SRF NEWS

Registered Charity No. 1028085

Issue 41, June/July 2013

Supporting educational initiatives and projects in Nicaragua www.santarosafund.org

Committed volunteering, flightless travel and reporting back to SRF supporters

James Watson (below) was one of the Santa Rosa Funds 2007 volunteers who spent a month at the Santa Rosa School in Managua to begin the process of training members of staff in how to use the computers that had been provided by the British Embassy and the SRF. In November 2012, James embarked upon an epic return journey to Central America. We describe it as epic because James undertook not to fly during his travels. He has made regular inputs to a blog of his activities, and this can be followed at http://www.enca.org.uk/flightlesstravel.htm which is a site hosted by ENCA, the Environmental Network for Central America. His blog entries make fascinating reading, but he also sent various reports of his visits to SRF-supported projects, and we reproduce his latest report as our main story here.

James with teachers at the Santa Rosa School

SRF Newsletter No.41, June/July 2013, page 1

By James Watson For several years now one of the key benefits that Colegio Santa Rosa in Managua has received from its connection with the Santa Rosa Fund has been increased access to computer resources. In 2007 I was lucky enough to be a part of some of the early stages of this process, when I volunteered as part of a small group giving classes to the teachers on the basics of how to use some of the original computers the SRF helped the school get. In January this year I was in Nicaragua again, and jumped at the opportunity to revisit the school and deliver an SRF payment. While there I saw how their computer lab see photo has developed, and the role and importance their computers have assumed. It was a pleasure to see the teachers again, and they were extremely welcoming and eager to show me some of the other recent developments made possible by the SRF, and some of their ideas for the future.

was shown around by several of the teachers I had known back in 2007, in particular Mayra Caldern, now one of the main computer teachers, Subdirectors Marcia and Claudia, and Director Maria Elizabeth. When I was in Managua in 2007 the city was still suffering frequent long power cuts due to a shortage of power generation. Although the school had recently received computers from the Fund, we were never able to use them in the month we visited as the power was always out. This had been cut off by Union Fenosa the transnational supplying much of the country in an attempt to blackmail the government into allowing it to raise its prices. Revisiting in 2013, the Sandinista government has overcome this attempt to hold the country hostage, and the school has come leaps and bounds in the expansion of their computer resources and how they use them. They have a very smart little room in the central building of the school dedicated to the computers, and with the help of the SRF have gradually filled this room up with equipment. As well as a couple of printers and other extra pieces, they now have 5 computers set up in the room. Mayra Caldern showed me the most recent, just bought new with SRF support, a fast and up-to-date machine that any school in the UK would be proud of. Having a couple of staff members paid to dedicate extra time to the computers and their maintenance is probably a big part of this integration and development of the school to the use of computers. Mayra one of the two staff receiving an extra salary bonus from the SRF to work with the machines showed me some of the programmes they are using and want to use

I was in Nicaragua from November 2012 to March 2013 volunteering with a health clinic in the north of the country. While there, I made a weekend trip to Managua to deliver to the school US$1,960 on behalf of the SRF. $750 of this was for the SRF's general school fund, US$360 consisted of 12 months' worth of staff bonuses to the two staff members who manage the school's computers, US$700 for the year's computer maintenance expenses, and an extra US$150 for the purchase of a new mobile internet dongle see later for explanation and contract to increase the school's access to the internet. The school was in the long Christmas holidays when I visited, its students studying for imminent exams, so I didn't see much of the classes. However, in the two days I was there I

Mayra Caldern at one of the schools computers

SRF Newsletter No.41, June/July 2013, page 2

on the new computer. It was clear she knew her stuff, and was an important part of passing this knowledge on to the other teachers and the pupils. She showed me a programme they've been using with younger children combining writing, typing and computer drawing and design skills, and I copied across to their machines the free alternative to expensive Microsoft Office packages, Open Office, for them to try out. Another new addition to the computer room that Mayra was keen to show me was the air conditioning unit recently funded by the SRF. The unit must be a welcome relief for her and the other people working in the compact space of the computer lab, with all its machinery and the muggy Nicaraguan climate.

building. The school had asked the government to make the repairs to the library but they

Marcia showing the wash basins

Mayra pointing out the air conditioning system bought by the SRF

responded that they didn't have the budget. However, Claudia told me that with the initial investment from the SRF, the government had been willing to further the repairs by paying to replace the roof as well. The library still isn't up to the standard the school would like though, and Claudia suggested they were going to request some of the next available funds from the SRF to go into it again. She showed me that they want to replace another section of the building's walls that is still crumbling, and various tables and chairs that are damaged and that they have found too big to use in the space of the library.

