It's not to late...

ITS NOT TOO LATE TO APPLY FOR SUMMER INTERNSHIPS

There are still many opportunities availabe for June, July, and August internships. We especially need interns rural health clinics, children's nutrition centers, youth projects, - however many other opportunities are still available. Contact us for more information.

Inspirational Quotes

Marian Wright Edelman:
It's time for greatness -- not for greed. It's a time for idealism -- not ideology. It is a time not just for compassionate words, but compassionate action.

Martin Luther King, jr.:
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.

Spinoza:
Peace is not the absence of war; it is a virtue; a state of mind; a disposition for benevolence; confidence; and justice.

-- Mahnaz Afkhami
..Any definition of a culture of peace must address the problem of achieving justice for communities and individuals who do not have the means to compete or cope without structured assistance and compassionate help.

-- Adolfo Perez Esquivel
We must apply our humble efforts to the construction of a more just and humane world. And I want to declare emphatically: Such a world is possible. To create this new society, we must present outstretched and friendly hands, without hatred and rancor, even as we show great determination and never waver in the defense of truth and justice. Because we know that we cannot sow seeds with clenched fists. To sow we must open our hands.

~ Doris Haddock (Granny D)
Never be discouraged from being an activist because people tell you that you'll not succeed. You have already succeeded if you're out there representing truth or justice or compassion or fairness or love."

-- Frederik W. de Klerk
Peace does not fare well where poverty and deprivation reign. It does not flourish where there is ignorance and a lack of education and information. Repression, injustice and exploitation are inimical with peace. Peace is gravely threatened by inter-group fear and envy and by the unleashing of unrealistic expectations. Racial, class and religious intolerance and prejudice are its mortal enemies."

-- Mairead Corrigan Maguire
If we want to reap the harvest of peace and justice in the future, we will have to sow seeds of nonviolence, here and now, in the present."

Nelson Mandela
Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life . . .

Dorothy Thompson
Courage, it would seem, is nothing less than the power to overcome danger, misfortune, fear, injustice, while continuing to affirm inwardly that life with all its sorrows is good; that everything is meaningful even if in a sense beyond our understanding; and that there is always tomorrow.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu
"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor."

Nelson Mandela
Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life . . .

Nelson Mandela
In this new century, many of the world's poorest countries remain imprisoned, enslaved and in chains. They are trapped in the prison of poverty. It is time to set them free. Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.

-- Marie Curie
"You cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individuals. To that end each of us must work for his or her own improvement, and at the same time share a general responsibility for all humanity, our particular duty being to aid those to whom we think we can be most useful."

Helen Keller
“Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other's welfare, social justice can never be attained.”

-- Hafsat Abiola
Peace comes from being able to contribute the best that we have, and all that we are, toward creating a world that supports everyone. But it is also securing the space for others to contribute the best that they have and all that they are.

Jose Marti
Happiness exists on earth, and it is won through prudent exercise of reason, knowledge of the harmony of the universe, and constant practice of generosity.

We are free, but not to be evil, not to be indifferent to human suffering, not to profit from the people, from the work created and sustained through their spirit of political association, while refusing to contribute to the political state that we profit from.

Jose Marti
It is a sin not to do what one is capable of doing.

Jose Marti
If I survive, I will spend my whole life at the oven door seeing that no one is denied bread and, so as to give a lesson of charity, especially those who did not bring flour.

Jose Marti
Happiness exists on earth, and it is won through prudent exercise of reason, knowledge of the harmony of the universe, and constant practice of generosity.

-- Ed Begley, Jr.
We, who have so much, must do more to help those in need. And most of all, we must live simply, so that others may simply live.

-- 14th Dalai Lama
"Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where the people are fed, and where individuals and nations are free."

La Solidaridad Housing Project

La Solidaridad started as a squatters community in Granada, near Lake Cocibolca. People built their homes out of cardboard, plastic, tin...whatever materials they could find. In the rainy season the community would flood, creating a public health hazaard. There was no running water or sanitation systems.
Today, with the help of AMNLAE, The Casa de la Mujer, and funding from various international organizations, many families have built their new homes. They have septic systems, running water, and electricity. They filled in the land and elevated the homes so there is no longer the risk of flooding.
In April, they will receive funding for 30 new homes. This is one of the housing brigade projects that volunteers can help with.
Interns are also needed to give workshops on community organizing, hygene, environmental health, vocational training and work with youth in the community.














A family waiting to receive their home. The new homes being built.

A FEW QUOTES...

I have known Carrie McCracken (Viva's Program Coordinator) for two years and she arranged an experience
for my (college) students last summer. Carrie is reliable, well-connected,
and the experience was excellent for the students. I highly recommend
Carrie and her work.
Prof. Christine Rack, University of New Mexico

...Thanx for all your help these past couple of weeks! It was so mportant to have you there to debrief and laugh with when i needed it.
Grace Campbell, Short-term Volunteer, Feb. 2008

My weekend excursions, my work and observations at Casa de la Mujer, and most of all my English class were wonderful, enlightening and eye opening experiences.
Zack Cuddy, Intern, January 2008

My time in Nicaragua was probably one of the best experiences of my life. Definately life changing.

The staff- especially Carrie were great. She checked in on me all the time and was always there when I needed her. She helped me design my projects and helped negotiate them with the organization. She also gave me evaluations and suggestions on how to improve my work which really helped.
Sara Ross, Intern, December 2007

Housing Brigade - Call for Volunteers and Donations

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Woman and child receiving her lot where she will build her future home

JOIN US TO HELP BUILD HOMES FOR NICARAGUAN WOMEN!

Volunteers of all ages and abilities are needed to help build homes for Nicaraguan maquila workers.

Make a difference in the lives of Nicaraguan women and their children.

Project details:

Dates: July 21^st – 28^th

Location: Granada, Nicaragua

Volunteer responsibilities: Work 5 half days per week in all aspects of construction (painting, digging, building, etc.)

Cost: $350

Fees include:

· 6 nights lodging with a Nicaraguan family in the colonial center of Granada with all meals and laundry service included.

· Airport pick-up and drop-off

· Afternoon activities including a tour of the city, a relaxing day at the Laguna de Apoyo, and an evening at the spectacular Catalina Mirador.

· And most importantly – donations of supplies including cement and blocks

· Monetary donations to help build a daycare center for working mothers.

For more information or to reserve your space, please contact Viva Nicaragua! at info@nicaraguainternships.org

FIGHT AGAINST THE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN

Did you know that Granada, Nicaragua has become one of Central America's main sex tourism destinations?

Thirty-five percent of this city's sex workers are minors between the ages of 12 and 16.

JOIN A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT GRANADA'S YOUTH

The Comission Against the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents works to protect all youth against sexual violence including prostitution, pornography, sex tourism, and sex traficking. They conduct research, provide counseling, prosecute offenders, monitor and prosecute business that violate the law against sexual exploitation, and educate. Viva Nicaragua! supports the Comission's efforts and is currently recruiting interns to work in all areas.

CALL FOR INTERNS AND VOLUNTEERS

VOLUNTEERS AND INTERNS NEEDED
Teach English for Tourism Course
Viva Nicaragua! Intern Zack Cuddy is implementing an ENGLISH FOR TOURISM course and interns are needed to continue the program throughout the year.
Give classes 3 - 5 afternoons per week to local youth. Provide young people with the skills needed to gain employment in Granada's growing tourism industry.