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Nicaragua, our partner country, and its people have faced more than their share of challenges in past decades. Now rated by the World Bank as the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, nearly 75% of the population in Nicaragua lives in poverty while 50% live on less than a dollar per day. Nicaragua's annual per capita income is $410, and a large portion of the population are either unemployed or underemployed. Success in international development requires integrated programs to bring about sustainable change. The project areas presented in this annual report provide leadership training and are facilitated by Wisconsin and Nicaraguan community members working together to make a difference. All of these challenges take place in our hemisphere and time zone, a mere 2000 miles south of Wisconsin.
Backpack And School Uniform Project
This project began when Wisconsinites became aware that children in Nicaragua cannot attend school without the required uniform and shoes. Several partner cities have made agreements with their Nicaraguan community's Learning Centers to manufacture school uniforms. The Partner City committee or individual funds the purchase of fabric and sewing notions while the Learning Center participants sew the uniforms and disperse them to students. Backpacks filled with school supplies are donated and shipped to Nicaragua. This popular project has transferred hundreds of backpacks with school supplies to children in need.
Bicycle Project
Wisconsinites obtain used mountain bikes in good condition. Boy scouts assess them for needed parts, disassemble them, and pack them into bicycle boxes. Bicycle shop owners in Nicaragua oversee the project and train community boy scouts to make the needed repairs and reassemble the bikes. Project leaders disperse the bikes to poor school children with proven school attendance records.
Firefighters United
This newly organized project unites firefighters and EMTs from Wisconsin and Nicaragua. Exchange of training for emergency personnel began in March, 2001 when two Nicaraguan fire chiefs met with Wisconsin counterparts and visited with fire personnel from throughout Wisconsin at a state convention. W/NP is grateful to Wisconsin firefighters for the donations of firefighting supplies, ambulances, and fire trucks.
Nurses' Uniform Project
Wisconsin nurses no longer wear white uniforms. Contrarily, Nicaraguan nurses are required to wear them. Hence, Wisconsin and Midwest nurses donate their used uniforms to Nicaraguan nurses. This beautiful project has been supported by many professionals, including nurses in Indiana and Illinois. Nicaraguan health care professionals are extremely grateful for the receipt of white uniforms, shoes, and hose.
Shipping Program
The Denton Program and the Funded Transportation Program are both U.S. government funded programs that aid humanitarian shipment efforts by nonprofit organizations. The W/NP warehouse facilitates the gathering, storage, and shipment preparation of hospital beds and health care equipment, sewing machines and supplies, student and teacher desks, school supplies, backpacks, bicycles, sports equipment, emergency vehicles, and Learning Center training equipment. W/NP shipped in excess of 84 tons of donated supplies and equipment valued at more than $515,000 in the year 2003. Each of these activities affects scores of people both in Wisconsin and Nicaragua and produces mutually positive impacts.
Statistics
School Projects
· Teachers' Desks Distributed: 06
· School Supplies Shipped: 20 Gaylords
Firefighters United
· Fire Trucks Shipped: 02
· Ambulances Shipped: 01
Computer Supplies
· Monitors: 07
· Hard Drives: 11
· Keyboards: 10
· Printers: 05
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