Outside of the computer room, Subdirectors Claudia and Marcia, both of whom I'd worked a lot with in 2007, also showed me around the rest of the school. Marcia showed me the big outdoor washbasins provided with SRF money in 2010, impressive tiled constructions built to reduce crowding in the toilet areas. Despite various signs and warnings not to, Marcia see photo showed me that they were also being used to sit on, unfortunately sustaining some early damage where tiles had fallen off as a result. Claudia showed me recently bought SRF football nets and other equipment to increase the outdoor sports available to the students, and the impressive library space that I remembered from 2007. As well as shelves that the SRF had enabled them to buy to maintain their stocks of books, she showed me the new outer wall paid for with SRF money to maintain the old

Sub-directora Claudia in the library

One part of the money I delivered for the SRF was to be used to buy a new dongle a device that plugs into the USB of any computer and connects it to the internet over the same network as mobile phones use and to pay for the contract to activate this connection. Mayra was already looking at the different internet packages available when I arrived at the school. In Nicaragua, as in many developing countries, SRF Newsletter No.41, June/July 2013, page 3

the physical wiring to provide a fast internet is generally not available, and mobile internet technology appears to be a very popular alternative that is over-taking fixed internet. I myself had already bought a Nicaraguan pay-asyou go internet dongle that had been serving me very well in the North of the country, working in the disconnected clinic and even in the relatively remote colonia where I was staying. I had found that with this internet connection I could use all the resources of the internet to help the work of the clinic without having to leave it to go to an internet cafe, making me a lot more productive in my time there. Just as the Colegio Santa Rosa demonstrated to me its own rapid leap over the last 5 years into successful, intelligent and efficient use of computers, in Nicaragua as a whole computers are becoming more and more widespread and important. In the relatively rural area of El Viejo where I was staying, personal computers are still a rarity, but more and more people are aspiring to own their own. Computers are increasingly becoming not just a benefit but a necessity to businesses and organisations, as they have been in England for many years now. Easier and cheaper access to the internet as provided by mobile internet dongles is expanding this process further, adding the array of tools available on the internet to the benefit of computer access. As computers become more and more common both at work and at home, the Nicaraguans I met are increasingly seeing the importance of an education in computer skills. Unemployment levels in Nicaragua are depressingly high, and for people hoping to be able to find a good job especially in urban areas a lack of computer abilities is a real barrier. Similarly, businesses and social organisations struggling to maintain themselves with the shortage of resources in Nicaragua also find themselves held back by a lack of knowledge of how to get the best out of computers. In El Viejo I ran into this awareness so much that as part of my volunteer work I decided to run classes on computer skills for people working in local unions and health care institutions.

The development of the Colegio Santa Rosa's computer resources and their skills using them is thus particularly valuable at the moment. With the stark lack of resources available to state education in Nicaragua, the relatively costly investments required for computer resources makes it an extremely worthwhile place for outside donors such as the Santa Rosa Fund to focus their money. The new computers and trained and committed staff will be an increasingly important boon for the students as knowledge of computers becomes more and more expected of school-leavers. Particularly important the new expansion of the school's internet access will allow more of its students to make the leap into the staggering growth of international social networks, the expanding array of cheap tools, and near-infinite sources of information that the internet now represents. I am still in Central America at the moment, and hoping to return to the school one last time before I leave to return to the UK. As well as seeing the successes they've had with their computer lab, it was great just spending a bit of time with the very friendly and committed staff there, who welcomed me back with open arms. Aside everything else, I had the opportunity to go out with them and enjoy the atmosphere of the newly developed Malecon and Puerto Allende, the gaudy face of the Sandinistas efforts to develop their capital. More than

James in 2007 being taught salsa by Gabriela, a former pupil at the Santa Rosa School who went on to represent Nicaragua in the national dance troupe

anything, I'm hoping to have another chance to practice my dancing skills in the heart of their city!

SRF Newsletter No.41, June/July 2013, page 4

VOLUNTEERING AND INFORMATION EVENING FOR SRF SUPPORTERS AND POTENTIAL VOLUNTEERS
Friday 25th October 2013 Tavistock Town Hall The Rundle Room
Mexican food / Film clips of volunteering in Nicaragua / Project updates / The opportunity to chat with former volunteers Tea, coffee, cake. The Town Hall bar will be open.

We are hoping that James will be present at the event, along with many other former volunteers to chat with supporters and future potential volunteers about the work of the Santa Rosa Fund and the possibilities for volunteering.

