It was a proud moment for 12 years old Alexander. A photograph taken by him was being sold for $100 – an almost unbelievably huge sum for him. But he was not the only one to see his hobby turn into a profitable venture.

On September 27th, every single of the 50 photographs taken by EI kids were sold successfully at the exhibition “Mi Camera Mi Mundo” in Toronto.

It was an event that brought great joy to these budding photographers – all under 16 years and struggling with the juggling act of school and work. These kids are part of EI’s initiative to teach photography to its kids. Their photos were chosen after long deliberation to be shown at this event held in Edward day gallery in Toronto.

Christine Hutchings, the main organizer of the event says that she had the idea of the event on seeing the photos taken by the EI kids in an exhibition in Granada.

Through the money raised through the sale of the children’s photos exhibition she wanted EI’s kids to be helped. This would be a wonderful affirmation of EI’s principle of children helping themselves through their education.

The photos at the exhibition were sold for prices between $30 to $340. To give an understanding of how significant this is for EI, consider this: $30 a month is what it takes to sponsor a kid in EI’s programs, including tutoring, emotional support, extra ciricular activities and school (and much more). 

All proceeds from the exhibition was to go to EI and she realized that this was no charity but “children sharing their world through their art and helping themselves and others.”  Christine was helped in the organization of the event by Sarah Lichter, Donna Griffith, Sylvia Verkley and 12 other volunteers.

One of the chief attractions of the Toronto exhibit was that the visitors to the event could actually talk to and see the children in Nicaragua. This was made possible through Skype hook up handled by Sandy Iverson .

Most visitors enjoyed the opportunity of talking with the little photographers! In fact seeing and chatting with the kids who had taken the photographs encouraged visitors to bid on the photos.

Alexander, who was very nervous before the Skype conference, ended up being so pleased with his speech in the event that he proudly declared “I did not mess up” to anyone who would listen in the EI office! All children gave fantastic speeches and emotions ran high throughout the Skype chat.

The evening was well attended and ended up entertaining people with its serving of snacks and wine along with live music. The live auctioneer added spice to the latter part of the evening and also succeeded in increasing the bids on a number of photos thus raising more money.

The organizers of this event feel that the concept was promising enough to be replicated in other cities. There are plans of repeating the exhibition in Toronto and other Canadian cities next year. If that happens, it will be a strong motivational factor for the kids to keep up their hard work.

- Neha Singh

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In Nicaragua 50% of the kids that start 1st grade never finish 5th grade. It is our goal to make this percentage drop significantly.

$30/month is what it takes us at Empowerment International to put a child in school. If you would like to help a child stay in school and get better life, please click on the link below or contact us -

In October of 2007, a new community approached Empowerment International to ask for its help.  Called,  Santa Ana de Malacos, this community is a very impoverished, small and rural farming community outside of Granada in Nicaragua.

The Need –

Although, Santa Ana lies only 10 Km from EI’s office, it is a world apart.  The standard of living is markedly lower in this community.  Most of the children  here do not have shoes, despite needing to cross over farm lands and giant puddles to reach school and work in the fields.

Most of the parents are illiterate and without a method of transportation.  They work as subsistence farmers, using horses to cultivate the fields, or in other manual-labor positions.  The community is serviced only by a 4WD dirt road, with no public transportation, and is frequently impassable in the rainy season. There are approximately 80 primary-school-aged children living in the Santa Ana Community. The community has a government-provided small primary school and two teachers, but does not have the financial or mentoring resources necessary to keep children in school.
The senior elementary school teacher there approached EI when he noticed a decrease in the numbers of students attending school as well as declining performance from those who did attend.  Upon visiting the community, the staff immediately recognized a great need.

The Solution -
In accordance with the generous 2008 Weyerhaeuser Family Foundation grant, EI identified, hired,  trained local Nicaraguan staff and arranged transportation to the village. Now our novel hands-on approach of daily home visits, training for the parents, and emphasis on long-term value of education is being implemented successfully.
We had two measurable goals for 2009, of which the first one has been met, as all the primary school-aged children in the community are now in school. We intend in the next year to continue to work with these children (and any children that are new to the community or ready to start school).

