Supported Projects
Projects Supported with Ecotourism Income
Ten percent of the income from ecotours is dedicated to community development projects.
2009: Continued renovation of the town’s water system
The renovated town water system provides ample clean water to all residents of the town of San Ramón (pop. 6,000). All families now have water meters, leaking pipes have been repaired throughout the system, electric service to Las Delicias community on the outskirts of town where the well for the system is located improves the quality of life for residents.
The 10% contribution from ecotours at FEV in 2009 has been used to complete the water system with the construction of a security wall and gate around the well and valuable pump. In addition FEV supported the cultural arts with the second annual Festival de Danza. San Ramón’s five dance groups performed and each received a grant of $100. The dance festival was held in the basketball “stadium” before a large audience.
2008, 2009, 2010: Festival de Danza de San Ramón (Dance Festival of San Ramon) is sponsored by Finca Esperanza Verde.
Being from Durham, North Carolina, home of the world famous American Dance Festival, we and our partners in San Ramón agreed that there should be support and recognition for the dance groups in San Ramón. The dance groups were only too happy to agree. As soon as the first dance festival was announced in 2008 and date set, the various dance groups began to rehearse in earnest and to get busy on the sewing machine making costumes. The festivals have been major events. Awards were given and recognition bestowed. San Ramon put another feather in its cap!
2007 and 2008: Electric service to Las Delicias community
Residents of the Las Delicias community located close to the town of San Ramón had long solicited electric service. When the new municipal water project called for a well to be dug and Las Delicias community was chosen as the site. the community dug the trench for the water pipes in exchange for having electric service to their homes.
2005 and 2006: Expanded and improved San Ramón’s municipal water system
The antiquated and leaky water system for the town of San Ramón now operates more efficiently and is able to provide clean water daily to all residents of San Ramón. In addition, SCSRN helped connect the SW Durham Rotary and the Matagalpa Rotary who together procured a Rotary International grant of $50,000 to build a new water system for the town completed in 2008.
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2003 and 2004: Community-built water project for La Pita Coffee Cooperative
La Pita community of 250 inhabitants was chosen to receive $8,000 from ecotourism income and the proceeds of our 10th Anniversary Fiesta held in Durham, NC for the construction of a gravity fed water project. The community had been trying to get funding for the project for years because their current water supply was contaminated with lead from gold mining operations from the 1900s. The project cost of $16,000 was shared by Henniker, New Hampshire, also a sister community of San Ramón.
The community provided labor, Programa Agua provided the plan, training, technical expertise and delivery of materials. One of the community members deeded the land where the water springs forth from the mountain to the community in perpetuity. Thirty-four houses now have their own water spigots; four homes located at a high elevation will share a spigot. “I am very happy that I will have clean water coming right to my house so I can have a nice clean shower right at home,” Francisco Mendoza, a senior citizen and resident of La Pita.
2000, 2001 and 2002: La Chispa Elementary School
Not far from the Finca Esperanza Verde, 52 children attended an elementary school that opened in February 2003. A local farmer donated the land, parents and older brothers constructed the two-classroom building, and the Ministry of Education supplied a teacher and desks. The 10% of our ecotour income purchased building materials and hired a construction superintendent. Without La Chispa school, all these kids would either not be in school or would need to move in with relatives in a different town in order to be near a school.
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