The Nicaragua Project Video

Posted by Eric Tindall 
on Nov 15, 2012
 

The 12 minute video Lorrie Douglas shown at the RCAAN meeting November 15, 2012.

The Nicaragua Project Web-Site.

What We Do

Intercultural Center and Hotel – Plan

  • Build an Intercultural Exchange Center and 24-bed hotel within the community of Catarina, Nicaragua. Catarina is famous for the magnificent view of El Mirador (Crater Lake) and is close to the International Airport and many nature sites.
  • The Center will provide visitors and locals with language education, meeting facilities, conferences, and a small outdoor amphitheater for presentations.
  • The Hotel includes a natural setting in a restful community, 2 blocks from the Mirador view, hiking, restaurant, private bathrooms with hot water, A/C, gift shop with local art, and transportation to and from the airport and tourist sites.
  • “Green” building standards will be employed with the most compatible structure for the culture and environment.
  • The Center will appeal to eco-tourists,Spanish immersion students, project groups, socially invested visitors, educators and researchers, artists and writers.

Phase I: Foundation – 2005-2011
Land purchased. Organizational structure established. Outreach, partnerships, & fundraising begun.

Phase II: Building – 2012-2013
Begin building cabanas, lobby, meeting rooms. Formalize partnerships.

Phase III: Additions – 2013-?
Center operational, add 2-story hotel units, pool, outdoor stage, & amenities.
Expand employment & training options

About

The Nicaragua Project is an effort by the nonprofit Capital to Bridge the Divide to develop sustainable economic development in Catarina, Nicaragua.

Our vision is to provide access to medical care, shelter, clothing, food, and education in developing countries, such as Nicaragua, in a sustainable way, while giving the opportunity for local people to be involved in providing voluntary assistance to those communities. At the same time, we will be educating the local community in the United States about issues involving impoverishment and global capital distribution, the plight of people in developing communities, and about the alleviation of poverty in those communities.

Our current goal is to create a Cultural Exchange Center and Eco-hotel in Nicaragua, which will be an example of social justice and peace in action. It will be a financially sound & sustainable, source of income for its employees; a source of funding for local community needs, and an active center of cultural exchange. As such, it will provide a place to share & learn. Amongst other activities, it will include an immersion Spanish language program, and provide English language lessons for people of all ages.

Mission Statement

Bridge the divide between wealthy and developing countries by providing capital, employment, and opportunities for cultural exchange.

Goals

1. Use and create capital to work for social justice in developing countries

a. Establish local business(es) that contribute to the community and provide economic growth
b. Develop a non-profit organization in the U.S. (with a Nicaraguan advisory group) to provide initial governance
c. Profit will be reinvested in the focus country.

2. Contribute to economic & social justice through local efforts in the developing countries.

a. Build & operate hotel/hostel/timeshare in Nicaragua
b. Provide employment opportunities, including those for women seeking independence from domestic violence

3. Provide opportunities for cultural exchange/dialogue

a. Offer a cultural immersion experience with potential educational component
b. Develop university links to Nicaragua for foreign exchange
c. Develop local cultural center

4. Build & maintain environmentally friendly structures

5. Evaluate model for replication in future in other areas / countries

Thank You The Nicaragua Project Web-Site for video and story.

The Nicaragua Project