Waverly Nonprofits and Charities

Before coming to work for Retrieving Freedom, I had not heard of the work they do. Learning what we do and how it makes such a difference in the lives of families who are raising children on the spectrum and for our veterans with service-related disabilities, to say it changes their lives, is not an overstatement. I know of a veteran whose service dog literally saved his life because it was with him and was attuned to his feelings of stress. The need for these dogs is great as 22 of our service men and women commit suicide every day and one in 44 children is born on the spectrum. Partner with us to change lives, give today.

In November 2023 Self-Help International (SHI) completed its 25th year of promoting agriculture, small businesses and clean water in Nicaragua. As a Self-Help Board member, I was able to attend the celebration event, which also honored Jorge Campos for his 25 years serving as Country Director. Over 40 employees, collaborators and clientele attended. Many gave testimonials about the valuable work SHI was doing and told how they had benefitted from SHI programs.<br>Expansion into two new territories was a highlight for 2023. A long-time priest serving two rural communities in northern Nicaragua invited SHI to extend its agricultural extension programs into his area. Self-Help was able to hire a full-time agronomist from the local community and start a credit program for small farmers. Initial results from a series of technical workshops and demonstration plots utilizing improved seed and production techniques look promising.<br>Solentiname is an archipelago of over 30 small islands in Lake Nicaragua. Community leaders invited Self-Help to present a series of workshops and provide samples of improved corn and bean seeds to small farmers on the island. The increased production and higher nutritional attributes of the grains should contribute to better health and income for the families.<br>Aracelly Cruz, a new specialist for the Women’s Empowerment Program, enrolled 23 new participants in 2023. A total of 117 women received funding for starting or expanding their small businesses and agricultural plots.<br>The Clean Water program is focusing on rehabilitation of existing chlorination systems in small towns in southern Nicaragua, with 67 communities receiving financing in 2023. SHI will add a second technician in 2024, and look to extend its efforts to provide clean and safe water to more families, schools and businesses. <br>As a Board member, I was impressed with the dedication of the SHI staff in Nicaragua and their abilities to not only maintain programs and contacts during the COVID pandemic, but also expand into new areas and initiatives. They richly deserve our moral and financial support.<br>William Edwards, Boone, Iowa.<br>Self-Help International Board member and retired Professor of Agricultural Economics<br>January 10, 2024<br>

This is a great Military non profit organization. They provide information and support for returning Veterans and their families. They also are involved with congress to insure to right and benefits of those that have served. Will provide tools to transition from military life to private life. Learn more about AMVETS at amvetsiowa.org to get started