NICARAGUA: Jinotega ( JJN )
Beneficiaries
Number of people benefited by the Intervida projects: 28,084
Geographic location
The Jinotega TERRA (Territory of Active Solidarity, in Intervida nomenclature) is located 161 kilometers from the capital of Nicaragua, Managua. It is bordered to the north by the Republic of Honduras, to the east by the North Atlantic Autonomous Region, to the south by Matagalpa and to the west by the Madriz, Nuew Segovia and Estela Departments. Access to the city from the capital is mainly by paved road.
Jinotega has rugged elevation which is part of the Isabella Mountains and its foothills. To the west, is the nudo de Yalí, a continuation of the adjoining Estelí plateau, with the overhanging hills of the Yalí volcano, Cuspire and the Cerro Azul. Further to the south and bordering with the Estelí are a series of dry, rocky plateaus, such as the Saraguascas, the Carbonales, the Mojón, Yagualica, etcetera, whose flat peaks reach some 1,000 meters above sea level.
The JJN Jinotega TERRA is located in the central part of the Jinotega Department. The TERRA covers two departments and one municipality: the Jinotega and Matagalpa Departments and the community of San Rafael del Norte.
The average height of Jinotega City is 1,016 meters. The temperature oscillates between 22º and 30º C, making this department one of the coolest in Nicaragua, especially in November and December.
List of communities
Asturias 2; Cerro de Agua; Chaguite Abajo; Chaguite Grande Nº 1; Chaguite Grande Nº.2; Datanli; El Cacao; El Carril; El Chimborazo 1; El Chimborazo 2; El Hatillo; El Mojón; El Naranjo; El Pelón; El Salto; El Salto Abajo; Jigüina (San Esteban 2); Jinotega; Jocomico Arriba; La Reforma; Las Cureñas; Las Lomas; Las Mercedes; Las Pilas; Lipululo; Llanos de La Tejera; Los Cipreses; Los Papeles; Los Robles; Mancotal; Mancotal Abajo; Paso Real I; Paso Real II; Pueblo Nuevo; San Antonio de Sisle; San Esteban; San José de Las Latas; Santa Carmela; Saraguasca; Sasle; Sisle 1; Sisle II; Tomatoya; Wualasá; Yankee 1; Yankee 2; Boniche; Cuatro Esquinas; El Aguacatal; El Espino; El Granadillo; El Zapote; Encuentros de San Gabriel; La Canasta; La Ermita; La Tejera; Los Arados; Namanji; Potrerillos; Sabana Grande; Sacacli; San Gabriel; San Marcos; San Rafael del Norte; Suni; Aranjuez; Cerro de Piedra; El Arenal; El Carrizo; La Gloria; Laguna Verde; Las Banquitas; Las Lajas; Llano Grande; Los Lipes; Molino Norte; Palsila; Piedra de Agua; Rincón Largo; Sitio Viejo; Waswali Abajo; Waswali Arriba.
Albertina del Carmen Meza Cruz. 34 years old. Married. 3 children.
La Naranja, San Rafael del Norte Municipality.
“I have known about Intervida since 2004. I have participated in dance classes, workshops on the elaboration of didactic material, courses on the 2006 evaluation and 2007 planning processes, and on the distribution of school materials, cleaning product packs and typical dance costumes. Intervida’s work has been excellent: they help the children attend school more often and support parents in collaborating with the school and other Intervida activities. All that has contributed to improving the quality of education. Now, they also know more about the Jinotengan culture. There are good personal relationships with the Intervida workers and they help the teachers with any problems they may have. The community has accepted them and highly appreciates them.” .
Lucila González Picado. Coordinator of the JJN Jinotega TERRA.
"My name is Lucila González Picado, better known as “Lucy”, and I am mother of a precious daughter of 16. I was born in Matagalpa, a department in the North of Nicaragua. Since I was a student, I have actively participated in social movements towards the social, cultural and political transformation of my country. I have satisfactorily consolidated my professional life, completing studies in Social Sciences, Education Science, Agricultural Extension, Business Simulation, Development Program Management, and earning my Masters Degree in Production Systems; these studies have contributed to my professional growth and professional satisfaction, as has my experience of serving my birth city as Mayor when I was 24 years old. I am 46 years old, and 30 of these have been spent working on development in various areas, as a consultant, an aid worker, an employee in cooperative agencies, a municipal employee, and as a member of social organizations. My most recent work has included:
- Coordinator of a Technical Assistance Program for the Municipal Development and Strengthening of the Jinotega Mayor’s Office in the areas of Municipal Planning, Administration, Finances, Urban Planning, Municipal Services and Environmental Management ( BID/ INIFOM).
- Aid worker in the municipality of Marcala, La Paz, Honduras as member of the Danish Association for International Cooperation, towards strengthening the Coordination of Lencan Women (MS).
