1 person found this review helpful
Circulo De Amigas
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October 23, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
My college Spanish teacher introduced me to Circulo de Amigas about 10 years ago. I committed to a sponsorship to help keep a sweet young girl in grade school and my role recently expanded to board member. Since then, my little girl has become a lovely young college co-ed with a future full of options! --- CdA is 100% volunteer run and all funds directly benefit the girls. This is no small feat for any charity. The donor's level of involvement with CdA varies from writing a modest check each month to traveling to the village of Jinotega and completing important projects. --- I've been involved in several charitable endeavors over the years and Circulo de Amigas stands apart as one that delivers meaningful, life-changing results. I highly recommend it.
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
3 people found this review helpful
October 23, 2012
3 people found this review helpful
I started working with CdA as a casual volunteer about 14 years ago. Back then I knew it only as the non-profit that my friend Pat had started many years before, that helped girls and young women in a desperately poor area of poverty-stricken and war-torn Nicaragua. Now, I have a much deeper knowledge of the program, and have been to Nicaragua several times to see it in action. The work Circulo de Amigas does, the role it plays in the community and the difference it makes in the lives of all those it touches is difficult to overstate. Pat started something truly amazing, because she felt she had to. Those of us involved with it will keep it going, and keep it growing, because we know that we must: Educating girls has been proven to be the best track out of poverty, and that is what we are dedicated to doing - educating the girls, and by doing so helping them to lift themselves, their families, and their community out of abject poverty. Won't you join us?!
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
November 13, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
Circulo de Amigas is making a difference--in my life and in the life of a young woman who is studying to be a nurse at the university nearby.
When my husband and I were assigned our student as sponsors, we didn't really know what to expect.
Only by communicating often over the last 6 years, being provided with her reports of progress and finally visiting her twice that, in our eyes, a student who was a photo and a number has transformed into a caring young woman whose primary goal is to obtain an education and a career to support herself and her son.
If you have not been to Jinotega, it is difficult to understand the depth of poverty in the barrios of this beautiful mountain town.
Funds provided by us have given our student and her family a sturdy roof over their heads, a concrete wall to divert a contaminated stream and other materials. They still have dirt floors, but hopefully , that will change one day as well.
Circulo de Amigas provides a way in which we can directly affect the life and education of one person--it is only one, but some day, it will be many.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
...visiting Jintega twice to see what has transpired since we were first there. Many changes have taken place: a much-improved library, a gardening project for many families, a fruit-tree planting project, a new fence for a playground, etc.etc. There are two many things to mention.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would increase the volunteers who are sponsors. The same people continue to do the heavy lifting for the organization.
1 person found this review helpful
October 9, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
Circulo meets the needs of young women who are truly indigent. It does this by focusing on their education, paring them with loving donors who take a special interest in their welfare, and by paying local people to administer programs. The Board and administrative functions in the US are strictly volunteer based, so 100% of the aid given benefits the recipients and the local economy.
Education is the key component to improving the recipients long term future. It allows for the general improvement of Nicaraguan society and directly improves the lives of young women.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have only visited Jinotega once. However, the trip was well worth it. While both girls have benefitted, we provided vitamins and special support for one who was particularly in need. She has gone from a dull malnourished child who did not know her letters or numbers to one who is doing well in school, and is increasingly confident about her future. She has worked extremely hard and has made amazing progress.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would work to broaden the sponsor base and improve fund raising efforts. Volunteers in the US can only do so much, and the need is really overwhelming.
September 13, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
I stumbled, unexpectedly, onto CdA some time ago and am so proud to be a Board member of this dedicated organization. It's great to be a part of something that's so important to the people it serves. We're working hard to develop our programs to make a BIGGER impact with the resources we have. Our students and employees have complete precedence and I look forward to doing more for them and our community in Jinotega.
You couldn't ask for a better group of talented, caring, and enthusiastic people!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
As a volunteer, CdA brings joy and love to my heart. It's very fulfilling to know that my hard work is really helping our community in Nicaragua.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
... make it more visible. That's hard to do in this economy.
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
How did you learn about this organization?
Through a friend.
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