2015 Annual Report

What We Do

We pride ourselves on working in close partnership with communities in Central America, and developing strong relationships with our local partners based on trust and respect. Since our founding in 1991, we have continuously evolved our core programs to fit the needs of our partner communities.

eDucational infrastructureWe build and equip schools and other needed educational infrastructure throughout Nicaragua. Past projects have included classrooms, libraries, school kitchens, gardens, bathrooms, handwashing stations, and computer labs.

Seeds of Learning is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting cross-cultural understanding and improving educational opportunities in Latin America. We work together with communities and volunteers in four primary areas:

learning resource centersOur Learning Resource Centers (LRCs) provide educational resources to underserved communities throughout Nicaragua. They house small libraries with reference materials and children’s books, computers, games, music and dance classes, trainings and workshops, and other special activities.

scholarshipsWe offer comprehensive scholarships to economically impoverished students of all ages who, without this program, would be unable to continue their studies.

cross-cultural eDucationThrough our work group program, we host teams of volunteers who travel to Nicaragua to learn, share and serve in partnership with local communities, usually through participation in a school construction project.

“I really want to stay in school, because I like learning how to read and write. I get better at it every day! This scholarship has helped my family a lot. Please continue to support kids like me because it makes a difference in our lives. God bless you all.”

Kristian Artola

Total scholarships awarded to students in 2015

33 boys

54 girls

87

1 university graduate

852

students in Nicaragua

students in El Salvador 18 university students

55 high school students

14 primary school students

6 high school graduates

scholarships

learning resource centers anD libraries

6 48,020Learning Resource Centers (LRCs) and libraries in Nicaragua

Estimated LRC user visits in 2015 (including students, teachers, and community members)

Resources Offered:

Arts and crafts

activities

Libraries with over

4,000 books

Games and puzzles for

all ages

Research materials

Computers and digital resources

104 local teachers trained in workshops

270 dance and music students (guitar and recorder)

202 students enrolled in our Reading Campaign

45 community members participated in agricultural trainings

LRC Programs:

2015 Infrastructure ProjectsNicaragua

Miraluz1 new classroom El Triunfo

1 new learning resource center kiosk

Villa Japón 3 new classrooms

El Progreso1 new preschool classroom1 school kitchen1 library

La Carreta #2 1 new classroom 1 remodeled classroom

Managua

Ciudad DarioMatagalpa“Enrollment in our school

has increased from 360 to 520 total students, thanks to the

infrastructure built by SOL, the work groups and the Villa Japón community. Retention

and attendance have also improved, and we believe

this is a result of the improved learning environment.”

Erick MartínezVilla Japón School Principal

construction projects

Manuel Piquera1 new preschool

La LagunaFinished learning resource center, including solar panels

Pedro ArauzNew fence and

water supply system

Work group program“If there’s one thing I will always remember about Nicaragua, it is the generosity and open arms of the people. One of the community leaders, Eric, donated the land for the school to be built on. When asked why, he said ‘The children are the seeds of this community and the future of it lies in their hands. I want to give them all the tools they need in order to succeed.’ He is a great example of selflessness.”

Alex Johnson, volunteer

355 volunteers 22,720 total hours worked by volunteers

22 travel scholarships granted to youth volunteers

Work Group Program Goals

Promote solidarity and cross-cultural understanding between people of the global north and global south

Facilitate volunteer engagement in hands-on community based projects

Help volunteers better understand and reduce poverty and inequality in the world

20 Work Groups from the US and Canada hosted by Seeds of Learning in Nicaragua

Please contact us for our complete 2015 audited financial statement (audit in progress)

finances anD leaDership

2015 boarD of Directors aDvisory councilMike Cosby Laurie DinwiddieMark Etherington Jenny Fogarty

Leslie BlankenshipHarry BoonTodd EvansEllee KossWayne SchakeRose Mary Schmidt

2015 Income 2015 ExpensesOther (3%)

Donations from individuals and organizations (28%)

Events (6%)

Fee Income (63%)

David KyleMark Lancaster Felix Miranda

Programs (89%)

Fundraising (5.5%)Administration (4.5%)

Other (1%)

our generous DonorsThank you to the many generous donors who supported our work in 2015.

Together we were able to build better futures for students in Central America.

legacy societySOL wishes to thank the members of our Legacy Society. This is a group of supporters who have committed a gift to SOL in their estate plans. Thank you for your generous support!

