January 2010

8:43 PM

Annual Assembly

There were 14 members present – a good representation from the churches. The morning was spent in reports of the different programs; in the afternoon they presented the program (ones that had been going for a couple of years and new programs) that the board was projecting for the coming year. The proposed budget was presented and accepted. The outgoing board also proposed that Elizabeth continue as director. Then the elections took place.

The multi-sports court has been started.

Lester & Darlene will be on site until March.

Posted in News Comments Off

November 2009

8:24 PM

All of the programs as CINAG are finishing their school year. The “Life Skills “ program finishes on November 19, the Preschool and High School are done on the 20th.

The staff at CINAG will stay on to take a complete inventory and do written reports. They also are planning the Christmas activities for the children and adolescents.

Elizabeth , the director of CINAG recently had a meeting with Child and Family services, and they have not changed their position. All centres will be closed and the children returned to their families where possible, and the others will go to Ometepe centre.
In view of limited possibilities of reinstating a resident program, the board and staff of CINAG are developing plans with local churches to have short retreats at CINAG for abuse victims and then continuing in a role of mentorship with volunteers on a local level.

Elizabeth writes “I strongly believe in CINAG. CINAG is a blessing to the children and adolescents. We are surprised to see the huge change in them and also in the women, mothers of these children. Due to regular medical attention and more nutritious lunches they are all healthier. We are very grateful to all who support the children and adolescents of CINAG. I know we don’t have the power to respond to each case of abuse, violence and poverty but together we can do something to correct the difficult situation our country and our children are in.”

Posted in News Comments Off

July 2009 Update

8:23 PM

The new profile for resident children has been approved: boys ages 4 – 10 years. Elizabeth will go to the Ministry of Family Services to get the certificate on Monday.
Please pray for the staff as they prepare for this next step.Pray that they will be able to get some training to prepare them for this new phase.Pray that God would direct in the choice of boys that the Ministry sends to them.

Posted in News Comments Off

June 2009 Update

8:22 PM

The Resident program is still functioning even though all but one of the girls have been relocated either to their homes, with relatives or foster homes or to other centres. PRAY that the girls in their new environment will adjust well and put into practise some of the instruction they received at CINAG.

Three former residents are come to CINAG on Saturdays to help with crafts (bracelet weaving, making gift bags, etc), fill special orders and to get materials for their own crafts which they sell. PRAISE God that they are putting to use skills they learned while at CINAG and for this continuing contact.

The CINAG board approved the application of a new resident profile. The application documents have been submitted to the Ministry of Family Services for boys ages 4 – 10. They have been informed that CINAG is among the first 20 to be considered but it appears to be a slow process. In the meantime they will continue to have girls in residence and work with community programs.

The Life Skills program for Children at Risk has 30 community children three afternoons a week. A new group of needy kids was selected. Many of these children are malnourished and have illnesses. PRAY for Esther Vado who directs the program and Angie Noguera who assists with crafts. They especially enjoy the Bible stories, singing and recreation.

The Youth Program has been a hit with the community teenagers. The 20 that began have brought their friends bringing attendance to 30. Since many of the boys have dropped out of school they have added some basic continuing education one day a week. They have also started a garden on the CINAG property and want to start a small poultry production. José Ramón Noguera and Pastor Nicolas Sequiera direct this program.

The Youth Social Development program at the La Salle High School in Diriamba has been well received. José Ramón and his assistant Duilio, engage over 300 grades 9 & 10 in a 45 minute class each week (in 7 different classes). They focus on themes of self-esteem, leadership, morals, sexuality, interpersonal relationships, making good life choices, etc. There has been good response from students, teachers and parents providing opportunity for further dialogue on personal and spiritual matters. PRAY for this program.

Two new Special Projects have been approved by ACTION Canada for fund-raising:
• A MultiSport Court (12 x 24 meters) to have a better sports and recreation area. Total cost – $4,985 Canadian dollars.
• Social Development Program – La Salle High School. This is to purchase audio visual equipment (laptop computer, LCD projector) and provide wages for two instructors. Total cost – $4,100 Canadian dollars.

Posted in News Comments Off

April 2009 Update

7:44 PM

Resident Program

In March more girls were relocated by Family Services. The oldest girl went back to live with her adoptive mother in Managua. The second oldest was placed in a foster home while she waits for her adoption process to be finalized. Three girls have returned to live with their mothers. Another girl whose mother lives in the same city where CINAG is located goes home for night, but spends the afternoon at CINAG. CINAG is working with the mother so that better care can be provided for her daughter. Two new girls have come to CINAG so at the present time there are only two that are resident and one that comes after school. Please pray that the ones that have left will now be better prepared to face life and make good choices.
The board and staff are preparing documentation for a new license for a resident program for boys ages 4 – 10. If approved they would then be working with boys only in residence.

