Empowerment International

Empowerment International is a wonderful organization! Over the past decade they've helped me support a family that I have grown to love more and more with each letter and in-person visit I am lucky enough to share. The approach they take to helping my sponsee be equipped with a range of academic and social skills, while also supporting the basic needs of the whole family, is truly life-changing. I am grateful to be able to be connected to this cause.

Absolutely great NGO, no doubts about the efficient and transparent use of donations, just a big recommendation!

Empowerment Int'l provides well-planned education and health support in Nicaragua, and those of us who donate are kept in touch with the children we sponsor through handwritten cards and letters and articles so that we can feel directly part of the process. I've been involved with Empowerment for just over 14 years now. A really great organization doing really great work!

I made many trips to Nicaragua to take prospective donors to see Empowerment International and have always felt that it does a superb job of helping young people there get an education and a fresh start on life. It has made a huge difference in the lives of those kids.

Empowerment International is a non-profit organization in Nicaragua that supports children from low-income backgrounds in their education. EI provides essential school supplies, mentorship, and vocational guidance to help these children break the cycle of poverty through education. Our support can make a significant impact on the lives of these children and their prospects.

I feel very moved to see how many children with great aspirations have become great professionals with values that promote change in their community. I am pleased to contribute to their personal and educational development so that they have a bright future and are agents of change in their community.

My name is María Mercedes Álvarez. I am writing to share with you my love for being a part of the non-profit Empowerment International.

This is an organization that is making a true difference in the lives of children and young people of Nicaragua, as it provides them with opportunities to receive a better education at the primary, secondary and university levels.

EI has highly qualified personnel committed to their work with both students and their families in the different beneficiary communities, all of which are low-income. This personnel guarantees comprehensive care for children and adolescents who, in addition to their studies, also participate in cultural and sports activities sponsored by EI.

In addition, EI promotes values and principles focused on volunteerism and solidarity among the youth of Nicaragua, all in service to a better future for the people of my country. I am very proud to be a part of these efforts.

Hola mi nombre Heymi Lissethe, he estado 10 años de estar en Empowerment International, gracias a su apoyo pude culminar mis estudios de primaria, actualmente estoy en la universidad de la carrera de enfermería en 2do año, estoy muy agradecida por todo el apoyo brindado, sin ellos yo no hubiese estado en la universidad, como agradecimiento actualmente estoy apoyando a la fundación con voluntariado, ayudo en la parte de salud, las visitas casas a casa y entre otras cosas del departamento de Home Visit, mis mas sinceros agradecimiento a la fundación.

Mi nombre es Doris Odily, tengo 7 años de permanecer en Empowerment International estoy muy agradecida por todo el apoyo brindado que me han dado, actualmente estoy en la universidad, de la carrera de Fisioterapia, gracias a la fundación he podido llegar a la universidad, actualmente estoy apoyando a la fundación con voluntariado dándole clases a los más pequeños, para retroalimentar sus conocimientos.

I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate as a promoter of visits to attend more closely to the general and emotional situation of the beneficiary families, to be able to contribute from the psychological point of view to the needs of the population.
I like the work of Empowerment, because it is characterized by providing care in various areas: education, health. I have managed to know the components of comprehensive support; One of the strengths is the home visits to the homes of the beneficiary.

Mi nombre es Erick, tengo la edad 15 años, llevo 8 años de pertenecer a Empowerment International, estoy muy orgulloso de estar en la fundación porque me gusta participar de ciclismo, me gusta la adrenalina y solo en Empowerment International he tenido la dicha de estar en un grupo de ciclismo, estoy muy agradecido con la fundación por todo el esfuerzo que hacen con nosotros en ayudarnos con nuestros estudios y sacar potencial de nosotros, agradezco a todas las personas que hacen posible todo esto para que salgamos adelante.

Mi nombre es Uriel, tengo 9 años de pertenecer a la fundación, me gusta mucho apoyar a la fundación porque me gusta compartir mis experiencias con los niños, actualmente estoy estudiando una carrera técnica de Arquitectura, elegí esta carrera porque me gusta mucho dibujar y diseñar, hoy en dia apoyo a la fundación como voluntario de maestro para la enseñanza a los niños más pequeños, es un placer poder apoyar a la fundación ya que por ellos he podido salir adelante y adquiero mucha experiencia.

Mi nombre es Guadalupe, llevo 9 años en Empowerment International ya que por ellos pude seguir con mis estudios, actualmente estoy en la universidad, ha sido un esfuerzo más que ha hecho la fundación conmigo y estoy muy agradecido con ellos por todo lo que han hecho por mí, estoy a un paso de finalizar mi carrera y estoy muy orgullosa por lograr esa meta, también gracias a mi agradecimiento estoy como voluntaria en Empowerment International y ayudo en lo que pueda, soy la fotógrafa de E.I y me siento muy feliz, tengo a mi cargo un taller de fotografía, para que otros adolescentes vayan aprendiendo de este lindo conocimiento que he adquirido y me gusta que otros aprendan, en años anteriores también he estado como maestra de primaria, enseñando a niños a que puedan leer y a sumar, tuve de coordinadora de un proyecto llamado (Yo me Empodero) por el cual a mí me gustó mucho porque eran dirigido para la enseñanza a las jóvenes, de cómo prevenir los embarazos, las enfermedades de transmisión sexual y entre otros temas de prevención, gracias a la fundación también he adquirido muchos conocimiento, y siempre estaré agradecido con ellos.

