Project Wave Of Optimism - Transportation and Economic Development
In January 2007 Project Wave of Optimism (WOO) launched its pilot program in the small fishing village of Gigante, located in the Tola municipality on the southern Nicaraguan coast. This is an isolated fishing village of about 400 residents that sits within miles of several major foreign housing developments set along the newly crowned ‘Nicaraguan Riviera,’ prime beach front real estate, and world class waves that annually attract hundreds of surfers from around the world. Unfortunately there is no direct public transportation opti on for the town’s residents, which makes it exceedingly difficult for people to make their way to Tola or Rivas to undertake ordinary daily activities such as commerce, healthcare, and – most importantly – education. At least thirty secondary age students are forced to make the round trip daily commute of thirty kilometers into Tola by walking several kilometers and waiting for unreliable and overcrowded buses. This situation has become a costly deterrent for young people who wish to continue their education.
As such, the Transportation and Economic Development project – a community conceived and elected idea that came out of the seven month community diagnostic and project selection process carried out from January to July 2007 – seeks to establish a reliable, daily local transportation service for students and the population at-large. Wave of Optimism Transportation will be owned and operated by the non-profit organization developing the project (WOO) and will use profits to establish a local community development fund that can be accessed by local residents to start small, locally owned businesses. In addition, a travel subsidy will be provided to all students who participate in the Project WOO sponsored after-school alternative education program.
The project in its current state is the product of over two years of on-site community development experience by WOO personnel. Originally conceived to be a community owned and operated business, the project has evolved in order to create the best possible environment for the growth and success of the non-profit, the business, and the community itself.
Ongoing needs
Funds to cover the travel subsidies and to establish the local community development fund for local businesses.
Amounts that can make a difference:
- $15 pays for 1 month of transportation to and from school for 1 student
- $20 pays for 1 month of after-school program participation for 1 student
- $150 pays for 1 year of transportation to and from school for 1 student
- $200 pays for 1 year of after-school program participation for 1 student
