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September 20, 2002
USDA school visit with Project Concern International
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Jicaro Drink – This fortified drink is made from the high protein jicaro seed,
a locally grown fruit. Corn soy
blend and corn donated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
are also used in the production of the drink.
Clean water is vital for the jicaro drink. To ensure the water is free of
harmful elements, Project Concern International has provided schools an
inexpensive but highly effective filtration system. Above, Dr. Leonel
Arguello from Project Concern International demonstrates how to use the
system.
Each plastic container holds a treated clay pot made by Potters for
Peace. Water is filtered through the clay insert and is then ready to
drink.
Fray Odorico de Andrea students enjoying their
breakfast.
The students of Fray Odorico de Andrea #2 School perform a traditional
Nicaraguan dance to thank USDA and PCI.
The San Francisco Loma Azul School is located in the
Town of San Francisco, which is also in the municipality of San Rafael del Norte.
Approximately 75 students attend Loma Azul.
Project Concern International provides a daily breakfast of fortified
cookies and a jicaro mix drink, provides agricultural assistance on school gardens and
reforestation projects, and provides teacher
training.
Before the school-feeding program, many children went to school without
breakfast. Now parents encourage
their children to attend school because they know their children will receive a
nutritious meal. As a result, enrollment has increased, along with
the student retention rate.
The parents, teachers, and students of San Francisco Loma Azul sing a song of
special thanks to the USDA and PCI.
A traditional dance performed on behalf of the
students.
The Parent Teacher Association is proud of their school's
garden. Project Concern
International provided the tools and seeds for the garden. The parents are very supportive and help with the planting,
maintenance, and harvesting.
Community support for the school feeding has been overwhelming and has renewed
enthusiasm for education. Below, the parents built the San Francisco Loma
Azul preschool. Children between the ages of four and six years of age
attend for a half-day. The children receive breakfast and are taught by
the school's volunteer teaching assistant. During the visit, the parents
formally requested local government officials for material to further construct
the preschool and to build a larger school.
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