Richland Center - Santa Teresa
Sister City Project

Education

The Sister City Project works with students, parents, teachers and local officials to improve educational access at the primary, secondary and post-secondary levels.

School construction and repair

SCP cooperates with the Nicaraguan Ministry of Education to make improvements in school facilities. In 2017, with SCP funding the construction materials, La Poma community members built a new preschool. Thanks to a donation from the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers/Madison, a school kitchen is being built at the La Chota elementary school.

Supplementing school lunches

Basic nutrition is provided by the Nicaraguan government, and mothers from the community take turns cooking a hot meal at lunch time. SCP provides supplemental support.  The diet includes rice, beans, and plátanos, with the addition of local vegetables.

School supplies for elementary school students

Packets of school supplies are provided for each of the preschool and elementary school children and their teachers in the five Chacocente schools, La Chota, El Terrero, Escalante, La Poma and El Papalón. In recent years, over 200 packets have been delivered annually. Additional equipment and supplies are provided  as budget priorities are identified. In 2017 the classrooms received dictionaries, maps, natural science posters and text books.

Scholarships for secondary school students

The Chacocente village schools only go through sixth grade. Twenty-five to thirty graduating students receive SCP scholarships of up to $200 each year to encourage their continuation to secondary school.  All scholarship students must maintain a grade average of 80% or greater in their courses.  The number of students has grown since the program began in 2011.  Graduates from recent years are in college classes, with plans to work as nurses and teachers. For details,  contact  SCPscholar@gmail.com

Academic Excellence Award

In each of the past 3 years, SCP has given awards of up to $500 to the two scholarship students graduating from secondary school with the highest grade averages. This is to help them continue their education in college or technical school. Two of our early recipients have graduated from nursing programs and are working in the communities.