My family has supported many non-profits throughout the years, and Empowerment International remains the one we continue to support the most. We have donated to them for over 10-years now and we're always so impressed with how much they are able to do with such a small budget. I wish more people knew about them. There is such a need in Nicaragua and the organization is so well run that for a modest donation you can have a huge impact a child's life.

A few years ago we visited the education center in Granada. The staff was absolutely amazing. It was clear that they were very dedicated to the work they were doing, but just as importantly it was obvious just how much compassion they had for the kids and families that were in the program. In the future, my wife and I are looking forward to visiting more.

As a beneficiary father, I have seen how my 2 children who are part of the foundation have been very helpful for them and for me as a father with limited resources, since the economic situation of our country is not good. I am very grateful to the foundation for the great support they have given to all the beneficiaries so that they can get ahead with their studies.

As a local school educator I have had the privilege of being able to visit the activity center and see the great work they do for the children of my country, I hope that this program continues since the support it provides to children is very important for a country. like Nicaragua.

My name is Priscila, I am a beneficiary of EI. I left the Nursing Career University program. During all that time, EI gave me its support and I participated in the art clubs, cycling as a volunteer, I supported and continue to support the tutoring program. EI is a very important organization in the neighborhood since it gives the opportunity for children to improve academically, to have a better future and help our families, thus breaking a cycle that after generations that could not obtain a career and today I am the first of my family but not the last.

I am a volunteer and Beneficiary of Empowermeth International, Being part of this organization has been a great help to me since I have its support for my university career, I am very grateful day by day, in which it also provides support to low-income children and each one is helped with their homework, reinforcing the class. Having your support is very important, this is of great importance since we have the benefits and be able to move forward with our goals. In this way, they help each child to build her dream and move forward.

My name is Mareling Aguilar.
I am a volunteer and Beneficiary of Empowermeth International, Being part of this organization has been a great help to me since I have its support for my university career, I am very grateful day by day, in which it also provides support to low-income children and each one is helped with their homework, reinforcing the class. Having your support is very important, this is of great importance since we have the benefits and be able to move forward with our goals. In this way, they help each child to build her dream and move forward.

as a volunteer and beneficiary of EI, it is a wonderful place, where high grade students support low grade students with their homework and tutoring, I have learned about the importance of my future and goals by supporting the different activities at the center. It improves the quality of education of the children of the program so that they get ahead by providing the necessary tools to build their future, I am very grateful to EI for the great work it does in Nicaragua.

Empowerment International is an organization that works in support of vulnerable sectors in the Granada and Santa Ana sector in Nicaragua. As a collaborator, I have joined the holistic model of the institution, which allows me to be a companion in the development of the necessary skills to improve the quality of life of the beneficiary families, witnessing the positive impact on the two aspects in which they work, such as health and education, the change can be appreciated by observing how the different generations are empowered by their decisions, achieving the unlearning of entrenched traditional teaching and that create circles where poverty predominates accompanied by all the different difficulties that this entails.

I have been a sponsor for the children of Empowerment Int'l, for many years. I have never seen such steadfast determination to make a huge difference in these kids lives, even in the face of a cruel dictatorship in Nigaragua right now and in many years past. These kids are becoming secure, bright, interested and enhanced educationally, and mentally young adults, breaking the chain of un educated communities, generation after generation. It is sooo impressive!! I have loved every minute, knowing that with out my help, their lives would be compromised. The desire to learn and become full human beings with EI at their side, they are limitless!

We have supported students in the program for many years and have seen them blossom from shy children into confident adolescents. We love that the kids write us regularly about how they are doing and their plans for the future. It's their optimism that shines through in these letters, a direct result of their involvement with Empowerment and the services it provides: school supplies, after-school tutoring, family counseling, enrichment activities including sports and photography clubs, health and nutrition support.

I have been able to visit Granada several times and to meet children and staff in person, so I have seen firsthand how Empowerment's approach gives children and the families they serve a chance for fulfilling lives. Many of the staff and tutors are former students who themselves benefitted from EI's support. This is an organization which has cultivated deep roots in the communities it serves, which sets it apart from too many NGO's that disappear after a few years service. EI is here to stay.