We have also identified a number of children whose families were able to support them so they could graduate from the local primary school and are now eligible to attend the more-distant high school, but are unable to manage transportation. Further, the closest high school is closing and the only one available will be almost 16 km away.

Being able to attend secondary school is a rare event in this community and we believe enabling these children to continue their education would be extremely beneficial to them and to the community.

Ultimately EI aims to foster a strong community value for education so that the community becomes self-sufficient and breaks its cycle of poverty.

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In Nicaragua 50% of the kids that start 1st grade never finish 5th grade. It is our goal to make this percentage drop significantly.

$30/month is what it takes us at Empowerment International to put a child in school. If you would like to help a child stay in school and get better life, please click on the link below or contact us -

Parents try very hard to ensure that their kids do not drop out of school. But what if the situation was reversed? What would a kid do if forced by his parents to drop out of school? Read on to find what happened with Felix Pedro, a 16

Drop out of school?

year old Empowerment International student, who was asked by his parents to quit school.

One May morning, Felix came crying to the EI office. He declared sadly that he had to quit school as that was what his family wanted. His parents had been putting a lot of pressure on him lately to drop out of school and to help out with the family business. He was very confused and did not know what decision to take as he really liked going to school. He was sure his parents would not change their mind and he was so distressed that he “could not contain (his) tears”

In the office, Anielka, the Nicaraguan Director for Empowerment International talked and reasoned with Felix. Later Kathy, EI’s Executive Director, who was in USA then, also talked to him. After discussing with both of them he was convinced that dropping out of school was not a good idea. Next, Anielka immediately visited Felix’s family at their home and spoke to his parents and siblings and counseled them. She told them that Felix was a very good student and if he continued with school he could fulfill his dreams of having a good future. His family finally agreed to let him continue with his education on the condition that he attend the afternoon (instead of morning) shift from the next year. Felix now says that his parents do not push him to leave school any more and he is very happy!

While this episode in his life may seem surprising to most, there is a sad story of hardship and penury behind it.

Felix Pedro

Felix’s father is an alcoholic and his mother supports the family of 11 members. The entire family is involved in making ‘petates’ which is a floor mat made of dried reed. It is totally hand-made and organic and is used by most Nicaraguans as a floor mat, curtain and beach mat. It is sold in the market for $2 to $10 depending on the size, but the main season for sales is during the dry season. In the 6 months during the wet season there is almost no sale, leading to very low income.

Last year Felix took the afternoon shift in school for which he would get up at 4.30 AM!  He worked non-stop till 8 AM when he took a break for breakfast and then continued working till 11AM after which he would get ready and leave for school. Classes were from 1 pm to 6pm.

However, things changed this year when he started taking the morning shifts (from 7 AM to 1 Pm). For this, in his words, “I got up much later – at 5 AM!”. He was one of the few students selected by EI to attend private school and in turn he was expected to provide tutoring to younger students. So, after getting back from school he went to the EI office to help in the tutoring program. He was extremely proud to be able to help 2 kids from first grade to improve their reading and mathematics skills.  Later, he had to be back at home to help his parents with the work.

Since he was attending the morning shifts this year, he could not help his mother in the family business as well as last year and this was reducing the production of mats. The financial strain that this loss led to, forced his mother to insist on his giving up school. Nevertheless, with EI’s assisstance, the family has realized the long term value of Felix’s education and things have turned positive for this Empowerment International student.

According to Deepa Victor, who has been working with Empowerment International in Nicaragua and mentoring students, Felix is a very responsible and good student. He is very helpful and kind and a good teacher to his students in the tutoring program.

This year is his first year in private school and also the photography program. He has been very involved in all the EI activities. He has been receiving regular encouragement from the staff and thsi has boosted his confidence.  Last year he was not very good with his studies but this year his scores have improved and he is one of the top 3 students in EI’s program! He now believes that he can have a better future and that it is possible for him to achieve his dreams!

