| © 2006 - 2008 Projects for People |
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| The vocational school in Nicaragua has operated for one year as of 30 October, 2006 with a current enrollment of 225 students. The school offers English as a 2nd language (ESL), Computer Software, Woodworking, Sewing, Small Business, and Hair/Beauty Care. |
Computer Operation
Presently the computer classes are utilizing the “Unlimited Potential” training
program provided by the Microsoft Corporation. There have been no
students as yet who have obtained a job as a direct result of the school.
However, students increasing knowledge and skills obtained will increase
their employability. None (0) of our students have computers in their
homes. Many do not have electricity. Most have never seen or used a
typewriter. Half of the students receive 2-1½ hour classes/week. One-fourth
receive 1-2hr. class/week, and the other one-fourth 3-1½ hours of
instruction per week. The school is literally bringing the students out of the
darkness in this area. The School is slated for Internet connection
November 2007.
Presently the computer classes are utilizing the “Unlimited Potential” training
program provided by the Microsoft Corporation. There have been no
students as yet who have obtained a job as a direct result of the school.
However, students increasing knowledge and skills obtained will increase
their employability. None (0) of our students have computers in their
homes. Many do not have electricity. Most have never seen or used a
typewriter. Half of the students receive 2-1½ hour classes/week. One-fourth
receive 1-2hr. class/week, and the other one-fourth 3-1½ hours of
instruction per week. The school is literally bringing the students out of the
darkness in this area. The School is slated for Internet connection
November 2007.
| Escuela San Miguel |
| Classes |
Woodworking
This class teaches many of the basic and some advanced forms of
carpentry. The woodworking class is now moving ahead with the
employment of a full-time Nicaraguan teacher with 40 students registered.
The additions of the modern power tools furnished by donations are
bringing out abilities never imagined before in Cardenas. The class held a
“Fair” in November in conjunction with our 1st Anniversary celebration and
sold $700.00 worth of furniture built in the shop. The money will go back to
the school to pay for milling lumber, electricity, maintenance of machines,
and supplies for the shop.
We are fortunate to have made contact and established relations with two
wealthy private landowners and a responsible Swiss timber company who
have furnished us with the free trees we need to make lumber for our shop.
Lumber is extremely expensive as much of Nicaragua’s timber has been
appropriated by international businesses stripping the country of their
precious timber reserves.
This class teaches many of the basic and some advanced forms of
carpentry. The woodworking class is now moving ahead with the
employment of a full-time Nicaraguan teacher with 40 students registered.
The additions of the modern power tools furnished by donations are
bringing out abilities never imagined before in Cardenas. The class held a
“Fair” in November in conjunction with our 1st Anniversary celebration and
sold $700.00 worth of furniture built in the shop. The money will go back to
the school to pay for milling lumber, electricity, maintenance of machines,
and supplies for the shop.
We are fortunate to have made contact and established relations with two
wealthy private landowners and a responsible Swiss timber company who
have furnished us with the free trees we need to make lumber for our shop.
Lumber is extremely expensive as much of Nicaragua’s timber has been
appropriated by international businesses stripping the country of their
precious timber reserves.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Having bilingual capabilities is very life-enriching and worthwhile for anyone,
but for the disenfranchised of Nicaragua it also can mean an opportunity for
career opportunities. As the country advances slowly into the modern
world, it is becoming necessary for businesses, particularly the tourist
industry, to employ bilingual individuals. English is the language of tourism
and world business in Latin America. Thus we offer ESL classes in our
school. The classes have been popular and well used and we have been
rebuilding the curriculum for student advantage. While there is little
opportunity to use the skill for a job in Cardenas, the larger cities of
Managua, Leon, and Grenada as well as tourism regions of San Juan del
Sur, Ometepe and neighboring Costa Rica have a bounty of career
opportunities for bilinguals.
Having bilingual capabilities is very life-enriching and worthwhile for anyone,
but for the disenfranchised of Nicaragua it also can mean an opportunity for
career opportunities. As the country advances slowly into the modern
world, it is becoming necessary for businesses, particularly the tourist
industry, to employ bilingual individuals. English is the language of tourism
and world business in Latin America. Thus we offer ESL classes in our
school. The classes have been popular and well used and we have been
rebuilding the curriculum for student advantage. While there is little
opportunity to use the skill for a job in Cardenas, the larger cities of
Managua, Leon, and Grenada as well as tourism regions of San Juan del
Sur, Ometepe and neighboring Costa Rica have a bounty of career
opportunities for bilinguals.
Sewing
The first class to start at Escuela San Miguel (ESM) was sewing. In fact
eager students began cutting out paper patterns before the interior walls
were up. With the gift from a generous benefactor, ESM was supplied with
fabric to make school uniforms for elementary school children. ESM then
paid students to sew uniforms to supply the elementary school children.