My name is Miguel Tello. I am the director of the Strachan Foundation, a small family foundation that supports close to 40 NGOs in Central America. We are based in Costa Rica. We have been funding Empowerment International (EI) in Nicaragua since 2018. I am extremely satisfied with EI´s work. I have had a chance to visit EI's office, meet students and families EI serves and also meet staff members. The country director is a wonderful, compassionate and effective leader. I have seen the passion with which staff members serve the students and families and how their work has contributed to students being able to pass their grade, improve math, reading and writing skills. EI staff have done admirable work in the midst of the pandemic. I highly recommend EI.

I have been closely following the work of Empowerment International/ADEINIC since 2012 and am amazed by their work. An exceptionally dedicated team is doing invaluable work to give marginalized children and youth a massively improved perspective thanks to a school education. The project is characterized by the fact that older beneficiaries in secondary school independently organize the tutoring and the important recreational program. In this way, they learn to assume responsibility at an early age and act directly as role models for the next generation. The project follows a holistic approach of support, accompaniment and encouragement of the beneficiaries. It is nice to see that some of the alumni have now already achieved a professional diploma or even a university degree. Without this project, well over 300 children and young people in precarious urban neighborhoods and a remote rural village would hardly have the chance to find a way out of poverty thanks to an education. I hope the project can continue to provide essential support to the most disadvantaged in Granada and Santa Ana for many years to come.

I learned of this wonderful organization when I visited the photography studio in Nicaragua in 2016. I have been an annual donor ever since. I really appreciate that they sponsor a child all the way through to the end of University.

We have sponsored two girls with EI, and will continue to support them for many more years!! Our first 'daughter' went on to graduate high school, and college! This is an amazing accomplishment for a young woman in Nicaragua, and we could not be prouder. Before COVID we were able to visit the EI organization in Granada, and the staff there is professional, organized, and love these children, helping them achieve their goals of education and belonging to the greater community. 5 Stars!!!

Empowerment International (EI) is an amazing organization which I feel extraordinarily fortunate to be associated with over several years. I sponsor two wonderful kids (a boy and a girl) who I have seen grow up before my eyes and have persevered through adverse conditions, with the continuous support and love from EI.
During every visit, I have witnessed love, guidance and attention to all of the kids and the results are evident in their performance at school and social behavior.
It is a wonderful feeling to be a part of these kids' development and none of this would be possible without the hard work by EI on the ground, everyday.

Thank you very much, Empowerment International!!!!!

An amazing organization that truly makes a differences in the lives of kids and adults in Nicaragua. They help in so many way, it's amazing. They provide supplies for kids to go to school (even down to basics like shoes, backpacks, and pencils!), meals, counseling, and opportunities to give back and help tutor others, but it doesn't end there, some even go to college and come back to EI to keep giving back. EI has a real, visible impact on the community -- breaking the cycle of poverty for so many kids and making the local community better. I enjoyed the opportunity I had volunteering with EI. It's truly awesome watching kids enter the program and leave as successful adults (as seen with my own eyes over the past decade that I have been involved!).

I've known this non profit for many years and I've travelled many times to Granada to see with my own eyes the great necessity for their help to the poor families in Via Esperanza and Santa Ana, so that the children can attend school and have a better chance to find a decent job. Apart from school education thanks to the program the children also learn important skills that help them to be well prepared for their future lives. In the last years the situation for the people in Nicaragua has become more and more difficult and it is thanks to organizations like Empowerment that the people can still believe in a better future because the non-profit really cares for their children.
Urs Meister

My husband is originally from Nicaragua and we have normally spent months every winter there. I consider it my second home. We wanted to contribute where our money would make the biggest difference. I trained to be a teacher and lived in Guatemala as a child and am fluent in Spanish. I have a good understanding of the challenges these countries face. Empowerment International spends a minimum on administrative costs and the most goes directly to helping the students in the community. I believe in their priorities. I like that they hire all their staff locally and older students also volunteer their time to tutor younger students. They focus on keeping students in school. We have met all the staff and visited the centre that is open to everyone. The atmosphere is really positive and you can tell the staff believe in what they are doing. You can really see, feel and touch what your help is achieving. I am over impressed with this organization.

I have been a supporter of EI since 2014 — I trust them and what they are doing for the local Nicaraguan community where they are based. Kathy Adams and her staff of young people from the community helping to educate and improve the lives of the young people and their families. I visited them in 2014 and was moved by the effectiveness of their set up.

When we visited Nicaragua in 2015, we loved it - the history and architecture in Granada, the beaches on the Pacific, and especially the people who were very friendly. On our drives, we saw how few opportunities people in the smaller towns seemed to have. When we returned home from the trip, I started looking for an organization in Nicaragua where we might help in some small way.

A friend who directs a non-profit organization in Guatemala told me about EI. When I did some research, I liked the programs that EI had put in place for children to have a better opportunity to stay in school. Then I had the terribly difficult task of selecting a child to sponsor. I chose a young girl who was nine at the time. I have very much enjoyed our correspondence over the past six years, watching (by photos) as she has matured into a young woman and hearing her goals as she enters the “secundaria”. I am proud to be her “madrina”, as she calls me.

