Bernadino
This community, located about 30 minutes north of San Juan del Sur center, is one of the best organized communities in the municipality. About 26 families a total of 126 people comprise Bernardino. This community is led and represented by Marcos Rayo and has a five member board of directors.
Projects
- Latrines - One of the biggest needs in Bernardino is the construction of 30 latrines which would improve the environment and the hygiene of the community. An estimated one month is required for the construction of the latrines, which will be built by each individual family.
- School Uniforms - The local school children need a total of 53 school uniforms including shoes, shirts, and pants or skirts. Uniforms are required of all public schools in Nicaragua and are one of the main financial burdens on rural families.
- Community Center - The people from the community of Bernardino need a Community Center, which would provide a meeting place for them. They need a place to gather to discuss important issues regarding their community and also to have a place where they can develop cultural activities.
- Well - Comunidad Connect supported the construction of a well to serve the community of Bernadino. The 130-member, 26-family community has benefited greatly from the nearby water source. Time and effort devoted to obtaining water has been reduced, and the health of the community has been improved.
- Clinic - Since December, the community has also enjoyed a new clinic, constructed by Engineers without Borders. Comunidad Connect provided volunteers and supplies to paint the interior of the clinic in June 2008. The clinic, staffed by nurse assistants, serves Bernadino and four other neighboring communities. Medical supplies are scarce, and the services the clinic’s staff can provide are largely dependent upon donations of medicine and other supplies.
Ongoing needs:
Resources to build the latrines (from the 30 latrines needed in this community, only 2 have been built) and the community center. The clinic is in great need of medicine, supplies and equipment, health is an ongoing need to cover. The uniforms are always a need, children grow and in a year or so they can’t fit into their previous school uniform.
Amounts that can make a difference:
- To build 30 latrines: Including the tools for the project an estimated $3,000 USD is needed.
- The community center has been budgeted at $2,300 USD.
- A complete school uniform (shoes, pants and blouse) could be covered with less than $40.
- The maintenance of the well is around $100 a month.