Please contact us if you are interested in joining or have already included SOL in your estate planning.

$5,000+Allied Pacific Financial, Anonymous, The Estate of John Binns, James Cashel & Anne Ching, The Clements Family, John & Sara Donnelly, Todd & Marge Evans, Robert & Gail Feenstra, Hughes Goodwin, Bruce Green & Elizabeth Blash-Green, Hawken School, One Dollar For Life, William Place, Edward Jr. & Rose Mary Schmidt, Sonoma Valley Rotary Foundation, Valley Community Presbyterian Church

$2,000 - $4,999Jacque Alanis & Doug Mighell, Anonymous, Child Aid International, Andrea Davis, Rudy Doormann, Drop in the Button Fund at the Humboldt Area Foundation, Patricia England, Sue Erdmann, Mark & Allyson Etherington, Karen Keough & Charles Croy, Rick & Anahita La Torra, Sue Makovkin & John Cinnamon, Jeff Martinez, Mendocino Presbyterian Church, Felix Miranda, Mike & Karen Moreland, The Oak Tree Philanthropic Foundation, Palo Alto University Rotary Club, Leslie Petersen, Tom & Jean Roth, Susan Shinomoto & Chris Spaulding, Patricia Smith, Bob & Janet Smith, Rick Snow, Mike & Chris Turgeon, Elliott Wong & Yvonne Otani, Roger & Holly Wright

our generous Donors$1,000 - $1,999Kristi Amoroso & Robert Hewitt, Patrick Jr. & Tabitha Becker, John Belz & Linda Spence, Susan & Gary Campbell, Carl Carter, JoAnn Consiglieri & Jim McFadden, Deer Valley Foundation, Matt Evans & Carson Christiano, Florence V. Burden Foundation, Jean Rene Goslain, Pam & Tim Haworth, Robert Houser & Marianna Caponigro, Bill & Lori Hutchinson, Kiwanis Club of Sonoma Plaza, Thomas & Lisa Kuk, David Kyle & Molly Spiller, Jim & Janet Leonard, Peter Marks & Shohreh Daemi, William & Mary Paolino, Kurt & Marcia Schekel, Carrie Shaw & Marc Hoshovsky, Jane & Basil Shiber, Danny & Norma Siler, Beverly Singer, St. John’s United Methodist Church, Jeffrey Walter & Valerie Pistole Walter, Ted & Deanie Wilmsen, Christopher & Sandra Yaryan

$500 - $999Arlene Acers, Anthony Arjona, Irene & Tom Bachelder, Annie Bacon & Juan Gonzalez, Barker Pacific Group, Beth Beaullieu, Harry & Karen Boon, Harold Brevig, Dora-Aldina Chavarria, Steve Cohen & Judy Frey-Cohen, Dennis Collins, Norman Cram, Morgan & Vivian Daniel, Leland Doan, Far Fetched Imports, Inc., First Congregational Church of Sonoma, First Presbyterian Church of San Rafael, First United Methodist Church of Redding, Fort Bragg Disposal Waste Management, Ronald Franklin & Hilda Teran-Franklin, General Board of Global Ministries, Katherine Hanes, Robert & Julia Iantosca, James & Rosemary Jepson, Richard Johnson, David & Nancy Levi, Paul Martin & Patricia Kozlovsky, Charles McKinley & Martha Schaffer, Rebecca McMenomy & Richard II McMenomy, Dick & Nancy Noble, Mary Jo O’Drain, Palms For Life Fund, Jeffrey Roy & Elaine Talley, Brooks Rumph & Reed Peters, Jeannie Runnion, Sonoma Chevrolet, Basil Stamos, Georgia Stephens, Tom Donnelly, Vincent & Christine Ventimiglia, Joseph & Deborah Votek, Madeline Wilson