I am very happy to have connected with our sponsored child, now teenager, and the Empowerment International organization. Every correspondence I have had with the organization has been promptly answered. I receive regular photos and EI forwards her letters. I highly recommend Empowerment International. They are doing an awesome job to help young people in that country.

When I lived in Colorado I volunteered for the EI fundraiser each year. For a number of years, I have supported a student with a monthly donation. I get letters from the student a few times a year. I think this is a great organization. I wish there were more people helping impoverished international people. Keep up the good work.

I visited Empowerment International 8 years ago and the children and barrios it works with. And…I returned to the US after sponsoring a child. I have since visited many times taking friends who now sponsor a child (or two or three). As an educator, the educational and family support that Kathy Adams and her staff provide to so many children is evident in their progress and continued appearance at all the EI events.

We are been sponsoring kids and volunteering with this group for nearly 10 years. The involvement of the families I think is what supports the children to continue their education. We have been there for some "fun" events and it's great just to see how much fun and joy they bring the kids. All around great program. Super staff!.

I am so grateful to have a trusted place to donate funds and know that 100% of these funds go where I choose. What a delight it is to receive communications with the child I choose to support, Empowerment makes it very easy. I look forward to a continual and long relationship with Empowerment International.

My 15 year old daughter and I sponsor 2 children in Nicaragua through Empowerment International. Through letters and pictures we're able to watch them grow and to hear about their lives and to share ours. I'm so moved by the commitment and caring of all of the people we've come in contact with through the organization - during the California wildfires they even took time from the important work that they do to send us personal emails to make sure that we were OK! During the pandemic they have stepped up for children and their families in ways they couldn't have anticipated and I really appreciate their willingness and ability to be flexible and creative. We can't wait until we can go to Nicaragua to volunteer and to meet the staff and the two sweet kids but in the meantime we continue to support EI by contributing as much as we can.

My name is Anielka, i have been in Empowement International for eleven years and it has been amazing experience for me, i remember that i was in fifth grade of primary and the first thing that they did is give me all supplies to go to school. Empowerment International has been changing my life in different ways, the most important is that i been learning to believe in myself and believe in my dreams. I want to share that i am the first person in my family to go to university and finish the high school and that is a wonderful thing in my life.

Now i am in fourth grade in the university and i am studying business administration and also i had the opportunity to go to the United States and share my history with many people and trough this i could to be embassador for other kids and it was incredible for me.

Thanks to the people who are helping to this organization, because they are changing the life of many kids, families and communities.

Hi, i am an ex-intern but beneficiary of Empowerment International.
I was student of architecture. I met Katy when just was a girl and to me age it interests a lot what to by the children of my community.
Villa Esperanza and Santa Ana, they have improved level of life. Today 90% children and adolescent ranging wing school and many collegue wing. The foundation supported not only childrens but also parents, house monitor for home is very important.
Thanks wing foundation now poverty is not an obstacle on our roads, because we have been taught that education is very important to improve our standard of living and we should strive to achieve a future.

Thanks to all the sponsors, volunteers and donors for believing in Empowerment International. Thank you very much and never stop believing. :-)

I was fortunate enough to be able to spend a week with the good people at Empowerment International. The things they are doing for their community and their children are nothing short of life-changing. The students are amazing and motivated to learn and they are led by a humble and selfless staff who made me feel right at home and part of their family. As an educator myself, I am encouraged and impressed by their efforts to help their students and give them every opportunity to be successful. I will never forget my time spent with them and hope that they continue to change lives in Granada and abroad with people like me. Thank you!

I am an intern and beneficiary of Empowerment. I am a university student studying law and I have belonged to this organization for the past ten years. During these years Empowerment has supported these two comunities Villa Esperanza and Santa Ana; not only has it been concerned with educating us it has also been offering us emotional support and to our families and has provided recreational activities, sports, and photography.
Empowerment is interested in the welfare of all the persons in the organization therefore attaing a high percentage of motivated and persevering students to achieve our goal. Thank you to Empowerment for meeting the goal of breaking the cycle or poverty and for promoting education in all its aspects.

After spending a week in Nicaragua with Empowerment International, I saw first hand how wonderful this organization is! They are truly making an impact on the children that they serve to stay in school thru enrichment programs. In my eyes, this shows me that these children have something to focus on and will stay in school. With education, they have a chance to break the cycle of poverty!

As someone who has previously managed a non-profit in South America, and volunteered and worked for one in Asia, I feel qualified to form an opinion on the work of Empowerment International in Granada - and that opinion is all good! I was truly impressed by the success of their programmes.
The key to their success, I believe, is their close involvement in the barrios where their children live, and their personal and supportive connections with the families of those children.
I volunteered for a week recently, mentoring the young adults in their photography programme. This programme is a prime example of EI's success. What started as a fun, learning activity for the kids has turned into a profitable business, with the kids even developing the business plan for the gallery they now operate where they sell their fine photographic work.
I am a sincere supporter of EI and plan on going back to visit again as soon as I can.

