What We Do
Rancho Grande Initiative
The main focus of Project Nicaragua at Ohio State is the Rancho Grande Initiative, where we work to develop a destitute region through promoting health, expanding education, creating economic empowerment, and researching nutrition. Rancho Grande is a rural impoverished community in Northeast Nicaragua that was devastated by the recent bankruptcy of local coffee plantations, and now faces high rates of malnutrition, limited career opportunities, and no option for higher education. The Ohio State chapter collaborates with the community-based non-profit Amor en Acción to target these issues through work with Amor en Acción’s agricultural and technical school Tierras Prometidas, two feeding centers for children, and other developing community projects. Tierras Prometidas agricultural and technical school instructs students aged 12 to 19 on how to raise nutritious crops and care for livestock and thus sustainably feed themselves and their families. The Ohio State chapter provides educational tools and farming supplies for the school, and recently sent a team of members to the school to teach basic English and computer skills. Project Nicaragua at Ohio State also works closely with the Rancho Grande and Cerro Verde feeding centers, which provide daily nutritious meals to malnourished children aged a few months through 12 years. The food produced at the farming school is used at the feeding center in a sustainable circular model. In addition, the OSU team works to support and develop markets for handmade products made by the women and girls of a sewing and craft school. The Sewing and Craft Program was recently established in Rancho Grande by Amor en Acción, in hopes of creating opportunities for economic empowerment. This chapter of Project Nicaragua hopes to reduce childhood malnutrition in Rancho Grande by coupling sustainable income opportunities with education on nutrition-promoting behavior.
In the fall of 2010, the OSU chapter donated 12 laptops and 700 packets of seeds, and helped to raise about $38,000 for funds needed for the construction of a permanent agricultural school in Rancho Grande, Nicaragua. During the 2010 trip, an OSU Project Nicaragua team of students spent two weeks in Rancho Grande teaching English and computer lessons to the students of the Tierras Prometidas farming school. Additionally, several students conducted a research study to assess nutrition and food security in Rancho Grande to measure the impact of the feeding centers and agricultural school on the community. Over 80 community mothers were interviewed about barriers in access to nutritious foods for their children, and initial results show that though mothers have some knowledge of the nutritious value of foods, a lack of a stable income source leaves most families unable to purchase such foods. Thus, the Ohio Chapter is currently focusing on creating opportunities for sustainable economic development in the community in addition to increasing access to nutrition education.
Collaboration with CENAO
Project Nicaragua at Ohio State University also works to raise funds and acquire much needed medical supplies for El Centro Nacional de Oftalmologia (CENAO), the only public ophthalmology clinic and teaching hospital in the country. Dr. Thomas Mauger and Dr. Rebecca Kuennen of the OSU Department of Ophthalmology advise the Ohio State chapter, and both have made multiple medical mission trips to Nicaragua to provide essential cataract and corneal transplant surgeries to the neediest citizens.
During the 2009 trip, several founding members traveled to Nicaragua to establish a collaborative relationship with El Centro Nacional de Oftalmologia (CENAO), the only public ophthalmology clinic and teaching hospital in the country. Members from the Ohio State team observed ophthalmology surgeries in the hospital and initiated discussions with Nicaraguan Ophthalmology residents and hospital administrators about the challenges the hospital faces and potential channels of assistance from the Ohio State chapter.
Events on Campus
Project Nicaragua at Ohio State University holds fundraisers on campus and works events at Nationwide Arena in downtown Columbus to benefit the Rancho Grande Initiative and CENAO.
Project Nicaragua collaborated with several physicians to host a fundraising dinner and silent auction for Amor en Acción on October 31st, 2010. The purpose of the event was to raise the remainder of funds needed to construct a permanent agricultural and technical school in Rancho Grande. Thanks to generous contributions, the event raised almost $38,000, reaching our goal. Construction is currently underway for the Tierras Prometidas school building.
Project Nicaragua held its first annual Euchre Tournament on January 22nd, 2011. The event was a huge success, with over $600 raised that will go towards establishing a bakery in Rancho Grande, which will be a sustainable source of employment for the community.
During Spring Quarter, Project Nicaragua at Ohio State University, in collaboration with Weddington Society and BBQ Qlub, will be hosting a drive for eyeglasses to benefit those in need in Nicaragua. There will be a kick-off event on April 11th on the Oval to begin the quarter-long event, and bins will be placed through out campus to collect glasses during the spring. Check out the Upcoming Events section for more information.