Performers Without Borders

In March this year, Liz Light, the Nicaragua Solidarity Campaigns woman in Managua, arranged for Performers Without Borders Nicaragua Troupe to entertain students at the Colegio Santa Rosa, the Santa Rosa Funds twin school. Rob, Emily, Bags, Jake, Jess, Moira and JL kept the kids raptured with hula hoop tricks, juggling, slackrope walking, bench balancing, cristal ball manipulation, and more. The performers all hail from the UK and are self-funded volunteers for the UK charity Performers Without Borders (PWB). They were in Nicaragua for 3 months participating in festivals, entertaining in schools, and running workshops with different childrens projects. They have been working with the Escuela de Comedia y Mimo in Granada, CEINBA (Barrilete Integral Education Centre Association) in Len and with Los Quinchos in San Marcos, as well as taking the time out to perform at schools in Managua that are supported by the Islington Managua Friendship Association and the SRF. PWB is a volunteer run charity that believes in the transformative power of learning and performing the arts. It aims to help vulnerable children explore their potential by teaching them performance skills which will develop their capacity for learning, creativity and team work, as well as helping to build confidence, develop empowerment and overcome social barriers. The charity PWB has existed for about five years but this was their first sojourn to Central America and they hope it will not be their last. So do we! A few members of the troupe are from towns that have twinning links with Nicaragua. Jake is from Swindon linked with Ocotal and Bags is from Bristol linked with Puerto Morazan. The rest of the crew are Rob from the Scottish Highlands, Emily and Tom from Brighton, Jess from London, Moira from Edinburgh and JL from Northern Ireland. For further information on their good work, visit their website www.performerswithoutborders.org.uk SRF Newsletter No.41, June/July 2013, page 5

Two farewells
We say farewell and many thanks for all their work for the Santa Rosa Fund to two people who have been really helpful to the Fund over the past few years, Nicaraguan William Vargas Daz and Canadian Bruce Callow.

William Vargas Daz

In 2008, the Berriz Sisters appointed William Vargas Daz to the post of Director of the Recreation Centre in El Viejo and he has done a wonderful job of organising events and activities there. The place exudes organisation, energy, enthusiasm and creativity, and many developments have taken place in the Centre during Williams management. These have been reported in the SRF Newsletters. The Berriz Sisters used some of the SRFs annual donation to their work to pay Williams salary, and each year William has sent us detailed reports of the work of the Centre. The latest reports for 2012 are on the SRF website, and we urge all our supporters to pay a visit to them even though they remain in Spanish as we have not had the time to translate them yet. They are worth visiting as they are full of photos which give a good idea of the valuable work done by the El Viejo Recreation Centre. William has left to ply his creative and organisational skills elsewhere in Nicaragua, and he recently became a very proud father for the first time. The Fund thanks William for all the work that he has successfully completed in his five years in El Viejo and we send him and his family very best wishes for the future.

Bruce Callow
Bruce Callow is a singer/songwriter but has worked as political and communications officer in the British Embassy in Costa Rica for the last 9 years with special responsibility for Nicaragua. He has assisted the Santa Rosa Fund, and more importantly the Santa Rosa School in several of our projects, especially the delivery of the computers to the school. It was Bruce who suggested that the school could have use of the Embassys computers when they were being decommissioned from the Embassy. The computers were very gratefully received, but sadly we never gained any state secrets from them. Bruce initiated numerous other development projects in Nicaragua, including improving prison conditions on the Atlantic coast. The projects he worked on were always designed to improve the lives of the poorest and most marginalised in Nicaragua. His strong bond with the region of Central America highlighted his two great commitments to social justice and inexpensive beer. Bruce said: After nine satisfying years here at the UK embassy I have resigned to take on new challenges. This will include a 3 month work stint up in Canada. My last day here at the office is in May. [To the Santa Rosa Fund:] I have enjoyed our collaborations over the years; thanks for all you do to make things a bit better in Nicaragua. It is typical of Bruce that his three month work stint in Canada means working at Calgarys biggest drop-in centre for homeless people. You can read more about Bruce and listen to his music on: https://www.outboundmusic.com/brucecallow/

SRF Newsletter No.41, June/July 2013, page 6

SRF Monies transferred to Nicaragua in January this year

To the Colegio Santa Rosa in US dollars ($) total = $3,460:
$1,500 for the monthly purchases of educational materials $750 to the General School Fund $360 paid as monthly bonuses to two members of staff to take charge of computing in the school $700 to cover the running costs of computing at the school $150 to purchase a new dongle see James account $1,000 to cover the costs of the education of the children in the village of Los Pocitos $7,000 for the many educational projects run by the Sisters

To the Berriz Sisters in El Viejo total = $8,000: To the Asociacin Quincho Barrilete (street children project): $500 The total transferred at the beginning of 2013 was therefore US$11,960.
[The Fund also donated 200 each to two other Nicaraguan educational causes, The Little Cob and Los Quinchos.]

Since our last newsletter we have had two fund-raising events, reported below.