I spent a week with Empowerment International and I was blown away by this organization and the awesome staff that makes it "go" . Not only does this organization help the kids in the community it serves but it also helps the parents that are a vital key in keeping the kids in school and breaking the cycle of poverty. The staff is very caring and are fulay engaged with the success and well being of every child in the program. In addition to helping the kids with education, they offer special interest programs such as photography and mountain biking to expose the kid's to hobbies and further build their self esteem and confidence. I'm.a huge supporter of this organization and and am in awe of how they serve the community.

I have been a contributor to this wonderful, and wonderfully well-run, organization for years now, and can't say enough good things about it. I know the founder personally and can attest to her commitment and diligence in achieving her thoughtful goal of working with underprivileged families to keep their kids in school, and insisting on the cooperation of families and students in doing so.

We have sponsored a child with EI for many years and have taken a few trips to Nicaragua to see the wonderful work EI is doing to help and support children in Nicaragua to attend and stay in school. We are thrilled to be both donors and volunteers of this amazing non-profit.

I have had the honor to meet some great Kids that have honestly benefited by the various programs Empowerment International offers in Nicaragua. The photography program is amazing. To see how some of these kids have evolved throughout the years is exciting. Great job

EI helps children stay in school and even helps adults finish their high school educations! They have a program teaching children photography. As someone who sees how passionate EI is to work in educating their community, I must say it is an amazing nonprofit. I volunteered to assist in the summer of 2016 and can't wait to go!

When I sponsored a child, I traveled to Nicaragua with three other women who also became sponsors--one in her third or fourth year. We visited the center where the children receive tutoring, have access to a computer lab and a library. I'm impressed with the program that encourages the older children to give back by continuing to serve at the center tutoring the younger students. We also visited our sponsored children in their homes, meeting their families. I hope my contact with my sponsored child improves, as I would like to know her progress. Helping one child at a time is empowering for sponsors and the community.

I visited Empowerment International in 2009 and was so impressed with the work they are doing that I have my high school Spanish Honor Society students raise money each year to sponsor EI children. EI provides students the support they need to get the education that will help lift them and their families out of poverty. Kathy Adams has developed a great program.

We sponsor a child with this organization to help him stay in school and get support. We have received photos and letters from our child and get regular updates. We will be visiting Nicaragua and have a chance to even meet him in person. This group is doing great things in the community of Granada to help children stay in school. We support them with donations (sponsorship) and will help out with some volunteer time if possible when we are there. We have seen their facility and met some of the kids and they are the REAL DEAL and care about these kids above everything else!

Absolutely the best non-profit I have ever contributed too. This organization has the best plan for dispensing contributions that I know of. I know the founder personally and can tell you that Kathy Adams is astounding at implementing the founding principles of this non-profit. The vision is to help underprivileged youngsters in Nicaragua gain self-assurance and a heads up on developing a worthwhile career through a strong educational background. I personally sponsor two children who are in the program and have seen first hand the progress they have made by way of their enrollment in Empowerment International.Org. Yes, 5 Stars in every category.

Empowerment International it's the Foundation that it has helped me to overcome several fields in my life. in both personal and social.
Thanks to EI, I study What I Like, Photography and Graphic Design.
Also I lost the fear to socialize and the Foundation Keeps Helping me to Become a Professional.

My wife and I visited with EI in 2012 and my daughter spent the summer volunteering with them. What makes them so special? In my view it is that they live up to their name....EMPOWERMENT! They run on a shoe-string budget so don't throw money at a problem. Instead they take that meager budget and empower the local community to help address the educational and social problems associate with an impoverished community.

I have volunteered with EI in some capacity since 2006. Having lived in Nicaragua for 3 years I know first hand what a terrific organization EI is. I am thrilled to still see the same children in the program every year I visit Nicaragua. The childrens self esteem is higher, they are doing better in school, and are growing to be confident individuals. It is great to see an organization that is teaching the older children skills like tutoring the younger children, photography, and mountain biking. The parents have also become much more involved in their children's lives and education.

I believe in their program. The staff, the Founder and the children are commited to provide and receive education. There is a sense of pride in all they do, they visit the children families and know them by name, they know their stories, a kid is not a number is a child with a name, a story and a future. This organization helps children succeded. I will be forever grateful for the incredible work they do for my country.

