Xochotlapan Project, Nicaragua

See the progress you helped make happen in your sponsored community

When the project started, one in four children under five was chronically malnourished and education opportunities were limited because of poverty. Clean drinking water was not always available.

Thanks to your support, your sponsored child and other children in the Xochotlapan community have improved access to education, healthcare and nutritious food and there is more awareness of their rights.

Together we've achieved so much

Seven schools have been equipped with books and learning resources

In addition, 25 reading clubs were set up in seven schools and 52 child monitors trained to support children attending the clubs.

  • 116 primary teachers have been trained in interactive teaching methods. This has helped to increase the percentage of children progressing to the next grade from 80 percent in 2014 to 97 percent in 2016.
  • There was a 34 percent increase in the number of children enrolled in primary school between 2016 and 2017 following a collaborative effort between the project and the Ministry of Education.
  • 400 students participated in school clean-up programs in 2016, creating a more hygienic learning environment.

The health status of 500 children has improved

This followed the project’s efforts to increase access to healthcare and conduct health education in the community.

  • 45 health promoters have been trained to monitor the health and growth of children aged below five and educate parents and caregivers on child health and nutrition issues.
  • The project participated in a major campaign to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika virus that reached 2,079 families.
  • 15 families with malnourished children were supported to set up home vegetable gardens so they can provide their children with more nutritious meals. A further 62 parents were trained how to set up their own vegetable garden.

The project supplied 170 water filters to families of children aged below five

This has helped to ensure that these families have clean water to drink.

  • 337 parents and caregivers learned about the importance of personal and dental hygiene for their children.
  • 76 percent of children aged 6-12 reported practising at least three hygiene habits in 2016, including hand-washing, brushing their teeth and washing fruit before eating. This followed hygiene education sessions in 40 schools and distribution of personal hygiene kits to 2,597 students.

"Our children no longer suffer from diseases. This is due to the knowledge that we have about the care of the health of our children."

- Daisis, aged 31