We have established a link with a worker in Nepal, who is training teachers - Gill Parkin. We are supporting her through financial contributions and our prayers. See the Church Mission Society web site.
NECAT (the Nicaragua Education Culture and Arts Trust) is a registered charity founded by members of St. Mary's Church and local community with the aim of supporting educational initiatives amongst marginalised communities in and around the city of León, Nicaragua.
NECAT has as its focus an after-school club for children between the ages of 8 and 14, where the participants get individual attention from qualified teachers. The work aims to involve the children in cultural, folklore and artistic activities and projects where they can develop their talents and creativity and thereby develop their self-esteem.
NECAT also organises a wide range of activities for the children, including educational trips, competitions, parades, processions and camping trips. Since Nicaragua is now the second poorest country in the western hemisphere it is also sometimes necessary to provide the children with clothes, food, or bursaries for school materials in order to help reduce the impact of poverty.
NECAT raises its funds through individual donations, applications to trust funds, and through contributions from schools and church groups. A part-time representative is employed in Nicaragua to ensure the orderly running and development of the projects and that overheads are kept to an absolute minimum. This helps to ensure that the maximum proportion of available funds reaches the beneficiaries.
For more information see the NECAT web site.
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