Rockin' for the Cause

On Saturday October 24th 2009, we had a very wonderful party for my Dad's 60th birthday. All our friends, family, and loved ones showed up to pay respect and have some fun! We also had a donation jar for the project: Nicaragua School Project Society. I am happy to report that we raised 2200 dollars for the project. Thank you so much for your generosity!! What an amazing night... Not to mention, my Uncle's band rocked the show!

Also, I have had some people ask me about whether or not I could give receipts in the future for donations. I am working on that right now! I will let you know and hopefully by 2010 (or sooner) I can make that charitable status possible.

Our website is being build as we speak.. I will definetely post an update to let our followers know how to check it out.

thanks!! Kathryn & the Nicaragua School Project Crew

Also I would like to thank: Deborah, Jim, Katie, & Tara for agreeing to be on the board of directors for this society.

We are incorporated!

I am happy to report that this project Si Quieres, Pueden Reir is now incorporated under the Society Act of BC. We have incorporated it under the name : NICARAGUA SCHOOL PROJECT SOCIETY. Unfortunately, we were unable to use the spanish name which remains very important since Juan Carlos came up with it. I like to think that the project now has a joint name, kind of like what happens in an epic union of marriage. Si Quieres, Pueden Reir-Nicaragua School Project Society.

We continue to grow, and I promise more exciting endeavours in the future!

lots of Si Quieres Action!!

Although I haven't written in a while, there is lots of movement happening with this project.

Juan Carlos is currently finishing up delivering and supplying all the children in El Pantanal with their second shipment of school supplies for 2009. HOORAY! I should have some pictures available for viewing soon.

In a month or two, we will be launching our official website. Don't worry the blog will still be up and running for regular updates. This is pretty exciting. I am working with my friend Jacquie Troy on this endeavour. She is an up and coming webdesigner and fashionista. I have no doubt that her creative flare will light up our website.

And even more exciting... I hope that we will become a NON-PROFIT sooner than later. The government documents have been signed, sealed, and will be delivered soon!!

Keep In Touch and To be continued...

Kathryn

Just a quick message to say we are still alive!!

felicidades Andres!!

My partner in crime, Andres.. welcomed his second child into the world the other day. A little baby girl. Im so happy for him and his wife. He said he wanted a little girl, so he got his wish.

this is what school supplies are made of..

COLD HARD CASH-> Sent from Canada to Nicaragua!! I used Western Union to wire down about 1000 canadian dollars (which is kind of a rip off, unfortunately.) I took it upon myself to make a $64.00 contribution to the project by paying for the Western Union charge of sending the money internationally myself. Within seconds, Juan Carlos was able to pick up the money. He already had 200.00 US in Nicaragua (long story...) but, he currently has about 1100US plus some left over supplies from February 2009 to make the project a success this August 2009.

I really wish I was there to help. If there is anyone in Nicaragua or Casa Xalteva that reads this blog, please feel free to help with the purchase, creation of packages, and delivery by talking to either Juan Carlos or Andres at Casa Xalteva. You can look at my links if you need more information about Casa Xalteva.. It is located in Granada Nicaragua, half a block from the church of the same name (La Iglesia Xalteva.)

Stay tuned for pictures!

It's about that magical time..

HEY!
So, remember how I said that we would be supplying those adorable brown eyed beauties with school supplies coming up this month? Well it is about to happen.

Here is the lowdown: I saved a chunk of donations to be able to supply the kids for a second time this year. I am going to be sending money down to Juan Carlos so that he can take care of bussiness. I have no doubts in my mind that he will take on the project with grace without my help (who needs that silly gringa anyways?) We should be able to supply each child in Jose de La Cruz Mena once again. Juan Carlos will be taking photos, so I will hopefully be able to post some updated photos from the project. I might get teary eyed, knowing I wasn't able to help this time! My project (my baby) is growing up and isn't needing me as much anymore.. hehe.

So, keep in mind that the new goal is to supply these children twice a year. If we make more money, we will create new projects, possibly help more schools.. So I highly encourage people to donate to us this upcoming year and before. I hope to be able to get back to Nicaragua for 2 weeks in February to supply the kids and possibly (hopefully) think up some new projects in the community.

Also, good news... I got into grad school at Royal Roads. I am taking a program called:MA in Professional Communication specializing in Intercultural and International communication. I know this is the right path for me because when I was asked by a career councelor what I generally wanted to do, I answered by saying... "working with people of different cultures". Im not 100% sure where this will take me, but I know that Royal Roads is a great school and I will be able to find out about all the possibilities out there. I believe that this project "Si Quieres..." is part of the reason I got in!

Also: because of Alicia of Studio Red Dot, who wrote me an amazing reference letter about our time shooting the documentary. She claims it will be done soon :) Im excited to see it and I will surely be blogging about it when it is all done and ready for viewers.

thanks.
A little project that has gone along way....

Kathryn
DALE PUES (that is what they would say in GRANADA)

NEVER ending need in Nicaragua!

I have been getting lots of emails and facebook messages asking me about what kind of volunteer opportunities there are in the Granada area. They are simply endless! I highly encourage people to try out volunteering, there are so many great options for everyone. Try Casa Xalteva: they are always needing volunteer english teachers, as well as volunteers to work helping young children with homework. Donna Tabor is also a great volunteer resource in Granada, Nicaragua. She is the founder of "Building New Hope" and she can hook you up with a great volunteer job. Both these organizations are listed under LINKS on my blog page!

Don't forget that money donations are always a great way to help, if you can't make it down south. We are always collecting donations for our project, "SI QUIERES, PUEDEN REIR." We will be supplying our wee ones twice a year now. Which is a pretty hardy goal.

Thank you for your continued support. We hope to keep our project going even during really tough economic times. As little or as much as you can give can make a huge difference.

thanks!!