- Neha Singh (Contributions by Deepa Victor)

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In Nicaragua 50% of the kids that start 1st grade never finish 5th grade. It is our goal to make this percentage drop significantly.

$30/month is what it takes us at Empowerment International to put a child in school. If you would like to help a child stay in school and get better life, please click on the link below or contact us -

When Timothy Ryan, an avid traveler and photographer, visited Nicaragua, he was captivated.  Not only did he lose his heart to the unique beauty of the land but also to the resilient courage of its people. The second poorest country in the Western hemisphere, Nicaragua, is full of amazing contrasts. It has the most heartbreakingly desperate circumstances and the most uncomplicatedly joyous people trying to make the best of the muck and mire of their lives.

Timothy, whose travel blog has been selected as one of the 10 best travel photo blogs recently, visited Nicaragua on behalf of Empowerment International last November as a photography trip.

He was enchanted by the stunning bio-diversity of the country and became acutely aware of the “inexorable link between poverty and the loss of biodiversity”. In the tour he explored some of the humanitarian organizations waging war against poverty in Latin America’s poorest country. In spite of having travelled 6 continents and 85 countries, his wizened soul was shocked at the depths of poverty that the slum dwellers in Nicaragua are mired in.

Empowerment International was the host for him in this tour. He says in his blog about EI, “Empowerment International helps to break the repeating cycle of poverty by working with parents to keep their children in school and by providing children in high risk areas with the physical and emotional support needed to stay in school. Empowerment International also understands the complex intersection of poverty and conservation and knows that protecting the biodiversity of Nicaragua is intrinsically linked to the human well-being of the community and to celebration of place.

To that end, (Kathy) Adams’ photography program, Mi Camera – Mi Mundo, which puts a camera in the hands of many of her impoverished students is nothing short of brilliant. It not only provides students with a creative and artistic outlet but, through the lens, also engenders an overwhelming connection to place and an awareness and appreciation for the natural beauty of Nicaragua.”

Timothy’s first photography exhibition is in the third largest art market in the United States from July 10 to 29 and he is presenting the photographs he took in the tour to Nicaragua. He mentions further in his blog, “I know most of you can’t make the gallery opening in Santa Fe this Friday. But I encourage you to follow the links to Empowerment International and see first-hand the amazing work of Kathy Adams and her team. And come meet these special people from the barrios whose enduring human spirit rises from this once voiceless, powerless place – carved out of obscene oppression and the abysmal failures of democracy and politics.

And while there, maybe drop a few coins in the bucket. The little funds Adams mines out of that bucket have already gone a long way to foster the continued self-empowerment of several rural and urban communities in Nicaragua.”
You can read more of Timothy’s travels and see his amazing photos on his blog – “From the Faraway, Nearby”

- Neha Singh

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In Nicaragua 50% of the kids that start 1st grade never finish  5th grade. It is our goal to make this percentage drop significantly.

$30/month is what it takes us at Empowerment International to put a child in school. If you would like to help a child stay in school and get better life, please click on the link below or contact us -

From November 8-15, 8 participants get a chance to go to Nicaragua on an exciting tour!

The tour is being organized by Susan Boe, Morgan and Julie Smith who are Santa Fe residents. Their goal is to take groups to Nicaragua to give them the opportunity to learn about the country and see programs like Empowerment International. Any “profits” that they make will go to Empowerment International and would be tax deductible to the participants.

Located between Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south, Nicaragua is about half the size of Colorado or New Mexico and has a population of roughly 5.5 million people. It is a country of striking beauty – coast lines along the Pacific that are becoming famous for surfing; a series of volcanoes, many of which can be easily hiked; beautiful colonial cities like León and Granada; natural areas full of more species of birds and trees than the entire European continent. Most important are its friendly and welcoming people.

Unfortunately, however, they are among the poorest in the southern hemisphere. Only Haiti is poorer. Nicaragua is a country with little economic activity or job growth and a weak educational system that fails to provide job training or opportunity. What is striking, however, is the level of private humanitarian assistance provided by citizens from all over the world butmostly the United States. Nicaragua benefits enormously from the work of water engineers, medical personnel, educators and just plain citizens, some of who live in Nicaragua, most of who make periodic visits.