I've been taking groups to Nicaragua since 2007 principally for the purpose of raising funds for Empowerment International. As a result, I watched a number of the young people in the program grow, develop, get educated and become unique individuals. Now some of the ones I first met are mentoring and tutoring the younger students and doing a superb job. EI truly changes lives and I'm glad to be able to help. I will be helping lead another delegation this coming February. Morgan Smith, Santa Fe, New Mexico

I have been volunteering with Empowerment International for the past 6 months. I looked for a while around Granada to find an NGO that fit with my skills and also seemed to be offering real, tangible benefits for the people they are serving. EI was started 10 years ago out of the needs of the community, which accounts for its sustainability and productivity. The organization now serves over 300 young people in many different capacities including English tutoring at their community center, access to books, computers, and ipads, a thriving photography program that regularly welcomes photographers from the US and further abroad to support, and work with their students, a bike blub that competes in competitions throughout Nicaragua, and an intern program that supports students in continuing their education by providing scholarships to high school and university- just to name a few. The program is run entirely by a local Nicaraguan staff, which also contributes to its sustainability and success. EI is a committed, dynamic, and thriving non profit that is making a real difference in the lives of the young people they are serving, as well as the families and communities in which they work. Can't recommend it highly enough!

So where shall I begin? There is so much I want to say about this organization. I have been involved with domestic and international not-for-profits for a number of years now and there's no other organization that affects me as much as Empowerment. I grew up in rural China in the 70s and the living condition at that time was quite poor by any standard. However, when I visited Granada (where Empowerment is serving) in March 2013, I was shocked by the conditions there. There was extreme poverty in the areas served by Empowerment (which I was somewhat expecting but I was still surprised by the depth and ubiquitousness of it). Unexpectedly, I also sensed a lack of hope and aspirations. There are deep rooted issues in the culture and society that stand in the way of progress and upward mobility. So how would you address a tough problem like that? Most people would have shrugged and walked away but not the founder and staff of Empowerment. They believe in the kids and they believe that they can make a difference that's fundamental not only in the lives of the kids but also in the future of the families, communities and society that these kids live in and will serve in the future. Change and tipping point have to start somewhere and the founder and staff of Empowerment are living it. They devote themselves to a task that is at once noble, daunting, and personal. Instead of applying bandaids, they take a holistic approach to the problem. Through many trials and errors, they developed an effective program to keep the kids engaged and motivated. The kids in their program have excellent school retention rate. More importantly, through the help of Empowerment, the kids have developed self-confidence which will serve them well in becoming contributing citizens and role models in the future. We root for Empowerment, the kids and their families. It's our duty to help them succeed.

I volunteered with EI, photographing their projects and teaching Photography. I've worked with many NGOs and this is one of my absolute favourites as I can see very clearly the amazing improvement that is happening to the lives of the children and families involved. The staff are very dedicated and passionate, which is contagious. You can see some of what we did in the photo course here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzm3oM10PhM

Empowerment International is a wonderful organization that works to build communities, empower families, and help kids stay in school. I have seen firsthand the incredible difference this nonprofit is making in the lives of children and their communities.

I have worked with Empowerment International (EI) Twice in over about a year. What I love about EI is that look for sustainable solutions that does not create a constant reliance on the donors to survive. These sustainable solution come from within the organization such as setting up art sales, using the older kids to train the younger kids, partnering with external organization to provided skills to the students...who can pass these on the community and younger generation.

A real grassroots organization, steeped into the people and culture of Granada. Deeply invested in the children, but also their families - knowing that parents are key to children attending school. Everything is extremely one-one-one, these kids are really known at EI. Everything is so well thought through, so thoughtful - from the kids tutoring one another to the photography club, to the bike club, to the home visits. They're extremely aware of the needs of children in Nicaragua, and very well education on how to make education happen for them. Excellent experience!

I had the pleasure of volunteering with Empowerment International in conjunction with The Giving Lens to work with some of their students in the photography club last summer. We spent a week getting to know the kids, learning about the organization, and exploring photography in their home city. There are many many wonderful things about this organization and the rock solid small team that leads it all, but what I like best is fundamentally what they are about, empowerment. EI is about guiding their students and their families around the importance of education and learning the tools to be successful and break the chain of poverty. They are a support network, but one that teaches them how to help themselves. It's amazing the amount of work they get done with such a small crew and maintain such a great success record. They are all fully dedicated to changing the lives of so many kids in Granada, Nicaragua. It was an honor to share and exchange with EI and their students while I was there. Their work is important and is making a difference.

We visited Empowerment International Inc. in Nicaragua in 2012 and were overwhelmed by the wonderful work the organization is doing to keep impoverished children in school and giving them a place to learn with other students in a group setting. The enthusiasm of the students was an amazing thing for us to witness. The success of the program in reaching out to oft-ignored children was made very clear in our visit as we witnessed former students who had graduated and were so happy with what Empowerment International did for them that they came back to help tutor the children now going through the program. We were pleased to sponsor one of the children so he would have the financial support he needed to buy books, supplies, and other necessities to stay in school. We think Empowerment International is an outstanding program.

I was introduced to EI at an event in Colorado many years ago. I would be hard pressed to find a more dedicated organization than the folks at EI. I've had the chance to sponsor kids and see them evolve through the program, going from an impoverished environment to one that has many opportunities, all because of the education programs that have been worked on day after day. It is truly inspiring to see what a difference can be made in lives of this kids, their families, and the community. It is a very grassroots effort to work with the kids and get their parents involved and I'm glad to be able to help EI grow year after year.

