Buildings, Challenged Brains and Full Bellies

Once a year I take over this platform and make this less about the people of Fondo Negro and more about what has been accomplished and where we hope to go in the next year within the organization itself. Some years my report is goal heavy, other years it’s dream heavy. I never know exactly where I’m going to go when I start writing so settle in a bit and we’ll see what we get up to this year.

In 2023, our focus was on getting more food to the team as well as the requested help for the teachers in improving literacy in the community. Both of these tasks were accomplished with a grand flourish. 

In the spring we were awarded a grant from Rotary District 5080 in the amount of $14,100 to put toward our literacy project. This means WiFi is still being provided to the schools so teachers can use online resources, literacy support for about twenty of the most needy students in the community this summer and a book for every student in Fondo Negro. A large undertaking when you consider the cost of books as well as the logistics of getting the books there. A book give away will take place this April in time for spring break. In addition, a team of Rotarians traveled to Fondo Negro and met with community leaders, students, teachers and families to discuss what could be done to support their endeavors in improving literacy. We also established a relationship with a woman named Priscilla from Nicaragua who is trained in teacher training and will travel to Fondo Negro this spring for six weeks to work with the teachers and students in an attempt to provide additional skills not already provided by their governmental training. The teachers are very excited about this opportunity and our hope is they will share with other teachers they know on the island so these skills will extend beyond just the support in Fondo Negro.

Food was provided in the new kitchen which was finished in the middle of the year. We were able to provide food twice a week during the summer when there is a higher amount of need based on the school not providing lunch to the kids which they do when school is in session. In addition, we made an additional day of food the focus of our October Breakfast and were able to raise exactly the amount we needed to provide food twice a week for the entirety of 2024! What a loaves and fishes moment!

Finally, 2023 saw multiple boys accepting Christ as their Savoir and the gift of a new Bible when they did so, thanks to an extremely generous donation from the Gideons. These Bibles became a treasure that was shared around the team and questions of Coach Elvin who serves as the spiritual leader for the team, were asked and answered, leading to more independent prayer before games and a focus on Christ in conversation. Just what we are hoping and praying for. What blessings abound!

Goals for 2024

2024 provides a new opportunity to plan for good things in Fondo Negro. We already have two amazing Impact Trips lined up; one that is focused on baseball and one that is focused on spreading the word of God and both with an eye on how we can lend a hand to those in need in Fondo Negro!

Our literacy project is ongoing with the grant requiring a wrap up by late spring. The books will be given away and the teachers efforts will be supported through a stipend to attend additional trainings on their free time. In addition, we hope to provide tutoring to students who are willing to give up their time on a consistent basis to learn to read and write. 

This will take a lot of time and energy and buy in from the community but I’m not ready to be done there. I would also like to provide/make:
1) Additional opportunities for the team to accept Christ
2) Improvements to the mission house, field and kitchen
3) Support current signed players. We currently have four players in a Major League Team’s system. For the three of them who are in the States, they need ongoing support when possible and this outreach should be part of our program
4) Recruit two new board members. (Is this you?)

If these goals as well as a successful completion of literacy project and our two or three Impact Trips are accomplished by the end of 2024, we will have knocked things out of the park, so to speak. I look forward to sharing as we move forward with excitement and anticipation. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you are interested in being part of this journey. We are always looking for people who can add passion and input to the program. Maybe that is where God is calling you this year? Will you step out?

With Strength and Courage (Fuerte y Valiente) until this time next year,
Kristin

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Come learn more about these kids and support the mission!

IMPACT TRIPS ARE HAPPENING!

We have a big calendar of trips ahead of us for 2024. The only thing it is missing is you! Please reach out by clicking the blue box above or let someone in the organization know you are interested in meeting the people of Fondo Negro. They want to meet you too!