The detailed tour is as follows:

Nicaragua Educational Tour, November 8-15, 2009

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Fly to Managua, arriving at approximately 9 PM.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Briefings in Managua with US Embassy and business leaders.

Drive to Granada with stops at the folk arts market in Masaya and the volcano of Masaya.

Evening visit to a program that feeds approximately 300 street children each evening.

Dinner with local Americans and others.

Stay in Granada.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Tour of Granada and visit to Barrio Santa Ana, one of Empowerment International’s educational programs.

Lunch at the small town of Catarina overlooking Lago de Apoyo and tour of local folk market.

Dinner with local Americans and others.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Tour Barrio La Esperanza on the edge of Granada, Empowerment International’s other program.

Visit to lending library three blocks from hotel.

Boat tour and lunch at Las Isletas.

Dinner with local Americans and others.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Tour of veterinary program run by Dr. Tom Parker from Tesuque, New Mexico.

Drive to the Selva Negra Mountain Resort, a totally self sufficient coffee plantation and resort hotel approximately 3 hours from Granada.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Participants can either take a tour of Agros project near Matagalpa or visit Jinotega.

Spend night at Selva Negra.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Tour Selva Negra, then return to Managua.

Farewell dinner at La Casa de los Mejía Godoy, a restaurant owned by two of Nicaragua’s most famous folk singers.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Return to the United States

For more information check out our Events section.

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May marks the beginning of the rainy season in Nicaragua, bringing heavy rains that rarely let up until the season ends in October. Rain can fall every day for weeks or months at a time, causing flooding that destroys homes and crops, washes out roads and bridges, cuts off villages, and compromises fragile food security in some areas.

Along with torrential rainfall, the situation can get even worse during hurricane season. In the last ten years this country that straddles the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean has been hit by three hurricanes and 25 tropical storms. The most recent hurricane, Felix, left 220,000 people homeless in 2007.

As in most natural disasters, the poor are the hardest hit. Along with losing their homes they can also easily lose their means of making a living, especially if they are self-employed, selling food they grow or products they make. U.N. resident representative Alfredo Missair warns that the vulnerability of people in the areas hit hardest by the natural disasters would increase the already wide gap between rich and poor, according to Inter Press Service.

“When it is raining a lot almost all the families in the barrio suffer,” according to Anielka Gutierrez, Nicaragua Program Director at Empowerment International. She works with the students and their families and sees firsthand how the storms affect them.

For many of EI’s kids, dealing with flooding during these seasons is a way of life. Even after the waters recede, already vulnerable families have to rebuild their houses and lives from scratch. In the barrio where EI works, houses are made from scrap materials or black plastic, usually with dirt floors. There is no escape from the rain, which can easily turn the floors into mud or destroy the fragile structures completely.

With every new rainy season that comes along, not only are the families’ livelihoods threatened, but the children also have more obstacles to getting to school every day. Even if roads are passable they can turn completely to mud, making it harder and more dangerous than usual to get there and back.

Which is why we need an organization like Empowerment International. EI helps make school and education a priority for these children and their families. It provides the support for the kids to get to school every day, and reminds them through tough times the value of education. EI gives them hope for improving their lives, so that maybe one day they’ll live in a house that can better withstand the rains.

- Francesca Dalleo

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In Nicaragua 50% of the kids that start 1st grade never finish  5th grade. It is our goal to make this percentage drop significantly.

$30/month is what it takes us at Empowerment International to put a child in school. If you would like to help a child stay in school and get better life, please click on the link below or contact us -

When put simply, volunteers are individuals or groups who give their time, talent and abilities to a cause they believe in, without expecting anything in return. An American anthropologist Margret Mead had once said, “Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Volunteers have always been the backbone of the American society and not much would have been possible without them – be it church activities, community events or non-profit work.