$200 - $499Luna Armstrong, Margaret Aumann, Kenneth & Judith Barnes, Suzanne Boddy, Graciela & Rudy Bonilla, Adrienne Bonserio, Tammy Bushman, Maddie Cashel, Ty Cashman, Charette Chiropractic Offices, Steven Chong, John & Janae Delgado, William Donnelly, Kathy Eastman, Robert English & Anna Maria Zara, Whitney & Jeanette Evans, Joshua Fenton & Lisa Baumeister, Jenny Fogarty, Joni Foster, Anne & Harrison Frahn, Brita & Gary Gill-Austern, Bob & Millie Gilson, Linda Hale, Larry Christiano & Martha Hellander, Cheryl Hergert, Robert Hucek & Suzanne Maggio-Hucek, Harry Humes, Andrea Huston, Fred & Dian Jorgensen, Ian Lawlor & Mary Keating, Thelma & Jim Kleebauer, Ellee Koss & Oscar Gonzalez, Jean Lafond & Mychelle Mowry, Hal Lee,

our generous Donors

$100 - $199Hilary Adgate, Nanette Albano-Lane & Bruce Lane, Mary & David Allegoren, Wesley Allred, Kathryn Anderson, Susanne Arrhenius, Maria Barrachina & Jose Carlos Martinez Sabater, James Bogue, Amy Bon, Elizabeth Bradford, Edward Brennan, David Campbell & Mary Lynn Tobin, Guyla Cashel, Renee Chaffin, Clark Construction Group, LLC, Community Church of Sebastopol, Mike Cosby, Joyce & William Cox, Donald Cruser & Petra Schulte, Andrew & Robin Davis, Jim & Nancy Dempsey, Nancy Denkin, Seth Derish, Angelo Dipietrantonio, Alan Durfee & Janice Mattison, Dale Dutton, Shalyn Brand Eason, Enologix, Inc., Kenneth & Rose Fortner, Michael Hedley & Nancy Blankinship, Eric & Elaine Hillesland, Diana Hindley, Virginia Hood-Peters, Jim & Cathe Hughes, Alan & Susan Kelchner, Jean Lee, Sidney & Patricia Long, Julie Mae Lopez, Jennifer Louie, Kathleen Lukefahr-Jewell, Jean Marks, Janice Mattison, Leanne McCall Tigert Dmin, Eugene & Rosemary McCreary, Sheila McGrath, Colleen Medeiros, Joyce & John Moldovan, A Molgaard, Alex Moss & Margaret Graham, Mountain View High Student Body Fund, Martha Mullen, Rachel & Alexander Mullen, David Oakes, M.D. & Sheila Botein, Anne O’Brien, Millicent & Cordell Olive, Mary O’Riordan, Urvi Parekh, Robert & Lisa Paschal, Sophie Perisic, Richard Peters, Paul Peyrat, Gayle Pickrell & John Davenport, Jon Pittman & Vicky Jones-Pittman, Ted & Nancy Prescott, Eric Raffini & Steve Aronowitz, Alicia Robb, Helen Roland & James Cramer, Rick & Sandy Schaefer, Carol & Kirk Schmidt, Leslie III & Jennifer Seely, Harry Singer, Jan & Dave Slorpe, Stephen Smith, Steve & Cathy Sowa, Bill & Ann Starkey, Judith Stavely, Tamara Unger & Adrian Hyman, Paul, Katie, Gillian & Connor Vickers, James & Sharon Walker, James Werner, Mary Lou & John Wheat, John & Synda Whitmer, Catherine Wirth, Mike & Jane Witkowski, Blanca & Nathan Woods, Liz & Chris Wright, Peter Young, Zellers Insurance & Financial Services

Keith & Gail Lester, Jane Lipscomb, Lorin Loughlin & Rand Yazzolino, Maine Coast Sea Vegetables, Hailey Marent, Nancy & Michael McLaughlin, Keith Bongiovanni & Patricia Moore, Barbara & Jim Nelson, North Bay Insurance, Madalene Paschal, Gregory Reiff & Louise Trudeau, Susan Amorosi & Bill Roberds, Rolling Hills Methodist Church, Thomas Sartor, Wayne & Cecelia Schake, Dick & Phyllis Schlobohm, Warren Schneider, Soroptimist International Santa Rosa, Ileana & Joseph Standridge, Langdon Stevenson & Mary Farr, Christina Stimmann, Anthony Valentine, Willem & Kathleen Van Rijn, David Wade & Jacqueline Hayes, Alex & Lucia Wahl, Marcia Walker, Jim & Bertie Weddell, Tony Weinress & Christine Kelly, Alexandra West, Aspen Whitmer, Marion Williams, Hugh & Anne Wire, Richard & Mabelle Wolf, Denise Woods & Dave Arthur, Lorna Wuertz, Karen Mitchell-Yakymi