Entertainment Evening, November 2012

Rob Barratt and Gadjo Guitares performed in Whitchurch Village Hall, Devon, for the benefit of the Santa Rosa Fund. Rob has been a long-time supporter of the Santa Rosa Fund. He is a comic poet and singer and for us he performed the poems shown in the box. You can find more details of his poems and songs at www.robbarratt.co.uk Gadjo Guitares (left) have performed for us before and gave another top class performance of acoustic, flamenco, gipsy and jazz guitar. More details of their work can be found at www.myspace.com/gadjoguitares
Seventeen in Aberdeen The Troofa bout the Garra Rufa Zennorphobe The seat by the toilet I'm not Joe Brown No Turners at the Turner Like, literally awesome When I'm 68

64 people were there and the Fund made a profit of 369.70 on the evening. We are very grateful to all who helped on the night and all who made cakes for sale.

Quiz Night, April 2013

Yet again, we are ever so grateful to Malcolm and Judith Medhurst for running another SRF Quiz Night with a degree of difficulty previously unknown to humanity. Taxing questions, impossible for some of us, nevertheless fascinated all 11 teams present. Team names included Lashings of Ginger Beer, Have I got Mews For You, Los Tontos and The Milk Snatchers. The Fund is grateful to all who helped us to raise 248 on the night, all who took part and especially to Malcolm who must spend the rest of the year devising his next quiz.

Volunteer opportunity with Street Child Football World Cup

Casa Alianza UK is looking for a Volunteer Project Coordinator for Team Nicaraguas participation in the Street Child Football World Cup. In 2010, Casa Alianza Nicaragua was invited to participate in the Street Child World Cup held in Durban, South Africa. Their participation was managed by Casa Alianza UK. In 2014, Casa Alianza Nicaragua will participate with a girls team and a boys team and their participation will be managed by Casa Alianza UK in partnership with Casa Alianza Nicaragua. SRF Newsletter No.41, June/July 2013, page 7

Attendance at meetings in London will be required along with attendance at a Project Leaders summit in Cambridge. The Project Coordinator is expected to support the teams participation in the Street Ch ild World Cup in Brazil from 24th March to 12th April, 2014. Fluency in Spanish is required. More details about the post can be found at: www.casa-alianza.org.uk/ Applications should be sent to casalnzauk@gn.apc.org

2012 Accounts and a Note from the treasurer

With this newsletter you will find the Funds accounts for 2012. The Santa Rosa Fund has always tried to send as much money as possible to the projects which it supports in Nicaragua whilst always keeping a reasonable amount for contingencies in our bank account and at the same time making sure that we never go into the red. Over the years we have arrived at a system that works well and we thought that we should explain this process in the current newsletter. We always hold a planning meeting in the late Autumn when we identify how much money should be available for the following year and then allocate provisional amounts to the different initiatives which we support. These include the Santa Rosa school and for many years an allocation for disbursement by the Berriz Sisters to their projects and for Los Pocitos. Most years we are also able to send a donation to the street children's project, Asociacin Quincho Barrilete, and new projects such as Little Cob. Once confirmed at the end of the year, these amounts are sent by bank transfer to Nicaragua. Quite often smaller amounts of money are distributed by trustees later in the year when visiting Nicaragua. This explains why at the end of our financial year we always have a healthy amount showing in our bank account which could look as if we are holding too much money back in the UK. We plan for this amount to build up during the year so that early in the new year we are in a position to meet all of our commitments in Nicaragua. Of course none of this would be possible without the continuing loyal support we get from all of you; standing orders for whatever amount are particularly useful because they give us confidence in our forward planning. Thanks to all of you, Pat Mayston, treasurer of the Santa Rosa Fund, on behalf of the SRF trustees.

Electronic version of the newsletter

The SRF is proud of the fact that we manage to send out a high proportion of the money we raise to the projects which we support in Nicaragua, rather than losing so much on propping up an administration system. One of the major costs that we incur is that of newsletter production and postage, and one way of reducing postage costs is to encourage supporters to switch from the paper copy to the electronic copy. Whilst we are pleased with each postage cost saved every time someone switches, we are aware that some people prefer a paper copy, so we shall continue to produce paper copies of the newsletter. If, however, you wish to receive the electronic copy, please send an email to our membership secretary contact details below.

SANTA ROSA FUND CONTACTS

Chair:

www.santarosafund.org

Pete Mayston, Rose Cottage, Tuckermarsh, Bere Alston, Yelverton, Devon PL20 7HB Tel. 01822 840297 Email: mayston@waitrose.com Secretary: Jacky Rushall, Culliford House, The Down, Bere Alston, Yelverton, Devon PL20 7HG Tel. 01822 841676 Treasurer: Pat Mayston as for Pete (above) Twinning links representative: Rick Blower, Cloberry Cottage, Brentor, Tavistock, Devon PL19 0NG Tel. 01822 810600 Email: r.blower@btinternet.com Membership secretary: Martin Mowforth, 51 West St., Tavistock, Devon PL19 8JZ Tel. 01822 617504 Email: mmowforth@plymouth.ac.uk

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER SRF Newsletter No.41, June/July 2013, page 8