2009 Program Numbers

Now that we've reached the home stretch for the Annual Report 2009, the program and projects numbers have been updated to reflect ANF's work throughout all of last year. The ANF website has also been updated with these numbers, so be sure to check out the website for more information on any programs of interest to you.

ANF's programs and projects in 2009:

• Creation of 140 jobs through the provision of training, technical assistance, and capital in the areas of sustainable agriculture and animal husbandry.
• A daily plate of food was given to 68,788 people, including students, nursing mothers, and senior citizens.
• 1,129 schools received basic school supplies for each student, benefitting 158,454 children.
• 240 schools received vitamin-fortified cereal or other nutritious food aid for school feeding programs, benefiting 50,019 students.
• Distribution of medicines and medical supplies to 142 dispensaries, health centers, and hospitals, assisting in the treatment and recovery of thousands of patients.
• Construction of 1,592 houses, benefitting 9,821 people.
• Construction of 250 latrines, benefitting 1,552 people.
• Construction of 9 wells in communities affected by water scarcity.

For the full list of ANF's 2009 program numbers, please visit the What We Do section of our website where we show how our work relates to the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals.

AR09 update

After redesigning the ANF website, we've been focusing our efforts on getting our official 2009 numbers together for the new Annual Report.

These numbers take some time to prepare because they are looked over various times, making sure that the amount of centers and beneficiaries that we served in the past year are indeed the correct amount. After our internal and external audits are complete, the Annual Report 2009 will be prepared and released!

For now, check out this old ANF video we've uploaded on Vimeo. It's an oldie (the logo and contact information at the end are definitely out of date), but the message still rings true. Enjoy!

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

View more presentations from anf.

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.

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!

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.

United Way's Latin America Regional Meeting in Sao Paulo Brazil

"Tudo bem?"

Everything alright?

I don't think I've ever been asked that question as many times as I was asked during my 5-day trip to Sao Paulo, Brazil.

I was there to meet with representatives from the 11 organizations that represent United Way Worldwide in Latin America. Since 2001, ANF has represented United Way of Nicaragua.

During my trip, I heard success stories about innovative fundraising techniques and ways to motivate volunteers; I listened to horror stories about failed relationships with donors; I learned ofpromising projects that will bring education, good health, and economic stability to thousands of people throughout the region; and I shared my experiences working toward the same goal.

I brought all that information home with me to Nicaragua - to push ANF forward, to better fulfill our mission, and to better serve Nicaragua's poor. Hopefully, I'll have some new success stories to tell next year...