More and more people are discovering the joys of volunteering today. A recent report by the the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor has indicated that about 61.8 million people, or 26.4 percent of the population volunteered at least once between between September 2007 and September 2008 and the average volunteer spent about 52 hours working for their cause during that time.

In retrospect, I realize that while helping the non-profits in whatever small way that I could, I have myself been immensely benefited.  Apart from the obvious benefits of meeting new people and gaining work experience, helping others gives me a feeling of gratification. It reminds me of the answer that renowned psychologist Dr. Karl Menninger had given when he was asked what advice he would give to someone who is on verge of a nervous breakdown and Dr. Menninger replied, “I would advice the person to lock home, go to the other side of the town, find someone in need and help that person. By doing that we get out of our own way.”

I can’t help but completely agree with Dr. Menninger. The fact that I can make a difference in someone else’s life often makes me feel happy and gives me a sense of fulfillment. It  is immensely satisfying to serve people and at the same time I get an opportunity to get away from my daily routine.

Wherever you go, whichever country you live in, you can find someone who needs who needs your help. Volunteering through a non-profit is an easy and organized way of giving back to the community. It may not be the highest paying job, but at the end of the day, it is a satisfying one and you know you are helping people. I think that’s what keeps us going, knowing that we’re making a difference.

- Shamala Pulugurtha

In Nicaragua 50% of the kids that start 1st grade never finish  5th grade. It is our goal to make this percentage drop significantly.

$30/month is what it takes us at Empowerment International to put a child in school. If you would like to help a child stay in school and get better life, please click on the link below or contact us -

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Although universal primary education is free and compulsory in Nicaragua, it has never been enforced properly. Preliminary reports indicate that some 700,000 school-age children in Nicaragua did not start their education this year.* Even before the recent global economic crisis began and the country’s aid was cut down by the U.S and the Europe due to a suspected misuse of funds by the authorities, the primary school enrollment here was about eighty percent. And, only 40% of the children who started first grade completed 6th grade.

Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in the Americas and 47% of its population is below the poverty level. These families earn less than $1 per day and often, children have to work and contribute to the family income. Based on the data collected between 2000-2006, UNICEF estimates  that 10 percent of children under five were moderately or severely underweight, and 20 percent were stunted. The current economic crisis along with inflation is only making things worse and experts believe that unemployment and poverty will make it even more difficult for children to attend school.

Although Nicaraguan government has introduced social programs to provide free meals, school supplies and transportation for primary school-age children, the enrollment has only improved from 75% in 1998 to 80% in 2006. According to a recent report by the Central American Governance Institute, Central America is one of the regions that spends least on promoting education and Nicaragua has the worst spending record in this region averaging about $42 per person annually. And, with a decrease in international aid, the spending may get worse this year.

The Millennium  Development Goals that were adopted by all the members of the United Nations   include achieving 100% primary education rate by 2015. Unfortunately, Nicaragua is way behind the target. Sociologist and economist Cirilo Otero, head of the non-governmental Environmental Policy Initiatives Center told IPS recently that the current economic meltdown has brought the Nicaragua to a standstill but it may soon start sliding backwards.

Tough economic conditions are challenging individuals, government and non-profits on how they spend their money. But then again, education is the only way to protect children from the hazards of poverty, labor exploitation and disease, and give them the knowledge, skills, and confidence to reach their full potential. It is an investment that everyone has to make today for a better tomorrow.

In Nicaragua 50% of the kids that start 1st grade never finish  5th grade. It is our goal to make this percentage drop significantly.

$30/month is what it takes us at Empowerment International to put a child in school. If you would like to help a child stay in school and get better life, please click on the link below or contact us -

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EI’s newest group of donors are not from the most privileged of backgrounds (82% live below the poverty level by US standards), nor are they the most experienced in years (the median age is 8 years old), but this has not stopped them from being full of heart and generosity. The third-grade students of Sanchez Elementary School in Lafayette, Colorado, recently raised enough money to sponsor two students through EI – far exceeding their fundraising goals and a huge achievement for the class!

