Michelle Barkenbus for Empowerment International

I am a board member of Empowerment International and I volunteer my services as the treasurer. I have been friends with Kathy Adams, Founder E.I., for some time now and I am inspired by her passion and dedication to empower the children of Nicaragua.

E.I.’s approach addresses the root cause and the plight of many street children in the slums (‘barrios’) and our mission is to break the cycle of poverty before it is transferred to yet another generation, by building more educated and productive communities. Our vision is to enable every child to go to school and achieve the level of education they desire.

Street children generally come from poor families. They cannot attend school even where public education is free due to lack of funds for mandatory uniforms and school supplies. They also lack emotional support from their families. Instead of being educated, they are sent out to work on the streets selling fruits, vegetables, and trinkets.

E.I. reverses this trend by working with the children and their families to enable them to attend school. We provide financial and emotional support.
When these children receive an education, they are able to stay off the streets, find better jobs, and eventually break the cycle of poverty that has haunted their families for generations.

About child sponsorship:

Child sponsorship is a great way to make a direct difference in a child's life. You provide not only financial support, but also strength and motivation to the child through their knowledge that someone cares about their well-being. You can opt to sponsor a child by making $30 monthly donations (or a single $360 donation for the year). "Padrinos" receive information about the child, including biographical information, photo, letters from the child and updates. You may also write letters to your sponsor child if you wish. We also offer the option to sponsor "half" a child for $15 per month. If you select this option you will still receive information, updates, and a letter from the child.

E.I.’s multifaceted approach includes:
• Material support for education: Books, notebooks, school uniforms, shoes, pens, pencils etc.
• Home Visit Program: This simple but very effective approach focuses to instill in families the value of education as well as to empower children and their families to find solutions to their own problems and provide them with support along the way.
• Peer to Peer Tutoring Program: To increase year over year retention rates even further, as well as improve the grade-level performance of the participating children, E.I has implemented group peer-to-peer tutoring. Older children teach younger children for at least one hour a week. This program has met with incredible success, with several children showing grade-level improvements in just one month. It is also showing a noticeable boost in self-esteem among all participants, especially the teen tutors, most of who choose to volunteer over 4 hours a week.

• Highlights of the program:
• 100% retention rate in primary school! (country average: less than 50% reach 5 grade)
• 98% overall retention rate in school this year!

Empowerment International does incredible work with a very small budget - every donation makes a HUGE difference. Thank you for your support!

To learn more visit our website at http://www.empowermentinternational.org