Exciting Event!

The Oak Bay Bistro and Event Designer, Macayla Friesen, will host an Non Profit Art Show and Silent Auction evening on March 21st, 2012 at The Oak Bay Bistro (2250 Oak Bay Ave Victoria, BC V8R 1G5, 250‐598‐1441). Cost is $50 per person

Proceeds will be donated to:
The Nicaragua School Project.

The evening event will feature:
• Art Show (displaying pieces from 5 local Vancouver Island Artists, photography, oil
painting, mixed media on canvas)
• Silent Auction (fantastic donations from ie. A stay at the Port Renfrew Lodge, wine
tour in the Okanagan with Discovery Okanagan Tours, an Adrenaline Zip Line
adventure.. and more)
• Lola Parks (http://www.lolaparks.com). A very talented musician.
• Chef John Waller’s rustic‐elegant culinary tastings http://oakbaybistro.ca/chefjohn waller.php
Tickets can be purchased at the Oak Bay Bistro (cash only).

For more information please call:
Macayla Friesen @ 250‐213‐2291 or email macaylabryn@yahoo.ca ‐ Event Manager
Angela @ 250‐598‐1441 – Oak Bay Bistro Front End Manager
Kathryn Moncur @ 1604‐3530677 or Kathryn.moncur@gmail.com ‐ Founder of Nicaragua School Project Society

On behalf of all involved, I warmly invite you to both support and attend this considerable cause assisting the increasing laughter of the Nicaraguan Children. Your support is much appreciated and I look forward in speaking further regarding this event exposure.

Kindly,
Macayla Friesen
Event Manager

Lovely Hilce, a Nica School Project Success.

Since 2010, Nicaragua School Project has had the pleasure of supporting Hilce attend a private school in Granada, Nicaragua.

I met Hilce in the neighbourhood where I stay in Granada-and she always greeted me with a warm smile & open heart. When I heard that her Dad had left their family without any financial support, my heart sunk. She was switching to a school far off the beaten track & was feeling sad to be separated from her friends. It didn't take me long to add this to the Nicaragua School initiative. Our project has allowed Hilce to remain at the private school she feels comfortable, alongside her friends (and a short walk from her neighbourhood.)

I have already promised her another year of school via our project--considering she has done well in her studies, and is thriving in the environment. We currently have enough funds to support our 600 children with school supplies, but could use $200-250 more dollars to ensure Hilce's education is paid for. Please make the difference: http://www.nicaraguaschoolproject.org/helpourcause.html

Also- I would be happy to connect anyone who supports Hilce in her educational journey. A pen-pal- someone to practice your spanish with. She even has facebook:) This is the real deal.

Thanks for your support. Muchas Gracias.

Happy Holidays.

Wishing all our lovely supporters a wonderful holiday season!:)

This fall has been an active one for the Nicaragua School Project. We collaborated with students at Royal Roads University and held a small fundraiser in the cafeteria- and raised $400.00. It was fantastic to expose our project to more people--spreading our message of friendship, and that 100% of our funds go to our cause.

Our school supply project went great in September--all 600 children received their school supplies. We purchased art supplies for the preschoolers & necessary supplies for the teachers. We even had 500.00 to put back in the bank, which we will use for our upcoming school supply project in February. We still need about $1500 for the upcoming project-- so if you are looking for a last minute Xmas gift for the "person who has everything" or would like to donate in the new year, please make the difference:

http://www.nicaraguaschoolproject.org/contact.html
Just contact me as well so I can keep track of donations:)

I have updated the blog a few times this fall--so have a look! http://www.nicaraguaschoolproject.org (media page.) I am quite active on social media with the project- so jump on board if you're looking to become more involved.

Twitter: @Nicasmiles

I appreciate all your contributions and interest in our little project- which will be turning 4 years old this February 2012. It's amazing what can happen when you have a dream.

Muchas Gracias & Feliz Navidad. Kathryn & Andres & Juan Carlos

Sonrisas y Risas

Smiling is the International Language of Gratitude

It’s true. For the last 4 years, our project “Nicaragua School Project” has demonstrated this over and over again. The traditional form of “thank-you” is never necessary; their genuine smiles sum it up for us, we have done our jobs.

Our project equips 600 children with necessary school supplies in El Pantanal, Nicaragua. We specialize in “lifting the burden off the parents” and giving children the opportunity to make the most of their educations. We have seen an increase in attendance at our two schools over the last four years—Nicaragua School Project is making small, but important waves.

A little goes a long way. 100% of funds go directly to the project; we are 100% volunteer.
http://www.nicaraguaschoolproject.org

Pencils for Smiles!

Pencils will be given as gratitude to those who donate to the Nicaragua School Project. Visit us at Royal Roads University in Victoria BC this coming week: from the 21st-25th. From 8-9am & 11-1pm in the Habitat cafeteria. Pencils make amazing/socially responsible stocking stuffers. Join the spirit! 100% of donations will be used to purchase school supplies for 600 children in Nicaragua.

The Nicaragua School project is having its 4th birthday this coming February 2012. Thanks to all our amazing supporters. We are all about friendship.
http://www.nicaraguaschoolproject.org

Dorothy takes on Nicaragua School Project!

I am stuck in Canada, and I will not be able to lead the Nica School Project to success this coming August. Luckily, my wonderful friend, Dorothy, volunteered to take on the big responsibility this August. I know that with Dorothy’s help, the project will go great!

Dorothy is a teacher from Northern California; she decided to move to Granada, Nicaragua for six months to soak up the culture and language. She has been a great help at Casa Xalteva—teaching English classes to children and teenagers who attend the before and after school program. Dorothy worked as a teacher in juvenile hall in Northern California, thus; she lends this expertise and sense of patience to the Nicaraguan kids that she works with.

She has grown a deep love for Nicaragua and was excited to offer her assistance to our project this coming August. Dorothy will work with Juan Carlos and Andres to make sure all 600 students receive their proper school supply packets. I imagine the humorous chemistry between all three of these people will make it a delightful experience!

We have almost met our donation goal—but are still in need of a little bit more. Can you help?? A little goes a long way!

http://www.nicaraguaschoolproject.org/helpourcause.html

In memory of a friend.

Every year, I wander the streets of Granada with purpose. I’m there to fulfill the needs of my non-profit project; a project that raises money to support 600 Nicaraguan school children. Along the way, I always manage to pick up my fair share of local and foreign friends. This year has been no exception.

I met a girl named Sara Deckert from the USA; she was studying Spanish at Casa Xalteva for several months. A lovely blonde haired, blue eyed girl—the Nicaraguans told me her Spanish was rather impressive. After some time, we had coffee at my favorite cafe in Granada, and we got to know each other. She, like me, was in love with Spanish. Her passion for learning every detail, every expression, and every Spanish joke gave her purpose; driving her to venture off abroad to learn it more in depth.

She also got to know my friend Dorothy who, like Sara, was living in Granada long term in order to pick up on the language and culture of Nicaragua. After I went back to Canada, Dorothy and Sara continued to spend time together—reflecting on the ups and downs of adapting to another culture. We had all planned to meet up together the next year in Granada, a reunion of sorts.

Sara is proof that taking the plunge and following your passion is a must. A few weeks after returning home from Nicaragua, she was fatally struck by a drunk driver. I can’t begin to understand the pain and extreme sadness that her family is feeling. All I know, and all I can offer, is that Sara finished her life doing something she loved—soaking up all those beautiful Spanish sounds, expanding her vocabulary. I know it made her truly happy. Rest in peace, Sara.