I spent the day today volunteering photography for a local non-profit here in Esteli, Nicaragua, called Instituto de Formacion Permanente. Among the many things they do in the city and the region, they have a Saturday day camp for children. I joined them in the city at 8am, and we took a packed bus just past the outskirts of Esteli, to their camp. (Remember those schoolbuses you and I rode in the 70′s and 80′s? Well, they migrate south after retirement in the US, and get in a good 20 or more years of service down here in Latin America.)
At the camp, they have two main focuses. The first period is broken into two groups of younger and older children. This morning, they spent the time learning about good communication skills, skills that can help improve their relationships at home now and in the future. After that, we had snacks of a chicken-spread sandwich and a rice drink. Next, the kids were broken up into interest groups. This included cooking (they made papaya marmalade), gardening, dancing, English, and paper crafts. There was also time for sports and relaxing between things. Finally, we all received a very hearty meal of rez, rice, beans, tortillas, maduros (fried mature plantains), and rice drink.
While INSFOP’s reach is quite large in the region, they have no website, and we’re hoping these images will help them communicate what they do to their supporters, and show them what a great time the kids have in their care.
by fritzphoto
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