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Our first project as BRIDGE Nicaragua is the construction of a 18'x30' library and computer center for Morrito Nicaragua which grew out of our first trip.

Our second trip will be in Jan 2009 and we are still looking to raise the other $11,900 and more people who are interested in coming. See our proposal below for details.

Aug 2008 Trip

This page Has the travel log and initial plans for the first trip that we took in August 2008. You can see photos from that trip here.

Jan 2009 Trip

This page Has the information on our plans for Jan 2009 including information for people planning to come.

Proposal

This is a request for the remainder of the 12,000 dollars required to build a two room computer lab and library for the community of Morrito Nicaragua. BRIDGE Nicaragua (Building Resources in International Development for Global Equality) is a student organization composed of students and faculty from San Francisco State University. The community in Morrito, Nicaragua, has experienced hardship due to a lack of clean running water, internet and community lending libraries for children and adults. The government of Nicaragua reports that Morrito is the third poorest municipality in Nicarauga, and 34% of the population lives in extreme poverty at less than 1$ per day. We want to empower Morritans and there is no better way to do that than to expand access to information and education with a library and computer center.

The structure will be placed on the site of the largest elementary school in the municipality, and be managed by the school after construction to provide materials to the entire community. The only current library in Morrito is 30 years old and is composed of only 50 books in a community of 7000 people.

How this Project Came About

Our attention was originally called to the area by an engineer from California who had been to the community to visit his wife's family in September 2007. After seeing the conditions in Morrito, he began to petition various NGO's for assistance. In early April, 2008, community leaders met with several teachers to prioritize needs in Morrito. During this meeting, teachers decided that the highest priority at this time the construction of a building to house a library and future computer laboratory.

Library Plans

We will be coordinating with many entities to complete this project. UNI, an engineering university in Managua is very experienced in development projects and is designing the structure so that it can be constructed with local skills and materials and is accepted within Nicaraguan building codes.

We are also hoping that one of several existing library charities we have identified will help us obtain our initial collection of books and guide the development of our library policies. BRIDGE Nicaragua will coordinate all aspects of the project, recruit volunteers and raise the necessary funds.

Fund Raising

the 12,000 requested will be used only for construction material purchase and transport and the skilled labor required for construction. Unskilled labor will be provided primarily by the community and also by San Francisco State University Students and Faculty. All volunteers are responsible for their own travel and lodging expenses. One hundred percent of donations will go to construction of the structure. Unspent funds will be donated to Whirlwind Wheelchair which designs wheel chairs for developing countries around the world.

So far we have raised $100 of $12,000.

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