El Porvenir
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February 26, 2011
My church participates in conjunction with a nearby church in working with El Porvenir in Nicaragua. El Porvenier is a small non-profit working with volunteers to build projects in villages. Our group will be working to build a well and other facilities for villagers who have to walk hours to bring back water to the village. The improvements built under the El Porvenir plan also improve sanitation and health for the villagers. Very exciting, and I can't wait to go.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
going to presentations and listening to what people who have gone have said. Reading and conversation
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
So far I haven't seen any problems. More money would help.
February 26, 2011
El Porvenir provides volunteers with an opportunity to work in small villages, with the "mayor' and many of the village people in assessing the needs of the village, and then proceeding to solutions for them.
I worked in a village where there were no latrines. Each family in the village had dug a huge hole behind their houses. The El Porvenir came in with us, the volunteers, to enclose the latrines with brick, along with help from the villagers themselves. We worked very hard, made many friends, and participated in meetings of the whole village, at night, where the importance of using latrines, and then washing hands were dramatized by some of the villagers. Low tech responses to needs is key to El Porvenir's work, as is needs coming from the villages themselves. El Porvenir's primary goal is to supply clean water to remote villages.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Near Camoapas, in the boon docks.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
simply try to get El Porvenir more funding.
February 26, 2011
I built stoves with a group of volunteers for a village supported by El Porvenir. We also toured a couple of cities while there. We met the staff and were deeply impressed by how well-run was our trip and the project. We were impressed by their follow-up education program, which helps to boost the long-term success of projects.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Seeing the completed wells. washstands, latrines, and stoves that are actively being used in villages near San Lorenzo.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Do what is needed to get the non-profit reviewed and listed in Charity Navigator.
February 26, 2011
I weat to Nicaragua with Elderhostel to work for El Porvenir. My colleagues were wonderful, enthusiastic, intelligent, caring people. Our El Porvenir leaders were knowledgeable, flexible, understanding and fun.
The Nicaraguan people we met were warm and welcoming. I fell in love with the country and its people. I also felt that El Porvenir, for very little money, made a huge positive impact on people's everyday lives by helping to provide clean water. So simple, yet so vital.
I have been contributing to El Porvenir ever since and I will continue to do so as long as I am able.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
We visited many villages who have been helped by El Porvenir by building latrines, wells, lavanderas and also reforestation projects. The differences between those villages and neighboring ones without such assistance was incredible.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Give it more money to do more projects!
February 26, 2011
We went to build a lavandero. When that didn't work out, we built stoves instead. We completely fell in love with all the people of "our" village who worked so diligently with us to accomplish as much as possible in the short time that we had together.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing the respect and love that the villagers have for the El Porvenir staff and the organization.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
work hard to spread the word about the effectiveness of El Porvenir!
February 25, 2011
We are getting ready for our 5th El Porvenir adventure. The work done by this organization defines "grass roots" in that it provides an essential resource for those who need it most at the least cost. The Nicaraguan people maintain ownership of the projects--they direct and supervise with El Porvenir help. Having accessible clean water, toilets, space for privacy when bathing....all of these are important, especially to the women and children.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Nicaragua.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
get more people to participate and donate.
February 25, 2011
My husband and I went to Nicaragua with a volunteer group for a week and built a shelter for washing clothes and taking a shower. It was a wonderful experience working with the people of the village. El Porvenir does a fantastic job of identifying needs of a community and of the community working with El Porvenir to build what they need: clean water, latrines, washing stations, reforestation.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Nicaragua
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would not make any changes.
February 25, 2011
I worked with El Porvenir in 2008 assessing the water needs of small communities. The staff of El Porvenir in Nicaragua was a pleasure to work with and helped make my stay in Nicaragua memorable. They were instrumental in helping me learn about and enjoy the places and people of Nicaragua. The Denver staff has also been very helpful.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Watching the planning process to improve access to clean water in as many communities as possible.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Keep up the good work.
February 25, 2011
I served on the board of directors of El Porvenir for many years. I was very involved in El Porvenir's policy-making, fundraising, staffing, and planning. I visited Nicaragua every year and lived in Nicaragua for four years recently. I am very familiar with El Porvenir's history, development, and method of operation in Nicaragua, and feel proud of being part of this organization and its work. I have talked with the people of the villages, especially the women, about the changes in their lives brought about by the new well, the new gravity flow water system (the most dramatic changes), the new latrines, the new lavandero. I have seen and heard the pride and ownership the villagers feel in these projects, which they initiated, built, and continue to care for and use. El Porvenir meets a fundamental human need, supports the initiative and strengths of Nicaraguan people, hires Nicaraguans to carry out its work, and operates with minimal administrative expenditure.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Visiting dozens and dozens of villages where El Porvenir responded to local requests for help with specific projects that the people themselves had identified as a need and wanted to build.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
want it to be able to expand its operations and work in more regions of Nicaragua. The need for clean drinking water and sanitation is still very great in all rural areas of the country.
February 22, 2011
I went on the trip to celebrate my 50th birthday. It was one of the best vacations of my life. I loved the food, and got used to rice and beans each day. Mainly, I loved working with the children of the village. They competed with each other to gather stones, and wheeled the wheel barrel when my tired bones could not keep up. The countryside was so beautiful - like the shire in Lord of the Rings! Animals everywhere walking down the roads with their owners. The group of people I traveled with were among the nicest folks I've ever met. It is a great organization, and six years later I am still a regular donor to EL Porvenir. They have a bare bones budget, and if you donate, have no fear that your money will have an impact. I receive many requests for charity, but no charity is more worthy. The gift of clean water is so important, and the people of Niceragua are wonderful!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Seeing first hand the benefits of clean water
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not change a thing!
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