This is their story …

To start, we first rewind to six years ago and the students’ teacher, Tom McSheehy. Tom had recently undergone the trauma of losing three close family members in a very short space of time, and had felt this as a catalyst for making some positive and meaningful changes in his life. One result was that he decided to take a trip to Costa Rica – his first trip outside the USA and therefore one which he embarked upon with some trepidation.

On the plane he happened to meet Kathy Adams (Founder and Executive Director of EI), who invited Tom to tour the barrio where EI was working at the time and then, later, the barrio in Nicaragua. It was an experience that spoke deeply to Tom, and for many reasons he felt like his visit had been predestined, that somehow it was connected to healing his grief. Tom described his visit as

“A powerful, magical and spiritual experience.”

This year Tom shared some of his photos from Nicaragua with his third-grade classes. The photos and resulting conversations got the students’ hearts involved with the challenges that kids face in Nicaragua, and moved them to help EI. Some of the students shared their feelings on why they wanted to help children in Nicaragua (in their own words):

“I felt bad for them and sad because they barely have anything.”

“I felt sad seeing the Nicaraguan children and how they lived and things they didn’t have, cars and trucks.”

“I felt sad because they don’t have strong houses.”

“I felt hurt and sad because some of them didn’t have shelter, they were not learning. So that’s why we chose school, not clothes or food.”

“I felt really sad because I felt like I was very special what I got and they are very special in their own way.”

“I felt a little sad because the Nicaraguan children don’t have as much as other children.”

“I felt proud that I was going to help other kids. I also felt sad when I see their homes and how they lived.”

The classes raised the money for EI (with the guidance of Tom and the other third-grade teacher, Nicholle Moreno) in a very imaginative way. They were learning about solar power in their science class and came up with the idea of raising money by making and selling solar bead bracelets. The beads are white indoors and, seemingly by magic, change to different colors when they are taken outdoors and ultraviolet rays hit the beads. The kids did all the work for the fundraising themselves, with duties ranging from designing the bracelets to promoting their product and counting the proceeds. Their goal was to raise enough money to send one child in Nicaragua to school, but they doubled this and raised enough for two! Some of the students shared their thoughts on their achievements:

“I felt happy about raising so much money because I think helping others in need is very kind.”

“When my class and I raised so much money, I felt proud of myself because I’m helping people that need my help.”

“I felt happy because I sent two kids to school.”

“It feels good to help others in need.”

“I felt proud of myself because what would it have been when you didn’t get to live your dream.”

“It feels great that I helped a kid.”

“It feels really nice and respectful to help other people across the world.”

“I felt great because I love to learn about the different kids in Nicaragua. It’s very fun.”

“It feels good because from all the hard work, you get a prize which is good.”

“It feels good… to me it feels very good. I love that feeling.”

Tom also shared some of his thoughts on the project:

“We definitely wanted our students to know that they are very blessed even though they are poor and that they have a lot of power to create positive changes in the world. We also wanted them to learn the importance of sharing and being of service to others. I feel that it is extremely important to teach kids that they have a lot of power to make positive changes in their neighborhood and the world. When they learn that they have this power, it helps their self-esteem and it helps to protect them from feeling depressed and powerless when they hear world news. I definitely feel that this project had a very positive influence on the third graders – the classes feel more connected and close and the kids more mature and aware.”

And judging by the kids’ comments, the project really did leave them feeling empowered:

“I learned that I could succeed in anything in life.”

“Now I know that I can change the world.”

“Everyone could make a big difference in the world.”

“It’s a good feeling to help other people. If you have a goal to do that and stick to it, you can do it. You can see all the stuff you did for them and it makes you feel so good.”

“I learned helping people is good.”

“I felt powerful.”

It doesn’t sound like the kids will stop here either! Here are some of their goals for the future:

“I’d like to help more than two people. And help more and more people every year.”

“I want to get rich, go around the world, and go to any poor places and give them a million dollars.”

“What I would like to do is help endangered animals and people.”

“I’m planning on doing fundraising and activities because I’d like to help the world be more helpful.”

“I would like to sell my toys and just raise money and I would do it for poor people.”

