Nica Dev Fund
The Nica Dev Fund was founded to bring help to those who need it most. Their intent is to better the quality of life for the Nicaraguan community where they work and live. They encourage participation of the community as opposed to simply paying for these improvements. In this way they are helping the members of the community help themselves.
Current projects
Sustainability means advancing the quality of life for the local population as we grow as a community. One of the best ways we can better the quality of life for local campesinos (country people) is to provide better opportunity through employment. We feel that having the additional skills of English as a second language, this new generation will have more immediate value thereby breaking the current paradigm as they enter the work place. Hopefully, these children can grow up to be guides or tour operators in our reserve area, perhaps teach English to future generations or be better able to assist tourists as they make their way through the area.
Our current teacher has been supported by our fund and is at the highest available level in UCA (Universidad de Centro America). He studies on Saturday and returns to teach during the week. Classes are offered free of charge. Our goal is to eventually hold classes specifically for women and separate classes for men giving them rudimentary language skills for job specific applications.
This is a multi layer initiative. Our primary goal is to protect the area designated as Private Reserve (Reserva Privada de Silviestre Nacional). Well over 450 acres, the Las Fincas Reserve will stand as a living classroom for biodiversity of flora and fauna.
Our secondary goal was to "Return to Forest" the areas cleared for cattle grazing over the past century. Now, in our 3rd year of this project we have to date planted over 90,000 indigenous trees germinated almost entirely in our own nurseries. These trees will provide valuable food, shelter and migratory paths for the biodiversity in our region. Special focus is placed on studies of the existing populations and genetic diversity of animals, reptiles and insects with the Yellow Naped Amazon Parrot and the Spider Monkey as being two of the species in most critical condition. By providing a safe area, these species can rebound in time with little human intervention.
Our final goal is to create interpretive trails both hiking and horseback throughout the reserve area and establish guides and rangers to protect the area creating what will most likely be Central America's eco-tourism premier destination and model for future development.
Ongoing needs
Many more people here wish to learn English and this way, be better prepared for life. The project covers some of them but definitely not all. Reforestation should always be an ongoing need. We have to continue working to save our forests.
Some of our future projects are:
- Additional stoves for the area (average about $50 each)
- Additional water filtration systems (average about $60 each)
- Internet connectivity for two schools in the area (estimated at about $100 monthly, plus start up costs of $300).
Amounts that can make a difference:
- English lessons averaging about $125.00 per month.
- Reforestation averaging about $1,500 per month.
- A single tree can be planted with $1.00. This includes raising the indigenous tree, planting and maintaining it (organic fertilizer, clearing away vines, etc.) for about a year.
- Nica Dev has created a 450+ acres of Private Reserve. With $10,000 a year, it can be maintained. This includes interpretative trails, signage, fire patrols and ranger services.