Volunteer Teams

Eight volunteers spent two weeks (February 17 – March 3) in Nicaragua. This was an inter-provincial team, Cole & Mary Clifford, Jim & Vida Thiessen from B.C., Peter & Susan Thiessen from Alberta, Janette Brandt from Manitoba and Juanita Thiessen from Ontario. The women painted the new addition (inside and outside) and the dining hall and the men installed the suspended ceiling and installed the plumbing.
A team (Henry Froese, Candace & Jayden Froese and a friend) from La Crete, AB came to build furniture for the new addition, closets, bookshelves, benches and desks.

Construction Project

The new addition is now complete. The inauguration was held April 18. The security wall has been strengthened and improved and a new gate for the entrance was installed. Thanks to all the volunteers that have helped with this construction. The building is already being used.

Community Programs
In March the Life Skills Formation program resumed. Having worked with a group of 30 children for three years there was good improvement, so they decided to survey the community to identify 30 children that were in need. These children ages 7 – 12 come three afternoons a week for Bible classes, singing, life skills instruction, crafts and recreation. Before they go home they receive a nutritious snack. Esther Vado is the teacher assisted by Angie Noguera in crafts.
José Ramón Noguera, the social worker for CINAG has begun a program for a dozen youth which runs one afternoon a week. The teaching gives pointers toward positive life choices in morals, sexuality, recreation, and choosing a vocation. In time they would like to increase to two days a week and include some area of vocational training. He teaches a similar class to over 400 students in grades 9 & 10 in the largest High School in Diriamba.

Posted in News Comments Off

February 2009 update

7:59 PM

Resident Girls

Since January there are seven girls in residence ranging in age from 10 to 17 years.  All were excited to start classes in the new school year starting the first week in February.   Pray that they will be diligent in classes and homework and that they will form good relationships.  During their holidays (December and January) they have been diligent learning to braid (weave) bracelets and key chains.  They have begun to market these and use the proceeds to buy more craft materials.  Each girl also earns a bit of pocket money for the articles they make.

Volunteer Team

Eight volunteers spent two weeks ( January 21 – February 4) in Nicaragua. Most were from Manitoba (Aaron Barkman, Jerry Penner, Janette Brandt, Lawrence & Naomi Dueck, Charles & Luella Brandt) and Clifford Manning came from B.C.

The group put the roof on the new construction at CINAG and a roof on a church in Los Castillos. They did a lot of painting (dormitory, classroom building, and security bars) and some welding.  See pictures. Building relationships with the resident girls was a highlight for each one.

Unfortunately Charles Brandt had an accident the first day while doing the roofing.  A gust of wind caused him to fall off the roof.  By God’s wonderful intervention his fall was not very serious although initially it looked pretty bad.  After four days in the hospital he was released in good condition.  He was unable to continue work but did come back to Diriamba to celebrate his birthday and have a wonderful send-off.

Construction Project

Construction on the addition to the dining hall began in November.  This will provide two rooms and sitting area for volunteers, a classroom and a clinic/library.  By mid-February the floors will be in and all the cement work will be done.  The next group of volunteers arriving February 17^th will paint, put in the ceiling and finish the plumbing.

Assembly Meeting

The members of CINAG met for their annual meeting February 7.  Eight new members were accepted from five different churches.  There are now eight churches represented in the membership.  Reports were given to bring the members up-to-date of the development of the programs.  The members approved the continuation of the resident program, kindergarten and grade one classes for children of the community and the Life Skills program for 30 children at risk from the community around CINAG.  They approved new initiatives.  First, to continue a pilot project started last year of teaching classes on morality in the largest high school in Diriamba.  Classes will focus on grades 7 – 9.  A program will also be developed for adolescents from the community around CINAG.  The program will emphasize teaching scriptural principles for making good choices in life and learning vocational skills.

A new member was elected to the position of secretary of the board.  This position was left vacant when the former secretary left to Costa Rica for work.  Two members-at-large were also appointed to the board.  CINAG is now more prepared to face the challenges of ministry.