The kids are also participating in a pen-pal exchange with third-grade students in Nicaragua that EI sponsors. The kids have written their letters, got them translated into Spanish (~30% of the students speak both English and Spanish) and packaged them up to send to Nicaragua. They’re excited about getting letters back…

“I feel excited because I have never had a pen pal!”

“I never had a Nicaragua pen pal before, that’s why I was so surprised when I had a pen pal named David!”

“I feel happy to have a pen pal. It’s very fun because you can write letters back and forth.”

“I feel like I can connect with them. I was really excited.”

“I feel so happy. It’s my first pen pal. I just can’t wait until I get a letter back. I’m just so excited!!!!!”

EI is so grateful for the efforts of the third grade students of Sanchez Elementary School – the money is already being put to good use sending two new students to school – and we really appreciate them sharing their thoughts and feelings with us. We think you’ll agree that they, like so many of the EI donors, are a pretty special group of people!

Do you have an interesting story to share about why you got involved with EI? Have you organized a fundraiser recently? Please let us know – we’d love to include your story in our Donor Spotlight! You can email us at info@empowermentinternational.org

- Emma Hill

In Nicaragua 50% of the kids that start 1st grade never finish  5th grade. It is our goal to make this percentage drop significantly.

$30/month is what it takes us at Empowerment International to put a child in school. If you would like to help a child stay in school and get better life, please click on the link below or contact us -

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On March 26 results from a new survey conducted by the Nonprofit Finance Fund raised concerns that the economic health of nonprofit organizations is rapidly deteriorating (according to the New York Times).

The survey of over 900 nonprofits found that only 12 percent of the organizations expect to operate above break-even, compared with 40 percent reported last year. Just 16 percent anticipate being able to cover their operating expenses in both 2009 and 2010. Obviously, nonprofits are experiencing huge challenges due to the economic crisis.

With corporations and foundations facing losses from the stock market plunge, many are cutting back or halting their usual charitable giving. And with considerable job losses around the nation, individual giving forecasts are unclear. In an end of the year survey covered in The NonProfit Times, more than 40 percent of organizations said that they’re seeing smaller gifts and fewer individual donors. At a time when needs are greater and resources are less, the economic downturn has affected nonprofits in a range of ways.

As a repercussion of the reduced giving due to the slower economy, many nonprofits are forced to make budget and program cuts. Many are also freezing hiring or laying off staff members, in some cases with workforce-reduction percentages in the double digits. In an end of the year survey reported in The NonProfit Times, 40 percent of organizations said they did worse in 2008 compared to the year before, and 41 percent said about the same. Less than twenty percent said they did better in 2008 than 2007.

But even with all of these discouraging economic reports, there is some hopeful news as well.

A Chronicle of Philanthropy survey in March revealed that a majority of Americans who give to charity still plan to donate as much this year as they have in the past. Fifty-two percent of donors said their gifts would be the same as 2008. Only 17.5 percent said they’d give less, and with 30 percent undecided, there is room for people to recognize the importance of giving in hard times.

Many people struggling in this economic crisis themselves are realizing that there are plenty of others out there who need help now more than ever. Of those who planned to give at least as much in 2009, 50 percent said they were willing to make compromises in other areas of their life to do so.

Nonprofits can also benefit from people who aren’t able to contribute financially right now, but perhaps instead could volunteer their time and skills. On March 15 the New York Times covered “the growing army of the newly unemployed that have been marching into the offices of nonprofit organizations since the recession hit, looking to do some good, and maybe network a little.”

For those who have already experienced job losses due to the economic crisis, volunteering can help them make contacts that could lead to a new job, as well as fill the hours they used to be at the office. And for professionals worried about job security, it’s a great way to stay involved and brush up your skills while benefiting your community.

- Francesca Dalleo

In Nicaragua 50% of the kids that start 1st grade never finish  5th grade. It is our goal to make this percentage drop significantly.

$30/month is what it takes us at Empowerment International to put a child in school. If you would like to help a child stay in school and get better life, please click on the link below or contact us -

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