Empowering a People: The Nicayuda Story

As our group of summer volunteers spent more time in the communities and working with classes, we naturally began to feel strong connections to certain people and families. A group of friends that sat together at a table in the back of our Advanced English class included Gabriel, Norman, Fabricio, Adrianna, Elaina, and Aldo. They were all about our age, give or take a few years, and are eager and rather accelerated learners.

Usually we had a lesson planned and then had an alternate lesson for when this table finished the exercises. Often, however, normal conversation about life, language, and anything else that could come to mind would float into the mix. I sat at this table from time to time to help with the lesson and grew to really enjoy their company. Other summer volunteers also became quite close to them and soon they were frequenting our house to just hang out, get guitar lessons, or play catchphrase.

One afternoon this group of friends came over to tell us about a non-for-profit organization that they had started themselves in the Managua area. They call themselves 'Nicayuda' which is a portmanteau word combining 'Nicaragua' and the verb 'ayudar' for 'to help.' Nicayuda is an NGO composed of 7 young Nicaraguans who acknowledge a need for public preschools in their country.

There are a number of good private preschools in Managua but they are also immensely expensive. Thus, Nicayuda has opened a couple public preschools in which young impoverished children can begin learning. That week, after hearing these friend of ours talk about their NGO, a group of the MPI (Manna Project International) Summer Volunteers paid a visit to the preschools. Unfortunately on that day, the preschools were closed due to the swine flu scare. We did get to see the facilities a bit though and later I saw some pictures of Nicayuda's endeavors.

Much of what I have been learning from my time in Nicaragua is the concept of empowerment. We teach classes and work and give to the communities of Cedro Gallan and Chikilistagua not for our own gain and not to just provide classes but instead to provide a means for opportunity. By learning how to read and by learning English, people from this community might be able to use these skills to find open doors waiting for them. I have been asked again and again about whether NGOs should occupy a constant presence in developing nations. While I don't believe they should create too strong of a sense of dependence, if they are indeed doing good work then the good must continue. As I pondered this question, however, the ideal situation continues to come to mind: Nicaraguans serving Nicaraguans.

That's a hard concept to wrap one's mind around considering how poor most of Nicaragua is; How can the poor help the poor? Will we simply ask the 'not as poor' to help the 'dirt poor?'

Nicayuda fits perfectly into this model of Nica's helping Nica's. These young people aren't starting an NGO to boost resumes or merely because they are bored and have nothing better to do. These new friends of ours are putting themselves on the line and meeting a need with their own abilities. They are currently working on gathering resources and aid to improve the conditions of three preschools in the Managua area. If you are interested in learning more information, please friend Nicayuda Nicaragua on Facebook or email Norman at nicayudaconorg@gmail.com.