Posted in News No Comments »

December Update

2:21 PM

The eleven girls that have been at CINAG were joined by two girls from the community, who were locked out of their home by their mother. CINAG put in a complaint with Family Services, and asked for permission to continue giving care to these two girls, but one has already been returned to the family.

Darlene has been baking with the resident girls, which they enjoy and is a good skill-builder for them.

The recent drop in value of Canadian currency has affected CINAG since the sponsorship funds are received in Canadian funds. Financial transactions are based on the US$, therefore CINAG has experienced a significant reduction in operating funds.

Over Christmas most of the girls will be staying with Elizabeth (CINAG’s director); a few will stay with other staff members.

R’s 15th birthday is on December 26th, and if you know Latin American culture, the 15th birthday is the BIG one! CINAG will try to make the day a special one for R.

On January 5th, K is leaving for Leon (a city approximately 2 hours travel from CINAG) because the court case against her abuser is being fast-tracked. K now knows what kind of home she is going to, and the school she will attend, so she is more content. Please pray for K as she makes this transition and as she faces multiple court appearances in January.
Please continue to pray for A, who has testified at hearings already but is dreading testifying at the trial of her abuser.

A meeting with Family Services was held for directors of Centres, and now the Project Amor changes are a bit clearer. The Nicaraguan government wants to help families get back together whenever possible. The discussion and questions were very direct and many apprehensions were eased. A follow-up meeting is planned for February 11th.

Pray for CINAG’s director and staff as they continue to learn how to run such a Centre. It is a challenge to find the right staff members, especially with a tight budget. It is a challenge to work in a budget. It is a challenge to care for the girls and for the community, and keep up with the regulations of Family Services. Please also pray for the transitions involved in getting most of the girls into school in the new term that starts in January.

Family Services moved L – upon very short notice – to a large Centre on Ometepe island. She has siblings at that Centre but would still have preferred to remain at CINAG. Pray that L will soon feel at home in her new surroundings.

Posted in News No Comments »

November update

10:06 PM

The workteam from Willowlake Baptist Church in Winnipeg has returned.  They have all been changed by the experience and all are glad to have participated in the trip.  The workteam members quickly came to love the girls, who generously returned that love.

To quote one of the workteam members;

“…the girls – ‘our’ 11 girls. All are beautiful, sweet, naïve, loving, generous, kind, and thoughtful.  In many ways they were mature beyond their years, still other times very childlike wanting a doll or just being a normal teen listening to music and dancing.

The girls each carry hurtful memories within and I believe it is only through God’s grace that they will deal with their past hurts.  Most of them have experienced incredibly horrible things during their past life, things no person should have to deal with.

I have never felt as loved as I did just being near the girls.  It was impossible to even walk by any of them without getting arms wrapped around us, kisses on cheeks, and being told ‘I love you.’  The warmth of emotion they gave to each of us is even more amazing given the fact that they have been hurt so deeply by family and adults, and here we were, strangers who were accepted and loved at once.”

The team painted (shed, office, guard shack, outside of girls dorm and four rooms inside the girls dorm), tied rebar, helped in the kitchen, and did a little shovelling. One member painted a Bible verse on the office building and another did some accounting work with Clarisa.  We also spent time with the girls doing crafts, clowning around, painting nails, going on outings, having waterfights and played in the rain.

The CINAG grounds are slowly being transformed into a functional and beautiful place thanks to the hard work of people like Nicolas and Wally, by the various workteams and of course the local workers – all which is possible through the generous support of our donors.  Thank you for that.

With the economic downturn in the US, CINAG is feeling the financial crunch as the donations aren’t going as far due to the reduced exchange rate.  This has meant that CINAG has had to cut staff and cut back spending on resources.  Your financial support is needed now more than ever.

Pictures are posted here.

Posted in News No Comments »

October update

12:50 PM

The pump for the well finally cleared customs and has now been installed.
This brought to light an issue that had not been foreseen, namely, the voltage delivered by the power company is too low for the pump to operate safely. It needs 230 volts and it was coming in at 195 on a Sunday when the community was not using a lot of electricity. This puts stress on the motor and could cause it to burn out.

Wally is working with Union Fenosa (the electrical company) to see what can be done to boost the voltage. Pray that this is possible with few complications.

Lester and Darlene leave Winnipeg on October 29th. They have one week to prepare for the third 2008 workteam who arrive in Managua on November 5th.

Posted in News No Comments »

Join a Work Team

4:30 PM

Interested in joining a work team?

Click here for details.

Posted in News Comments Off