Nicaragua Vision Trip (Vision Nicaragua)
*Additional Vision Trip Resources below: PURPOSE: Ron and Marty Read have joined with Vision Nicaragua to provide micro-finance opportunities in the economically impoverished Chinandega, Nicaragua area. As a team, you will join with the project staff, men and women of the villages in construction, training and development opportunities. Specific projects might involve, construction, painting, food distribution, medical clinics, children’s activities and training to run an efficient and profitable business. We will have opportunities to spiritually engage through Bible studies with the adults and children,depending on the makeup (gifts, abilities, desires) of the team. The main employment for the men in this area of Nicaragua are the sugar cane fields. The pesticides used in these fields are so strong that most of the men develop kidney failure and die at a young age. One of the goals of the Read's ministry is to develop businesses in the area that offer jobs for the men in providing alternative opportunities for employment outside of the cane fields. See the video below which shares more about the injustices these men are facing: WHERE: Chinandega, Nicaragua WHEN: July 14-22 (Application/Deposit Deadline: April 30) WHAT IS THE COST: The estimated cost of the trip is $1500 (this is an approximate cost and trip cost may vary slightly depending on airline ticket prices.) Don't let finances keep you from applying or pursuing the trip opportunity. Financial assistance is available for vision trip participants who regularly attend Common Ground, and the request form can be accessed here. *Requests will not be evaluated or approved until one month prior to trip departure date. This financial assistance opportunity is intended to supplement trip participant's active engagement in sacrificial giving, fundraising efforts and faithful prayer for financial provision. The submission of this financial assistance request does not guarantee the receipt of funds and each request will go through a review process. For resources on fundraising for Common Ground Vision Trips, see below. TRIP LEADERS: Ron and Marty Read REQUIREMENTS:
*This is a family friendly trip and children over the age of 8 may participate if accompanied by a parent. COUNTRY INFORMATION: The Pacific coast of Nicaragua was settled as a Spanish colony from Panama in the early 16th century. Independence from Spain was declared in 1821 and the country became an independent republic in 1838. Britain occupied the Caribbean Coast in the first half of the 19th century, but gradually ceded control of the region in subsequent decades. Violent opposition to governmental manipulation and corruption spread to all classes by 1978 and resulted in a short-lived civil war that brought the Marxist Sandinista guerrillas to power in 1979. Nicaraguan aid to leftist rebels in El Salvador caused the US to sponsor anti-Sandinista contra guerrillas through much of the 1980s. Free elections in 1990, 1996, and 2001, saw the Sandinistas defeated, but voting in 2006 announced the return of former Sandinista President Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra. The 2008 municipal elections were characterized by widespread irregularities. Nicaragua's infrastructure and economy - hard hit by the earlier civil war and by Hurricane Mitch in 1998 - are slowly being rebuilt, but democratic institutions face new challenges under the ORTEGA administration. (source: CIA - The World Fact Book) HISTORY: Ron Read has been working with Vision Nicaragua since 2009. Ron and his wife Marty have been married over 30 years and they have been involved with young adult/student ministry and missions for over two decades. Ron has been working in international manufacturing, business development and executive business leadership for over 30 years and he brings that experience to Vision Nicaragua. His role is to help develop businesses that will provide alternative job opportunities for the men outside of the sugar cane fields. Learn more on their partner page. HOW DO I APPLY: Trip applications can be downloaded here. *For questions or additional information, email Vision Trip Resources
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