I first encountered Empowerment International while staying in Granada in 2012. I had visited Nicaragua several times before and was falling in love with the country. I came across an informational pamphlet for EI at a local business, and was intrigued. I emailed, presuming they would get back to me in a few weeks, and I could check out the organization on my next visit. To my surprise, I got an immediate response from Anielka, and I was at the ‘photography exhibit’ the next day!.

My wife and I had the opportunity the next day to meet the children at the EI centre and learn about the program. To say I was impressed was an understatement…..to take kids from homes surviving on a few dollars a day with an average 3rd grade education, and enabling them stay in school – through University!

I discovered an organization that truly helped children in a struggling environment. No religious ties, no political ties, no elite bureaucracy, no massive fundraising machinations….an organization that was completely focused on doing whatever it takes to keep these children in school – and lift them and their families out of the poverty cycle.

Since that first visit I have visited EI several times as a volunteer, fundraising event participant, and supporter. The only paid employees are local Nicaraguans, many who are graduates of the program. The organization has a great policy of always supporting the local community and economy first in everything it does. Know that when you support Empowerment International, ALL of your time, donations, and goodwill is truly supporting the development of underprivileged youth in Nicaragua. I have personally witnessed the amazing results of this organization, and am proud to be involved.

Nicaragua is like no other country we have ever visited; the people are warm and the landscape is beautiful, but the challenges are many. The first thing that hit us as we drove through heavy downpour from Managua to Granada on the night of our arrival in Nicaragua, was that this was neither going to be an ordinary, or easy experience.
Of course, as two English speaking climate and culture-shocked Canadians, we were nervous the first day as we walked to the Empowerment International office to meet the ten children who had signed up to take a week long photography course with us. We had thought that we were heading into the office early that morning, but many of the children were already waiting for us there when we arrived, and they were eager to get started. They greeted us with big smiles, plenty of curiosity, and an instant desire to get involved in helping us get set up. They lent a hand in setting up a workroom for us, and we could feel the level of excitement in the room mounting as we unpacked the new cameras that had been donated to the program by our friends and colleagues in Canada. All of the students were eager to have a chance to examine the new digital cameras they would soon have the chance to use.
Throughout the week-long course we had the opportunity to see Granada through the eyes of the students as we accompanied them to various sites around the city armed with cameras and eager to shoot. We were impressed to see the skills the students possessed, and marvelled at how quickly they caught on to the new concepts we were teaching them. All of the students shot with confidence, unafraid to try the new techniques they were learning, and the beautiful images they began to capture reflected this instantly.
As the days wore on our nerves calmed as we learned that the kids were open to learning from us although we did not share their native tongue. With help from translators (some of the kids in the program included) we were able to share our knowledge with the students, and learn first hand about their world.
We felt honoured by the constant enthusiasm, dedication, and patience they demonstrated while working with us, and we were blown away by the quality of work they produced during our short time together. It became clear to us very quickly that some of the students possessed a raw talent and keen eye for photography. This natural talent, when coupled with unbridled enthusiasm, resulted in the creation of some truly beautiful images.
We were most impressed by the eagerness the children showed to learn as well as to teach. We were able to pass on some of our knowledge about the art and business of photography, and they were willing to open up to us to teach us about their language, culture and community. One of the main highlights for us occurred near the end of our time in Granada when we were accompanied on a walk through the barrio by a few of the students in the program. They invited us into their homes, introduced us to their families, fed us, and gave us a tour of their community. We were humbled by the realities of the lives of the children we had had the opportunity to teach, and grateful for their willingness to allow us into their worlds. Seeing first hand the difficulties that these children faced on a daily basis made us more fully appreciate their dedication and commitment to learning.
When it came time to say our goodbyes we couldn't help but wish we had more time to spend with the students, as each one of them truly touched our hearts.

I've supported EI for over 15 years, including visiting their projects in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. The depth and breadth of the concern by the staff for the kids and the families is astonishing. This concern for each individual drives the unprecedented results they achieve, keeping kids in school and graduating them, even sending them on to university, from communities that have never even imagined such success was possible for their children. I admire their 'home visits' program where each family is visited in person each week to discuss their child's progress and address any barriers to the child's education.

I volunteered for EI from Sept 2011-Feb 2012. It was a wonderful experience. I worked from the US for most of the time and learned so much about how an effective non-profit works. I had the chance to write grants for the organization, among other things. I also had the opportunity to travel to Granada. I loved meeting the local staff. Such an amazing group of people doing incredible work and changing young lives!

I visited EI in Granada, Nicaragua in March 2013. Viewed from the US one may think that EI provides only tutorial assistance to help these children in school. I was so wrong. The poverty in Nica is unimaginable. It's not a matter of just tutoring but working with the family and the child's entire situation to break the cycle of poverty that is so pervasive in the barrios. For example, getting parents to see that staying in school will help the child and family in the long run but this is tough when begging in the streets provides a few immediate coins and children are more likely to tug at the heart strings of tourists.

