Donations are a wonderful way to help out with our projects whether you are coming to visit us soon, currently staying at La Mariposa or once you have gone back home. Remember that your stay at La Mariposa is kind of like a donation in itself – with your income we not only are able to employ local people, but we support various environmental and educational projects in the community of La Concha. Even so, there are a number of other ways you can help out including contributing specific materials, or raising funds and awareness!
Material Donations
Many of the following donations can be brought with you or purchased here in Nicaragua:
- Books in Spanish: Children’s storybooks (sets of 6 are best, but individual copies are useful too, also Latin American content is great), novels and educational books, such as encyclopedias, atlases, animals, etc… for our educational projects. Books are often less expensive if purchased in United States, but they lack local context, so we try to have a balance between the two. Please remember that books in English can not be used in our educational projects.
- School supplies – paper (white, lined, colored), notebooks, pencils (colored too), markers, pens, scissors, erasers, pencil sharpeners – everything!
- Crafts and educational toys – coloring books, jump ropes, paints, puzzles, flash cards, games (Spanish!)
- Sports equipment – futbol sala size 4 balls, rubber kickballs, volleyballs, balls for field soccer, chin guards, knee guards, soccer jerseys (complete sets or individual) kids sizes S, M, L and adult sizes, XS, S, M, soccer shoes – large kids sizes to adults. NOTE: Nicaraguans are smaller built than your average North American; keep this in mind when selecting gear, such as chin guards and jerseys. For example, adult sizes L, XL for jerseys rarely fit anyone!
- Seeds – for our organic farms and community garden projects – These are very difficult to access in Nicaragua, please bring them with you!
- Medical supplies – for our local clinics that can always use additional resources
- Second-hand good quality clothes (for children or adults)
Raising awareness & funds
In the past people have provided donations and/or fundraised for a specific project or have given a general sum for wherever we see fit. We can also use donations of money to start new projects in the community too.
Here are some examples of what students have contributed:
- One of our animal loving students raised money for a two-day veterinary clinic for preventative care and sterilizations, ensuring two neighborhoods had healthier pets, and far fewer strays in the future!
- Two students were deeply affected by a trip up to our Panama Project. They saw the difficulties of obtaining fresh water for the school, which led them to generously pay $800 for two oxen and a cart. These oxen are now being taken care of by a local family who also uses them to carry water up to the school.
- A student donated $500 and the Mariposa doubled that amount in order to completely renew the roof at the Santiago project.
- Another group of students donated $200 to help complete the construction of a kitchen at Santiago to be used in a morning childcare program.
- Students have contributed sums to help complete the construction of a small library at Ruben Dario School.
- Three former Mariposa students raised money for Ruben Dario Primary School. One student wrote to friends and family and spoke at her Church to raise money. Another student sold popular baking mixes, while the third saved her own wages from part-time work to make a donation. All in all, the girls were able to fundraise $2500!
- One student taught salsa classes in the UK to raise money for Panama School – she raised enough to build the small classroom where the preschool project now operates.
- A very young student, with the help of her mother, wrote a children’s book about Panama School and revenues from copies sold have raised more than $200 for the school.
- Another student has returned to his local community college where he teaches and is working with the head of the student body to organize a fundraiser for Panama School.
