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Page 1: MORE THAN PROGRESSamigosforchrist.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2017-AnnualReport… · CHARITY NAVIGATOR awarded Amigos for Christ with 4 Stars, a Perfect 100 in Financial Health
Page 2: MORE THAN PROGRESSamigosforchrist.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2017-AnnualReport… · CHARITY NAVIGATOR awarded Amigos for Christ with 4 Stars, a Perfect 100 in Financial Health

3

MORE THAN PROGRESS

D E A R A M I G O S FA M I LY,

In the pages that follow, you will see a lot of progress. 2017 was awesome! We

love progress, but we love people even more. Why? Because behind every bit of

progress is a person that God created in His image. For this reason, Jesus asked

us to love one another and to look out for each other.

That is why we love the Spanish word JUNTOS (together) so much. It describes

how you have come alongside to help Doña Liliam and her great-great grandchil-

dren taste clean water for the first time. It explains why a ditch-witch can’t replace

the time spent digging a water line with her, and learning what it is like to be in her

shoes. Juntos is a theme at the center of the Lopez Family story (page 8), who are

experiencing transformation through Plan 7, our community development model.

You have loved people well in 2017. This is why so much progress has been made.

The future is bright in Nicaragua, and in our world. As you read through this an-

nual report, enjoy the good that you made happen, and know that, juntos, we have

shined our lights so that our Father in Heaven will be glorified.

Thanks for being part of our family,

John Bland Chief Executive Officer

Doña Liliam and John share a cup of clean water in Las Torres.

LOVE PEOPLE

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4 5

1,630 volunteers served alongside

their Nicaraguan brothers and sisters.

A collective 3,892,440 feet were

climbed to the beautiful summit of Cer-

ro Negro volcano.

Approximately 16,300 peanut butter

and jelly sandwiches were consumed

at local worksites.

245 evenings were spent in the peace-

ful rancho, reflecting on and worship-

ping a God who loves us more than we

can imagine.

COUNTLESS friendships made

that endure thousands of miles and

awkward language barriers.

JUNTOS, a mantra meaning “togeth-

er,” united the greater Amigos Family

consisting of 24,857 supporters,

8,634 community members, and

108 Amigos Team members.

CHARITY NAVIGATOR awarded

Amigos for Christ with 4 Stars, a Perfect

100 in Financial Health and Account-

ability and Transparency, and a spot in

the Top 10 List of Highly Rated Chari-

ties Relying on Private Contributions.

Our Georgia Office moved into a NEW HOME OFFICE.

$3,186,198 were given by gen-

erous donors whose support allows

Amigos to pursue growth and excel-

lence as we carry out our mission.

2017 HIGHLIGHTS

265 community leaders were trained,

equipped, and encouraged to lead 18

communities in life transformation.

Community leaders received regular

TRAINING on water system main-

tenance, finances, leadership & motiva-

tion, and community development.

110,247,217 gallons of clean wa-

ter flowed to 1200 families.

2 water systems were completed in

Las Torres and Matilde, serving 109

families.

113 Modern Bathrooms were built

with rural families

A NEW MODERN BATHROOM DESIGN was developed by our infra-

structure team to make the construc-

tion process more efficient and the

structure safer.

LEADERSHIP

HEALTH

EDUCATION MISSIONS

PROGRAM SUPPORTWATER & SANITATION

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

A landmark agreement was forged with

the NICARAGUAN MINISTRY OF HEALTH. The partnership will

test for and educate families on 3 easily

preventable diseases: intestinal para-

sites, kidney disease, and respiratory

disease due to smoke inhalation while

cooking. The ultimate goal is disease

eradication.

2,645 urine and stool samples were

collected to diagnose, treat, and further

prevent kidney disease and parasites

28 CLEAN AIR KITCHENS were

constructed with rural families

637 HOME VISITS were made

to destroy disease-ridden latrines and

promote bathroom cleanliness and per-

sonal hygiene.

CREATION CLUB, an after school

program, was launched to serve 500

children in reading comprehension.

135 STUDENTS received scholar-

ships to attend high school and univer-

sity and served their local communities

by completing 8,420 service hours.

216,000 healthy meals were served

to more than 600 students in 4 prima-

ry schools.

2 NEW SCHOOLS opened their

doors in La Chuscada and San Marcos

6 additional CLASSROOMS were

built in El Chonco to accommodate the

increased attendance.

Partnership with the Nicaraguan Minis-

try of Education strengthened, in which

Amigos is now training 17 teachers

and 2 principles in learning methodol-

ogies.

11 scholarship students graduated

from high school or university.

140 families benefited from capital in

the form of chickens and pigs.

50 families received micro loans to in-

vest in their small businesses.

The Organic Pitahaya (Dragon Fruit)

project kicked off with 7,200 plants

growing across 4 farms.