Kathy and her staff empower families and children to do for themselves. They provide guidance and not a
hand out. They truly seek to teach a child to fish rather than to hand them a fish.

Kathy is dedicated to the long run with her children and deeply cares for the children of the barrio. I now support three children and I know that my donation goes to Kathy's program and the children of the barrios.

I went to Nicaragua in the summer or 2012. It was a life changing experience. I never had intentions of visiting Nicaragua, but I was introduced to Empowerment International (EI) through another organization called the Giving Lens. I wanted to go on a trip where photography and humanitarian work would be integrated, thus I signed up for Nicaragua. When I arrived, I immediately felt the grassroots, critical work being done by EI when we got to work with the children from the poor communities EI works with. As someone who has never visited poor countries, I've only experienced "poor" in the US. There is a drastic difference in being poor in Nicaragua. EI is doing fantastic work giving these children, and the communities they live in, the tools to succeed. I absolutely love the premise of EI, which is to give the kids the tools they need to succeed for the long term. They are not about handouts or "bandage" solutions, although they do help there as well when needed. What also amazes me about EI, is the dedication of the founder/director, the staff, the volunteers, and the kids. There is a passion that drives the organization. EI is a very small organization, and one I hope will grow to its full potential in the future. The world needs more non-profits like EI. The trip was a truly eye opening experience. I thought I would go and teach the kids about photography, but in the end, I was the one who was taught.

Empowerment International is a grass roots foundation that helps the poorest children of Nicaragua have a chance at life. They work with the whole child to make sure the children build up their self esteem and give them the tools to be able to succeed. I first met the founder, Kathy Adams, in 2005 while I was living in Nicaragua with my family. I have been consistently impressed with the quality of care given to these children and their families. The community center has become a hub of activity where the children can do their homework with peer tutors after school. They have implemented an incredible photography program, biking club and now even have children that started with them 8 years ago attending college!! That is unbelievable and completely awesome!

I continue to be inspired by the work that is being done by Kathy Adams and the other folks at Empowerment Intermational. Just spend a day with the kids from the barrios that participate in the program and you' be inspired too. The extracurricular activies the participants are involved in include a bike and photography club. The bike club continues to win competitions and by Having the kids lead these programs instills a sense of responsibility in them. EI's basic mission is to do whatever it takes to empower a child to break the cycle if poverty through education. But the organization goes far beyond this basic mission. Without EI, I'm afraid to think what would happen to the kids that wouldn't be getting an education otherwise.

I have been visiting Nicaragua for five years and working with children in sustainable education projects there. Last summer I met Kathy Adams, the director, and some of her staff. After some lively discussion about socio/economic influences on education and educational philosophy, I was asked if I would give some advice to the tutors at EI who work with students with learning challenges (in the U.S. I am a special education teacher and English as a Second Language teacher. I also teach English as a Foreign Language in Nicaragua). After a visit with some students and their tutor, I found that I only needed to offer a little guidance, as what they really needed was support for the wonderful work that they were already doing. Their knowledge of the educational needs of the students, as well as their strong intuitive responses to their individual learning styles and needs were a joy to witness. I was also deeply moved by the welcome responses of the families in the communities which EI serves. Most importantly, however, is that the work that Kathy and her team does will lead these young people to a life of independence which will ultimately work towards sustaining the communities in which they live. Although EI generosity is an everyday occurrence, it is a generosity of spirit and necessary tools, not handouts which lead to dependency. EI is highly respected by the people with whom it works and by anyone who understands the true meaning of sustainable development. The future of Nicaragua is with the young people and EI is a key element in their development.

I volunteered to raise funds and attend the 8 day, 375 mile bike ride around Lake Nicaragua in Jan 2011. I assisted with driving a support vehicle and I raised $2,060 in donations so I could bike/attend the event.

I also hosted a "meet and greet" between Kathy Adams, CEO/Founder and some of my friends when Kathy visted the DC area in Sept 2010. We skyped Deepa and some of the kids in from Nicaragua. It was a fun evening and allowed for my friends to meet Kathy and the kids firsthand and learn much about EI.

I met Kathy Adams, the Executive Director at a EI fundraiser over 3 years ago. What impressed me about Kathy was her grass roots approach to forming this wonderful non-profit as well as her dedication to helping Nicaraguan children get access to education. Both Kathy and the rest of the EI staff are so dedicated to empowering communities and families. In addition, EI has a 97% retention rate that shows both a high level of commitment from the children and their families that benefit from this organization. What I really admire about EI is that they utilize a sustainable non-profit approach to better the lives of the children and families who live in the barrios outside of Granada.

I volunteered with EI because they are one of the few out there who are actually doing Aid right. They really do empower communities, one family at a time. No messing with local economy. No messing with role of parents. No free hand outs. They meet parents halfway and support them in sending their kids to school. Parents remain parents to their kids, not EI.