NEPA Student Nicaragua-Bound to Help Others Learn

Last year, Austin met children and their families living in Project Chacocente in Masaya, Nicaragua. When he made his first trip to Nicaragua last year Austin was expecting to see less than ideal conditions. However, what he actually witnessed was far worse than he ever expected. "There's stuff I saw on the bus in the hour to get to the hotel which was just eye opening," he said. "Houses slowly get progressively worse until they end up to be cardboard houses with a tin roof on top."

He and other church missionaries wanted to make a difference. They were tasked with helping build a retaining wall at Chacocente Christian School -- a site that provides a learning opportunity in a country where many kids lose out. "Some don't get an education and the ones who do it's not the best education," said Austin. This time, he will arrive armed with school supplies and even sports equipment thanks to help from his own school. "I got flyers out to all of the students in the Wyoming Area School District to be able to collect some supplies that way." He is also selling bracelets handmade by Nicaraguans here at home to benefit Project Chacocente... a local teen having an impact so very far away.

Austin will leave February 15th for a week in Nicaragua. He needs about $350 to cover the high customs fees and taxes to deliver the school supplies. You can find out about making a monetary donation to offset the delivery cost or about buying a $3 Nicaraguan bracelet by logging onto nicaraguaschoolcollection.org or by emailing Austin at nicaraguaschoolcollection@gmail.com. Donations can also be sent to Project Chacocente USA, P.O. Box 128, Lexington, MA 02420 or by logging onto outofthedump.org.