted and now do this service more and more often. I am very comfortable working for N/WC and always enjoy driving for the people from Wisconsin. I know the organization cannot currently employ me full time, but I want you to know that even though I am not a permanent employee, I will be there if needed. I would like to become a full time and permanent employee, but in the meantime, I am working as a volunteer in the office and warehouse."
Dr. Julio José Flores
Cardenas Health Project Coordinator
Julio manages the Cardenas Health Project, including staff and facilities, and acts as a government liaison, statistical reporter, and project services manager.
"I am 36 years old, married, and the father of a six year old boy. My wife has a Bachelor degree in Hotel Administration. I am a physician and have studied at UNAN University in Managua. I have a Master degree in Public Health and Social Services Management.
"Previous to the Cardenas Project, I was Municipal Director at the Tola Health Center. I also worked as Director of SILAIS, Rivas.
"I started work for N/WC in March of this year. I feel good about the organization and my participation despite the limitations of the municipally in which I work."
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