our generous Donors$1 - $99Dorothy Abbott, Georgia Anderson & Wes Caswell, Courtney & Jonathan Applequist, Alexis Arbeit, Joy Aspenall, Peter Bacon, John & Lia Bacon, Thora Balk, Gail & Raymond Barrows, Jean Barstow, Laurie Batchelder, Helen & A.T. Beall, Michael & Daphne Beard, Alice Beck, Joel Bennett, Chet Boddy, Melanie Bowden, Jerry Boyke, Edwin & Tessie Branscomb, Linda & Hayes Brennan, Karen Bridgett, Steve & Robin Brown, Kimberly Buchanon, James Burchfield & Melissa MacKenzie, Janet Bush, Steve & Karin Cake, Justin & Cedora Caletges, Penelope Caponigro, Catherine & Fred Carney, Heather Carson, Jeremy & Rossana Casas, Emily Chavez, Julie Clay, Allan & Barbara Cobb, Paul Cogger, Barbara Collins, Kit & Vic Conforti, Mary Cort, Emily De Falla, Reed & Betsy Dewey, Arthur Douglas, Peter & Theresa Duffy, Judith Earl & Maurice Jourdain Earl, Janice & Leah Edwards, Suzanne Ehlers, Howard Eisenstark, M.D., Evelyn Emory, Janet Engelbrecht, Alyson Ensrud, Terry & Kymm Falls, Bradley Farnsworth & Elaine Wilson, Emilio Ferrer & Elizabeth Saft, Patricia & Robert Fields, Janis Fromknecht, Geoffrey Ganem, Laura Garcia, Micki & Pieter Goedewaagen, Anne & Grant Gormley, Karen Gower, James Gray, B. Tom & Tina Green, Margaret Green & Peter Gordon Green, David & Betty Gross, Andrea Gunderson, Anthony & Anne Haas, Barbara Hall, Kelley Hansmeyer Isringhaus & Betty Livland, Cindy Harmon, William & Susan Harris, Alicia & Marty Herrick, Ada Ho, Ricky Hon, Joan & Matthew Howarth, Cathe Hughes, James & Susan Hughes, Robyn Hughes, Anthony & Joanna Idczak, Mimi Ikle-Khalsa & Sat Jiwan Ikle-Khalsa, William Imamoto & Molly Acton, Sharon Irvin, Kris & David Irvine, Karen Jones, Ted & Diana Jorgensen, Simonil Kakalia, Michael & Ronita Kalyk, Daniel & Jeanne Kangley, Joan & Paul Katzeff, Susanna M. Kawolics, Joseph & Terri Krabill, Devra Kudeviz, Nathan Kunz, Gayle Kyhos & Paul Delbene, Pembroke & Bill Kyle, Betsy Van Laan, Ellen LaBruce & Thomas Huffman, Kathleen Lafferty, Mary Land, Jim Leddy, Martha Lehr, Gail Lester, Susan Levin, Jennifer Liu, Jeff Logan, Ruthann Lovetang, Thomas & Carole Ann Lowinger, Chaya Mandelbaum, Nicole Markelz, Joe McFarlan, Carolyn McNulty, Joseph Melanson, Bob & June Miller, John & Mirja Muncy, Barbara Nakata, Marion Nelson, Curt & Carol Nesbitt, Michelle O’Leary, Daniel & Miriam Osborne, AIA, Partners for a Better World, Phyllida Paterson, Michele Permenter, David & Irene Phelan, Wayne Picard, Elizabeth Pristavok, Teresa Quadres, Earl & Barbara Quist, Mary & Tom Redmond, Ken Roberts, Eric Roby, Betsy Romero, Bob & Helen Rowntree, Paul Ruffino, Jenny Russell, Anjie Saunders & Warren Maierhofer, Robert Schlosser & Dawn Hofberg, Karl Schoen, Emmy Schorr, Eric B. Schultz, Linda Scott, Andrew Smith, Slaed Spiller, Doreen Sterling, Erica Stewart, Susan Stiles, Kristina Stuart, Taqueria La Hacienda, Fred Tate, Anne Teller, Joe & Judith Tembrock, Richard & M. A. Thompson, M.D., Renaud Travadon, Edward & Bonnie Tucker, Wendy Tye & Scott Thomsen, Gerald & Kathryn Underdal, Jim & Gwen Upshaw, Marta Urquilla & Jomo Graham, William & Nicole Weber, Beth, Charles & Elizabeth Whatford, Joanna Wigginton, Donald & Jody Williams, Colleen & Mark Wilson, Laura Wolfram, Brad Yazzolino, Anna & Ernest Yombo, Andrew Yonelinas & Joanna Scheib, Sandra Young, Robert & Jennifer Zahradnik, Sandra Zamaroni, Deena & Mark Zarlin, James & Susan Zotter