100

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6 7

PLAN 7Plan 7 is Amigos for Christ’s community development model. The focus of this

model is long-term, sustainable growth in rural Nicaraguan communities. Plan 7 is

broken down into five project areas: Leadership, Water & Sanitation, Health,

Education, and Economic Development. Each project area has ten goals (listed below)

that we are committed to completing within 7 years. This is Plan 7.

LEADERSHIP1 Plan 7 Presented

2 Community Leadership Identified

3 Water & Sanitation Committee (CAPS) Organized

4 CAPS Trained

5 CAPS Organized

6 Community Development Committee Organized

7 Community Development Committee Trained in Leadership and Sustainability

8 CAPS and Community Development Committee are Functioning

9 CAPS and Community Development Committee are Operating all Projects

10 The Community Leads, Owns, and Operates Every Project

WATER & SANITATION1 Technical Studies Completed

2 Well Drilling Completed

3 Water Pump Installed and Producing Potable Water

4 All Major Water Lines Installed

5 All Domestic Water Lines Installed

6 Clean Water Available 24/7

7 30% of Families have Modern Bathrooms

8 50% of Families have Modern Bathrooms

9 70% of Families have Modern Bathrooms

10 All Families have Modern Bathrooms

HEALTH1 70% of Individuals have been Examined for Disease

2 100% of Individuals have been Treated for Intestinal Parasites

3 70% of Individuals Completed Hygiene Training

4 100% of Individuals Treated for Kidney Disease

5 10% of Families Trained and Utilizing Clean Air Kitchens

6 30% of Families Trained and Utilizing Clean Air Kitchens

7 40% of Families Trained and Utilizing Clean Air Kitchens & 30% of Families have Eliminated their Latrines

8 50% of Families Trained and Utilizing Clean Air Kitchens & 50% of Families have Eliminated their Latrines

9 60% of Families Trained and Utilizing Clean Air Kitchens & 60% of Families have Eliminated their Latrines

10 All Families Trained and Utilizing Clean Air Kitchens & All Families have Eliminated their Latrines

EDUCATION1 Agreement with Ministry of Education Coordinated & Signed

2 MINED Teachers Receiving Continued Education Training

3 30% of Children* Attending School

4 40% of Children* Attending School

5 Education Initiatives Implemented and 50% of Children Attending School

6 60% of Children* Attending School

7 70% of Children* Attending School

8 80% of Children* Attending School

9 Education Initiatives are Monitored and 80% of Children* Attending School

10 All Children* Attending School*ages 5-17

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT1 10%> =$15/Day

2 20%> =$15/Day

3 30%> =$15/Day

4 40%> =$15/Day

5 50%> =$15/Day

6 60%> =$15/Day

7 70%> =$15/Day

8 80%> =$15/Day

9 90%> =$15/Day

10 100%> =$15/Day

Plan 7 Progress Key Completed 2017 Progress Not Started

NOT STARTED NOT STARTED NOT STARTED NOT STARTED

NOT STARTED

NOT STARTED

NOT STARTED

NOT STARTED

NOT STARTED

NOT STARTED

La Chuscada130 Families | 780 People

Valle los Morenos34 Families | 192 People

Miguel Cristiano64 Families | 384 People

San Marcos de las Pilas32 Families | 192 People

El Chonco276 Families | 1656 People

Rancho Pando30 Families | 180 People

Dulce Nombre de Jesús31 Families | 186 People

Rincon de Garcia52 Families | 312 People

Mina de Agua75 Families | 450 People

El Moto & Las Brisas25 Families | 150 People

La Coyotera35 Families | 210 People

Villa Catalina177 Families | 1062 People

Los Rotarios36 Families | 216 People

Matilde54 Families | 324 People

Nance Dulce46 Families | 276 People

La Grecia #2108 Families | 648 People

Las Torres55 Families | 330 People

El Pedregal200 Families | 1200 People

Community

7

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7

7

7

7

7

8

8

7

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8

5

5

5

5

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4

4

4

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88

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5

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10

10 10

10

10

10

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10

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NOT STARTED

NOT STARTED

3

3

5 5

P L A N 7 P R O G R E S S

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRESS

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8 9

The Life-Changing Effects of Plan 7 on a Family

Cristobal’s story took a dramatic turn in 2014 when his com-

munity forged a partnership with Amigos for Christ. This

partnership, centered on Plan 7, Amigos’ community devel-

opment model, is a seven year commitment during which

Amigos for Christ will provide the materials and technical

expertise to install much-needed infrastructure including a

clean water system, Modern Bathrooms, and Clean Air Kitch-

ens. The families of La Coyotera have agreed to provide the

labor required to complete these projects, as well as a 10%

financial buy-in. But, there is much more to this partnership

than infrastructure improvements.

THE LOPEZ FAMILY

Over the course of nearly two decades, Amigos for Christ has

learned that the key to overcoming poverty is em-powerment. When people have a vision for what they can

become, and someone cheering them on, there is no limit to

what God will do. For Cristobal and the community of La Coy-

otera, Plan 7 provided a vision for what the community could

become.