This continues today and is a wonderful way for the students to learn while
sharing their gift of a new trade. It also provides a great deal of pride.
Advanced students are now beginning to sew more complicated dresses
and clothes for their families and for sale. It is our goal that sewing
businesses will be spawned from ESM. Classes run throughout the day and
we have employed a full-time professional Nicaraguan teacher. Currently
sixty-five students attend sewing classes. From the start this class has been
and still is the most popular and well attended.
The first class to start at Escuela San Miguel (ESM) was sewing. In fact
eager students began cutting out paper patterns before the interior walls
were up. With the gift from a generous benefactor, ESM was supplied with
fabric to make school uniforms for elementary school children. ESM then
paid students to sew uniforms to supply the elementary school children.
This continues today and is a wonderful way for the students to learn while
sharing their gift of a new trade. It also provides a great deal of pride.
Advanced students are now beginning to sew more complicated dresses
and clothes for their families and for sale. It is our goal that sewing
businesses will be spawned from ESM. Classes run throughout the day and
we have employed a full-time professional Nicaraguan teacher. Currently
sixty-five students attend sewing classes. From the start this class has been
and still is the most popular and well attended.
Hair/Beauty Care
The Beautician class was added following requests from many people. It has proven to be very popular
and currently has 22 students. The class meets on Saturday afternoon (when all the other classes are
over) for 4 hours. A volunteer Nicaraguan teacher rides the bus out from Rivas to Cardenas (1 1/2 hrs.)
for the class! She loves working with the students and uses her Saturday afternoons in this manner.
The class is fun and noisy and the students come out with beautiful new hairstyles and finger/toenail
jobs. They have running water and big mirrors and donated hair dryers, clippers, rollers, scissors, etc.
that of course they cannot afford alone.
It is as much a class of learning as it is a social gathering place and time for people to forget their
situation and enjoy each other while learning skills. And this is OK; in fact it is right on and totally in line
with our call to social justice. We are anticipating and preparing for a beautician shop on the school
grounds soon. The students have also been visiting small close-in villages in the area and doing hair
and nails for free. (Are these just guinea pigs? No, the people love to see them come.) Some of these
students will make a little income in Cardenas, but some will have to leave for bigger cities for reliable
employment.
The Beautician class was added following requests from many people. It has proven to be very popular
and currently has 22 students. The class meets on Saturday afternoon (when all the other classes are
over) for 4 hours. A volunteer Nicaraguan teacher rides the bus out from Rivas to Cardenas (1 1/2 hrs.)
for the class! She loves working with the students and uses her Saturday afternoons in this manner.
The class is fun and noisy and the students come out with beautiful new hairstyles and finger/toenail
jobs. They have running water and big mirrors and donated hair dryers, clippers, rollers, scissors, etc.
that of course they cannot afford alone.
It is as much a class of learning as it is a social gathering place and time for people to forget their
situation and enjoy each other while learning skills. And this is OK; in fact it is right on and totally in line
with our call to social justice. We are anticipating and preparing for a beautician shop on the school
grounds soon. The students have also been visiting small close-in villages in the area and doing hair
and nails for free. (Are these just guinea pigs? No, the people love to see them come.) Some of these
students will make a little income in Cardenas, but some will have to leave for bigger cities for reliable
employment.
Small Business
The Small Business Class is taught by our “resident” U.S. Peace Corps (PC) Volunteer. This is a
standardized course that the PC uses worldwide. The full title is “How to start a business without
money”. It is very appropriate and we are fortunate to have this class taught in our school. Our teacher
has adapted the class for each of the other “trade” classes and teaches students from those classes
particularly to their area of interest (Beautician, Woodworker, Sewing, etc.)
The Small Business Class is taught by our “resident” U.S. Peace Corps (PC) Volunteer. This is a
standardized course that the PC uses worldwide. The full title is “How to start a business without
money”. It is very appropriate and we are fortunate to have this class taught in our school. Our teacher
has adapted the class for each of the other “trade” classes and teaches students from those classes
particularly to their area of interest (Beautician, Woodworker, Sewing, etc.)
| Click images for larger view.. |
The class is also being taught in the secondary school and our PC volunteer is training a local teacher to
continue the course in coming years. Our PC volunteer is also tutoring some advanced English as a
Second Language students and helps with the administration and management of the school. This
coming school year we expect another sign up of woodworker, beautician, and sewing students.
continue the course in coming years. Our PC volunteer is also tutoring some advanced English as a
Second Language students and helps with the administration and management of the school. This
coming school year we expect another sign up of woodworker, beautician, and sewing students.
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| UPDATE! Click here to see photos from 2008 Graduation ceremony!! |