our generous Donorsin-kinD DonorsAngelique Boutique, Arroyo Veterinary Hospital, Artifax International Gallery, Lorraine Ashton, Baci Cafe & Wine Bar, Peggy Bacon & Jack McCarthy, Balletto Vineyards, Mark Barber, Barking Dog Coffee Roasters, Kathy Bartow, Basque Boulangerie Cafe, Joel Bennett, Laura & Jon Benward, Blue & Gold Fleet, Blush A Day Spa, Bravas Bar de Tapas, Broadway Market, Buena Vista Winery, Cafe Citti, Cafe La Haye, California Wine Tours, Call of the Sea, Campo Fina, Linda Carroll, Chabot Space & Science Center, Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery, Chloé’s French Café, B.R. Cohn Winery & Olive Oil Company, Constellation Brands, Jose Coronado & Tekla Cartmell-Coronado, Costeaux French Bakery, Coturri & Sons Winery, Andrea Davis, Della Santina’s, DiFactory, Laurie Dinwiddie, Don Sebastiani & Sons, Dutch Bros Coffee, East West Cafe, Kathy Eastman, Gary & Ruth Edwards, En-er-gy Fitness Studio, Mark & Allyson Etherington, Todd & Marge Evans, Fastsigns, Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa, Jenny Fogarty, Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Bob & Millie Gilson, Global Heart Fair Trade, Hughes Goodwin, Jean Rene Goslain, Gott’s Roadside, Bruce Greenberg, Gundlach Bundschu, H2 Hotel, Hamel Family Wines, Hanzell Vineyards, Harvest Moon Cafe, Pam & Tim Haworth, Himalayan Tandoori & Curry House, Homegrown Bagels, HopMonk Tavern, Robert & Julia Iantosca, Paul Jensen, Fred & Dian Jorgensen, Doug Kemps, Kin Restaurant, Jim & Stacey Knego, Korbel Champagne Cellars, Lagunitas Brewing Co., Landmark Vineyard, Larson Family Winery, Lasseter Family Winery, Marta Lindsey, Danielle Lovejoy, Lucky’s Supermarkets, MacArthur Place Inn & Spa, MacCallum House, Mary’s Pizza Shack, Miss Anita Fishing Charters, Mistral Barrels, Tony Moll, Murphy’s Irish Pub, Napa Valley Bistro, Napa Valley Wine Train, Nicholson Ranch, Kyle Nygren, Olea Hotel, William & Mary Paolino, Papa Murphy’s Pizza, Parkpoint Health Clubs, Picazo Cafe, Pizzeria Capri, William Place, Joe & Kathy Platnick, Ramekins, Alvaro Ramos, Reader’s Books, Wendell & Sammie Rickon, Ride The Ducks SF, Safeway, Bill & Mabeth Sanderson, Savory Spice Shop, Jim Schieberl & Sarah Kellner, Edward Jr. & Rose Mary Schmidt, Schug Carneros Estate Winery, Scott Lyall Clothes for Men Inc, Toni Sherburn, Simco Restaurants, Garland & Caroline Sloan, Bob & Janet Smith, Sonoma Adventures, Sonoma Gourmet, Sonoma International Film Festival, Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma Silver Company, Starbucks, Robert Stein & Mariah Dickson, Sunflower Caffe, Swiss Hotel, Target, Taste of the Himalayas, Thanksgiving Coffee Company, The Crucible, The Lodge at Sonoma, The Olive Press, The Parish Cafe, Transcendence Theatre Company, Mike & Chris Turgeon, Tamara Unger & Adrian Hyman, Vella Cheese, Shelly Vert, Wellington Vineyards, William Willers & Carol Marcus, Williamson Wines, Ted & Deanie Wilmsen, Veronica Winters, Joe & Cindy Wire, Yeti Restaurant, Yoga Community