This project is scheduled to be completed Saturday, March 8th 2008.

Progress photos from Pedro Lopez the engineer on the water pressure improvement and repair project, with observers.

Looks like this is part of the repair project.

This is the new water tower in the 20's.

Nicaragua Projects' Status - January 2008

Following is a status of projects that we are involved with:

Nuevo Amanecer Water Project
Water is flowing but an additional $4000 may be required to replace piping to the 20's and add an additional holding tank and 2 towers. Latest news is that everyone is paying their water bill albeit some are 2 to 3 months behind.

Nuevo Amanecer Water - Solar Power
We are looking into the possibility of replacing the generator with solar panels. We need to establish a schedule to test for arsenic testing.

Biointensive Gardening - Introduction
Contact has been made with Jerry Arguello of Managua who apprenticed with Ecology Action in California for 6 months. He is very interested in establishing the method both in Chacraseca and Nuevo Amanecer. Biointensive produces 4 to 6 times conventional methods and at the same time builds up the soil instead of depleting it. No plan or schedule as yet is available.

Biontensive Farm - Nuevo Amanercer
The idea would be to create a biointensive farm that would provide for 100 % of the food needs of Nuevo Amanecer and enough additional food to sell and derive an income. The author has asked to be advised if any land is for sale but a calculation needs to be done on how much land is required and what is the initial investment required. The structure of the endeavor would also need to be discussed with the villagers and agreed upon.

Solidarity Bracelets
Pete White wants to market, through SF60K, bracelets made by Nuevo Amanecer(NA) women with the twist of "buy a bracelet, feed a child". The idea was proposed to the village and was well received.

Hammock Project
The offered to NA to market their hammocks over the internet as a part time business. It was well received by the village but hammock making instructor was not able to make it to the village so another instuctor has been contacted and NA is waiting to firm up a training date to begin making hammocks.

Solar Cookers
Dick Wiltamuth has contacted a Nicaraguan group that makes solar cookers. FSF60K or SF60K plans to purchase 10 for distribution in NA or Chacraseca. Recipients have not been identified.

Solar Lighting for Casa Comunal at Nuevo Amanecer
Bob Skypala is working on specifications for solar powered lighting for the NA Casa Comunal.

Solar Kits for Houses
John O'Brian a SF60K alumni has access to a company that fabricates very inexpensive LED 2 bulb solar light kits for houses. We need to confirm price and delivery and determine if we should purchase and distribute some.

Water for Amatitan
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs is looking to expand their water project in Amatitan. Kate Shreck approached this author on any ideas that would help. We are going contact CHICA Group in Nicaragua to determine how much a study would cost to detrmine the best way to approach water for the entire "comarca" (county). This would be a project on a completely diffent scale than we are used to but it may prove to be a very effective way to create positive sustainable change.

Cooking Fuel from Corn Cobs
A professor at MIT claims to be able to use corn cobbs as cooking fuel. She specializes in low tech solutions to third world problems. Someone is needed to follow up to find out specifics. This author has contact information.

* * *

Most of our projects center on Nuevo Amanecer as we already have a relationship with that village and we have not yet attained our goal of economic sustainability for them, but we are looking to spread our efforts to other needy villages or perhaps adopt larger scale projects like water for Amatitan. As time goes by we will realize these goals and determine if we want to concentrate on a particular type of project or if a village by village approach is what we feel most comfortable with.

Open Letter - Introduction - George Pardo

Dear Friends,

I would like to take this opportunity to answer some questions that have been posed to me and some that I feel may be asked of me in the future. I am the chairman of the FSF60K Nicaragua Committee. At one of the first meetings of the Nicaragua Committee, Peter White said that the committee should have a chairman. Being fluent in Spanish and not seeing an overwhelming response to his request, I decided to volunteer. I ran unopposed for this position and was quickly confirmed by those present. I could be wrong but I don't think anyone else wanted the position. If anyone else wants to be considered to chair this committee or even co-chair please come forth and ask to be considered. I would certainly have no objection.

I have been asked by more than one person why I am willing to volunteer my time and energy to the needy in Nicaragua? What's in it for me? After all no one does something for nothing. I believe I have been already paid, and I am just working to repay what has been given to me. I have been paid in opportunity, blessed with a wonderful family and the ability learn. I was born in Cuba and up age five ate what the ration book allowed me to, used newspaper as toilet paper and had no toys because they simply did not exist. That was only the beginning of what would have been a life of poverty of material things but also a poverty of freedom. Instead, God chose to bring me to the United States, truly a land of opportunity and wealth, by world standards. Not to say that we are not plagued with our own problems in this country, but in spite of whatever problems we may have, we live in a great country. Having been given this great opportunity, the least I can do is to help others gain the opportunity to help themselves as I have been helped. I believe that with the knowledge and technology that the world has today there is no reason that poverty should exist from a resource point of view. I believe the problem is the distribution of resources and technology not the availability or quantity of resources.
I believe being chairman carries with it duties and responsibilities and I take responsibilities very seriously. The most important thing that the chairman can do is to keep everyone informed so everyone can feel part of the club's activities whether they are currently active or not. We all have busy lives with varying obligations. To that end I have set up this blog, so that at least once a month I will post the status of our current projects and and any other important information. I am also trying to establish discussion boards on the Internet to help us more efficiently discuss issues in light of our time limitations and geographic locations. Of course the chairman needs to help facilitate projects also. In addition, the chairman needs to establish the mission of the committee, as a reflection of the interests of the committee members. After various meetings it was decided that the focus of the the committee was economic development and sustainability. This would be in contrast to SF60K that focuses on relief. Needs are so great that sometimes it is required to provide relief before you can even start development efforts. Common sense, compassion and respect of the individual must be the basis of our efforts. Our mission should also be alive with the capability to change if required. This is a short introduction to very complex endeavors and issues but hopefully it has established a flavor for what we wish to do.

I also invite you to post your opinions, views or comments on this blog. Please let me know if you need help doing this.

Let me close this letter, by thanking all of you, for giving me the opportunity to be of service and work with such an outstanding group of citizens of the planet. May God bless our work and all of you.

Hi All

Just wanted to welcome all of you you to our blog. Feel free to post any news or ideas you want to share or comment on someone else's post. Enjoy!