Transcript Nicaragua - SCIAF YOUTH

With our help, SCIAF works in 16 countries in Africa, Asia and
Latin America, including Burundi, India and Nicaragua.
What do you think life is like for people in Nicaragua?
Nicaragua
- facts and figures
Population: 5,891,199
Capital: Managua
Life expectancy: 72.7 years
Poverty ranking: 124th poorest country
in the world.
Literacy rate: 78%
Languages: Spanish (official)
Religion: Christian
Currency: Cordoba.
Exports: coffee, tobacco, sugar, gold,
textiles, peanuts, shellfish.
BIG ISSUE
- CLIMATE CHANGE
Some people think that climate
change is not an urgent issue.
But the communities that SCIAF
works with in Nicaragua and many
other countries are already suffering
because of climate change.
Ironically the worst effects of
climate change are being felt by
those who have contributed least to
its causes.
Extreme and unpredictable weather,
caused by climate change, is
destroying peoples homes, crops and
livelihoods.
Meet Jairo - one of our global
neighbours.
In Jairo’s community 2,500
people were killed by a mudslide
caused by a hurricane.
Jairo told SCIAF that one the
biggest problems when extreme
weather like hurricanes and
floods have struck his
community, is that they have
become completely cut off making it impossible to get food
or get medical help.
One of the practical way
that SCIAF is supporting
communities, like Jairo’s, to
deal with climate change is
by helping people set up
their own emergency rescue
teams.
The rescue teams, like the
one Jairo is in (pictured),
are trained in rescue
methods, first aid, fire
fighting and how to set up a
first aid centre.
In Nicaragua SCIAF also supports
other projects, like Special Families
or Familias Especiales (in Spanish),
based in the city of Matagalpa.
Special Families provides care,
therapy (including physiotherapy and
horse therapy) and training to children
and adults living with disabilities.
The training includes yogurt and
cheese making as well as the
production of art and crafts from
recycled materials.
Special Families also has an amazing
play park called the ‘Park of Stars’
(pictured) which has been specially
designed for children living with
disabilities.
Guidance and
counselling to people
living with disabilities
Training and jobs
Special children’s
play park
Education
Making arts and
crafts which
are sold in their
own shop
Therapy
provided to
children living
with disabilities,
including horseriding therapy
SCIAF partner organisation:
Special Families (Familias Especiales)
Project number:
NIC 051
Location:
Matagalpa, Nicaragua
Amount needed (each year):
£35,000
• £500 provides scholarships for 20
young people to have vocational
therapy.
• £1,000 helps to transport people
with disabilities to Special Families
and also to collect recycled materials
from around the city and bring them
to the workshops at the centre.
Lord Jesus,
We ask you to care for and
support those who are suffering
because of climate change.
We particularly think today of
people living in Nicaragua.
Teach us all to respect your
creation and help us to protect
it for future generations.
We ask for you to bless all
those involved in the Special
Families project.
Remind us that our lives are
connected with our brothers and
sisters in Nicaragua and right
across the world.
Amen
To find out more >>
www.sciafyouth.org.uk/youth/connect
SCIAF
19 Park Circus, Glasgow G3 6BE
Tel: 0141 354 5555
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.sciafyouth.org.uk
SCIAF is the official international
aid agency of the Catholic Church in
Scotland. It is also Scotland’s
leading aid agency. SCIAF responds
to emergencies around the world
and supports partners in 16
countries in Africa, Asia and Latin
America. SCIAF also campaigns for
a more just world.
Photo credits: Sean Sprague, Gonzalo Bell
SCIAF (Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund) is a company
limited by guarantee. Company No. 197327. Recognised by the
Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and by the Inland Revenue
as a charity. Charity No. SCO12302