Friday, January 29, 2010

Here's a presentation about ANF for those who want more information on our programs and projects.



View more presentations from anf.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Check out our newest video. We hope it'll give you an idea of what kinds of projects ANF carries out each year and how we go about achieving our mission of aiding Nicaragua's poor.


Monday, January 18, 2010

New ANF website!

Hello, all!

Please check out our newly redesigned website! We've worked hard to bring you the newest content and latest news on what we're up to in Nicaragua. On the new site, we've added new stories, new summaries for every one of our programs, statistics on Nicaragua and how many impoverished Nicaraguans we've helped in the past year. Of course, we've also added detailed information on what YOU can do to help our effort, too! -- www.AidNicaragua.org


Comment to tell us what you think of the redesign!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Volunteers build latrines in Telica, Leon

GUEST POST BY NICOLAS ARGUELLO, ANF's Project Development Manager


The inhabitants of the Telica Volcano in León live under extreme poverty, without access to electricity, sanitation, healthcare, sustainable sources of nutrition, and even water. And to top it all off, the community, which is nearly 1,000 meters above sea level, is virtually inaccessible by vehicle, adding an extra layer of difficulty to all development projects in the region.

Nonetheless, a León-based NGO called Nuevas Esperanzas (New Hopes) has been working tirelessly to bring solutions to these destitute and vulnerable communities. Following a rainwater collection project, Nuevas Esperanzas enlisted the help of ANF to offer the beneficiaries a basic measure of sanitation: latrines.

In July 2009, eight college students and an ANF team leader travelled to León to participate in a latrine-building brigade. The students donated half of the total project cost and ANF sponsored the other half. Requiring intense manual labor, the weeklong brigade consisted in the construction of 26 latrines on the slopes of the Telica Volcano.

The first day was especially tiresome. After walking uphill for three miles and drinking half the water available for the full working day, the team of volunteers finally reached the community only to see piles of constructions materials – cement mix, shovels, picks, buckets, sand, bricks, etc. – waiting to be used. After a warm welcome and a show of immense gratitude by the community members, the team began to work. Still not understanding the mechanics of latrine building, the team was more unproductive than anticipated.

To compensate, the team worked extra hard for the rest of the week, working side by side with the project beneficiaries. Soon enough, progress was at schedule and the volunteers were becoming increasingly efficient. By the end of the week, all 26 latrines were completed and the volunteers took the last day off to say good-bye, organizing a small celebration involving a piñata, food, music, and dancing.

ANF’s work in the region is far from over. More water and sanitation projects are under way. We just need more supporters who are willing to help ANF bring effective aid to Nicaragua’s most vulnerable.