Peaceworks

Our mission is to support grassroots community organizations in nicaragua as they work to overcome a history of poverty, violence against women and environmental destruction. The following organizations we support are: see schedule ofedicamp - this organization supports small farmers and agricultural communities in northern nicaragua. Peaceworks provided $28,678 in support for various projects, notably construction of a water supply and distribution system for a community near cusmapa, providing fuel efficient ovens, and planting and promoting small organic farms, including teaching sustainable farming methods. Some funds ($1,233) was also provided for operational support. Inhijambia - this organization in managua helps teenage girls and boys and young women and men to recover and move on from situations of domestic violence, drug use and/or life on the streets of managua. A safe location is provided to these young people, counseling is provided and life and job skills are taught. A key focus is providing a safe environment for at risk young women and often their children, which includes housing and education. $10,355 was provided for operational and salary support. $4,139 was given for scholarships for teens and young women in the program to obtain higher education. $9,000 was given to help purchase and start up a small farm outside managua which will help provide income to inhijambia, help teach agricultural and gardening skills to youth in the program, and of course provide some fresh, healthy food for youth. Axayacatl - this is an organization founded and run by women in masaya, nicaragua, with a purpose of supporting women who face domestic violence. Counseling and legal support is provided, and assistance is provided in helping the women change their circumstances, such as revised living situations or employment. Axayacatl also helps improve the economic livelihoods of women in rural areas around masaya through such things as a sewing cooperative, micro-credit loans, supporting animal husbandry programs that can provide income (e.g. Chickens, goats, rabbits, pigs) and providing bicycles for transport. In 2017 Peaceworks financial support ($29,820) enabled axayacatl to construct a new building in masaya for meetings, training sessions and sheltering of women at risk from domestic violence. The building is now largely complete and will be finished in 2018. Peaceworks also gave axayacatl $8,130 to help cover program expenses and salaries for staff.el porvenir- Peaceworks delegations to nicaragua, we trek up the side of a beautiful mountain to visit the el porvenir cooperative. We get to see for ourselves how the cooperative's 43 families plant, grow, nurture, pick, and process the fuel that drives Peaceworks. We get to know these families who have become our dear friends in the spirit of peace and solidarity once fighting on opposite sides of nasty, us-funded illegal war, these former contra, sandinista, and even somoza-era national guard soldiers now building a future together at el porvenir.juan vernado turtles - the palo de oro ecotourism project and sea turtle hatchery in the isla juan venado nature reserve was created to provide employment for local families, while protecting endangered sea turtles and their offspring. The project currently provides tours and offers lodging for visitors and volunteers, while employing 13 local families who walk the 18km of beach front nightly to find and protect the turtles and their eggs from predators.la tierra - mariposa spanish school & tierra in san juan de la concepcion. We will visit the school and one of their projects, tierra (los pipitos), a program for children with disabilities that Peaceworks has supported. Humanitarian aid - for the past two decades, Peaceworks has sent twice yearly shipments of donated goods to our partners in nicaragua. We are fortunate to work with local ngo's that translate our good intentions and assistance into life affirming services and projects. El porvenir coffee collective, cusmapa pine needle weaving coorperative, comedor infantil - gaspar garcia laviana (dona coco), other cash contributions/nica projects,community programs (nj peace action, pax christi) and operational program expenses.