- Officer of the Swiss Cooperation Agency Program(SWISSAID) in Nicaragua.
- Advisor on Participation and Gender in the Agricultural Sector support program, which assisted 5,000 peasant families (DANIDA).In the year 2005 I was named “Honorable Citizen” of my city by the Municipal Council of Matagalpa.
In July 2007, I assumed the responsibility of Coordinator of the Jintoega TERRA and my main motivation for joining Intervida has been the opportunity to continue my professional and social commitment towards changing the conditions and quality of life, with equality and social justice for the most disadvantaged. I am driven in this commitment by a work focus from and with the community, where its people – men, women, children and young people – are key players in their own development.Intervida works in different areas in which my cumulative training and experience enables me to contribute to Intervida’s new Mission and Vision, in particular its aim to act upon the causes of poverty and inequality and its special efforts in working with children.”
Educating for a better future
Equipping my school
The aim of this project is to provide an appropriate school environment which facilitates both learning and instruction, which will improve motivation for attending classes. This is achieved by equipping teachers and students with the school materials they need. At the same time, Intervida works with students’ families and school staff on activities aimed at improving the environmental and hygiene conditions of the centers, providing them with the necessary infrastructure, and running awareness-raising events on the importance of personal and environmental hygiene.
- Provision of school supply packs
- Improve the school’s physical and pedagogical environment
- Promotion, communication and dissemination
Community health a right and responsibility of all
Better health through improved quality and more extensive coverage in the municipalities of Jinotega, San Rafael del Norte and Matagalpa.
In response to the serious limitations the population faces in accessing health services, Intervida works to create and strengthen Health Centers and Units, undertaking efforts to inform the community about the services offered by the Ministry of Health and organizing vaccination campaigns and awareness-raising campaigns on healthy practices and user services. Specialized attention is provided to the children and strategies for dental care are also offered. Finally, the use of traditional remedies with medicinal plants in promoted among the population through trained community health promoters.
- Improving community health
- Promoting the use of natural medicines
- Improving access to health services
- “Friendly and healthy schools” initiative
Sharing values
This program includes the projects “Give yourself a chance” and “Deconstructing myths and prejudices”. The first project promotes values related with physical education and sports and the enjoyment of leisure time. The aim is to offer positive alternatives to unhealthy behavior and addictions. The second project aims to promote ethical and moral values related with equality and respect for others, as well as sexual and reproductive health issues. Although this project includes all community members, it is mainly focused on women and young people, as it is they who have historically faced marginalization in both their family and social contexts.
Give yourself a chance
This project is carried out in 15 communities. Values are transferred to the population through artistic and sports activities, while also strengthening social coexistence and preventing manifestations of violence. Youth groups are the main protagonists of this project, although all age groups are offered activities and offerings; some of these are organized jointly with the aim of breaching the intergenerational gap and reduce prejudices.
- Cultural promotion
- Sports and recreational events
- Equipping spaces for cohabitation
- Cultural training
- Sports training
Deconstructing myths and prejudices
This project promotes activities related with the prevention and sanction of violence. Intervida carries our awareness-raising activities to get the communities involved in this issue and the organization works in close coordination with the National Police and the Precinct for Women and Children in Jinotega. Although the anti-violence actions are carried out in the Intervida intervention area, some of these are disseminated through the communication media, thus reaching a greater number of people.
- Ongoing campaign against family and sexual violence
- Support for the denouncement and monitoring of cases of intrafamilial and sexual violence.
Sponsorship
Uniting our sponsors and children
This program works to establish a link between the sponsor and the sponsored child, who really represents the whole community of people whose lives Intervida is working to improve. The sponsor is in contact with the child through his or her personal information and the photograph received when the sponsor starts collaborating with Intervida. This information has been previously obtained during the “File Collection” activity. The link between child and sponsor is maintained throughout the course of the sponsorship. Twice a year the sponsor receives mail from his or her sponsored child, which may take the form of a drawing, project or letter, depending on the child’s age and school grade level.
- Artwork Collection
- File Collection
Communities as protagonists in their own economic development
Business development in the marginal urban and rural areas
The aim of this project is to support the population in their business activities, through trainings designed to optimize production, the provision of basic equipment and materials, and economic support through unconventional financing and capitalization methods. Women’s groups are prioritized, as is the use of clean technologies which are respectful of the environment. In the urban area, actions are mainly directed at small business owners and employees, the majority of whom are young women, single women taking care of a family or single mothers. In the rural area, work is undertaken with organized production groups, supporting the economic development of associations, cooperatives, societies or any other associative entity aimed at the common good and which are found in areas with the potential for development, are capable of covering their basic needs and have initiatives for productive ordering or the creation of non-agricultural employment. Strategic alliances are also formed with organizations and institutions which can complement Intervida’s work.
- Community and inter-institutional coordination
- Training for the strengthening of businesses