This vision is transforming Cristobal’s family. From their own

hard work and sacrifice, clean water now flows to their home,

and their Modern Bathroom protects them from disease. All

of Cristobal’s children are healthy enough attend school - the

younger ones at a primary school in La Coyotera, the older

at a secondary school about 3 km away - and all aspire to

attend university.

Cristobal beams when he explains the most transforming

aspect of the Amigos partnership: investment in his farming

business. He is part of a cooperative with ten other farmers

in his community, and they enjoy a 1.6% interest rate through

the microloan program. The interest they pay goes into a

savings account for each farmer that, after five years, will

become theirs to use as capital. This microloan effectively

breaks the cycle of dependence and poverty while allowing

farmers, like Cristobal and the others in his cooperative, to

experience dignity and independence while earning a living.

Cristobal’s story is one of thousands being infused with hope

in the rural communities that Amigos serves in the Chinan-

dega Department. We want every family to thrive, and - after

his experience with Plan 7 - Cristobal has agreed to serve as

an advocate for families who desperately need vision and

empowerment.

When asked what he tells communities who are new to the

Amigos Plan 7 model, Cristobal replies “I tell them to pray!

Pray that you can take hold of this opportunity! Amigos works

with you. They teach you to believe in yourself and in God’s

providence. They have taught me so much. La Coyotera is proof that this works. It is not symbolic help, but real, personal help,” and, with an unmistakable con-

fidence in himself and his future, Cristobal proclaims, “We

have water, bathrooms, and soon my family will be financially

independent!

Cristobal Lopez has been a leader in the small, remote community of La Coyotera for over 20 years

where he shares a modest home, constructed of blocks and sticks, with his wife and four school-aged

children. Cristobal has worked all his life as a small-scale farmer, a livelihood which can be very unstable in

the harsh terrain of northern Nicaragua. In the past, he barely made ends meet due to the exorbitant interest

rate he was paying on bank loans (up to 50%). For Cristobal’s family, their only access to water was a shallow,

hand-dug well in their yard. His family suffered from chronic diarrhea, parasites, and severe dehydration. Life

had one basic focus: survival.

2017 STORY OF IMPACT

Cristobal’s son, Ernesto, installs water pipe.

Cristobal with his wife, Elba.

Cristobal and Elba work on their farm side

by side, dreaming about their future. “My daughter, Telma, will never

have to beg. In two years, we will be financially independent,”

Cristobal tells us, proud of what they are

providing for their family.

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10 11

YOUNG LEADERS IN ACTION

This year, with a selection of secondary

and university students, we’re piloting a

new approach we call Young Leaders in Action to make our Scholarship Program

even more impactful.

In addition to a scholarship, we are setting

students up to have a purposeful internship.

Depending on their field of study, interns will

serve at Amigos or another local business or

organization. This job experience and the lead-

ership training that will compliment it, will help

these young adults find fulfilling jobs and en-

courage their professional development.

EL PEDREGAL WATER SYSTEMThe need for clean water is great in this large community

located in El Viejo, approximately 9 km from Chinandega.

El Pedregal is home to 200 families living in 174 homes.

Every family has their own shallow, hand-dug well, and

most wells are in close proximity to latrines. This is a ma-

jor health concern as the shallow surface water is easily

contaminated by latrine run-off. Amigos has tested several

wells in the community and has found that every well is

contaminated with fecal material and E. coli.

PRESCHOOL COMPLETEDUNDER CONSTRUCTIONNOT YET STARTED

1ST & 2ND GRADE 5TH & 6TH GRADE

3RD & 4TH GRADEADMINISTRATION

EXTRACURRICULAR SPORTSCOURT

SECONDARY SCHOOL& TECHNICAL CAREERS

PARK

WHAT’S NEXT

MODEL SCHOOL OF LA CHUSCADA This multi-year project, in partnership with the Nicaraguan Ministry of Education, is a long-term investment we’ve embarked upon to empower the next generation of Nicaraguans. Through creative spaces and new teaching methods, this school serves as a model for what education can be: inspiring and purposeful.

In addition to the continued progress of Plan 7, here are a few big things we have in the works for 2018!

200 MODERN BATHROOMS

Yes, you read that right. By the end of 2018,

we plan for 200 more families to have access

to a sanitary and dignified place to use the

bathroom. This big, ambitious goal is made

possible by our innovative infrastructure

team. With their expertise and experience,

they have developed a new process to make

construction faster, more cost-effective, and

safer for the earthquake-prone area.

Page 7: MORE THAN PROGRESSamigosforchrist.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2017-AnnualReport… · CHARITY NAVIGATOR awarded Amigos for Christ with 4 Stars, a Perfect 100 in Financial Health

JOIN US. Amigos for Christ is able to have a profound impact in Nicaragua thanks to generous donors who have a heart for transformation. If you would like to become a monthly donor or give a gift that continues the vision of our organiza-tion, please visit our website to learn how.

A M I G O S F O R C H R I S T . O R G