One of the ways Pennywise shines bright is through our understanding that building strong and trusting relationships with local governments, community leaders, and charitable organizations is critical for success no matter what the project. Whenever feasible, Pennywise staff visits potential grant recipients to see service work underway as well as meet beneficiaries to learn how the goods or services offered are impacting them.
BOCA DE POTECA
Pennywise directors Laura Subin and Liz Subin were invited to be part of a ceremony in Boca de Poteca, Nicaragua to celebrate the partnerships that allowed the technical assistance team at Agua Para La Vida (APLV) to bring clean drinking water to that community for the first time ever. One of the reasons Pennywise selected APLV as a partner was because of the organization’s deep commitment to building lasting relationships and support between project beneficiaries and local authorities. We were thrilled to see this in action in Boca de Poteca, where the community and the municipal government in Wiwili came together to address the critical need for clean water and sanitation.
For just about $400 and 45 days of labor per family, the community- with the support of the APLV technicians- was able to build a water system that offers a tap and latrine to every family in the community. Residents were also trained to oversee ongoing maintenance and management of the water system so that it can continue in successful operation for generations.
For just about $400 and 45 days of labor per family, the community- with the support of the APLV technicians- was able to build a water system that offers a tap and latrine to every family in the community. Residents were also trained to oversee ongoing maintenance and management of the water system so that it can continue in successful operation for generations.
RIO BLANCO
Rio Blanco is located among the beautiful mountains and cloud forests of northern Nicaragua. The city is also on the edge of the country’s most rural communities- less than half of which have access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Laura began her visit at the APLV offices where she met with staff and heard about the organization directly from those leading its work. Next, she toured APLV’s Escuela Tecnica de Agua Potable (ETAP). The technical school offers a unique opportunity for young, high-achieving Nicaraguans from underserved, rural communities. ETAP students are trained in all of the technical aspects of designing, installing, operating, and maintaining gravity-based water systems. After completing the two-year program, which is paid for by APLV, they have highly marketable skills and will be eligible for employment that can help lift their families out of poverty.
Laura got the chance to meet the current students and tour the school’s residential facilities. Through them, she saw first-hand how ETAP is building the future of APLV's work. Together with APLV staff and her family, Laura spent the next day visiting one of the communities in which APLV has a well-established project underway. She met with the “Community Action Committee,” community members that are running the water system during the second phase of the project, and they showed her the components of their water system and explained how it works. The day also included a visit to a local primary school, where APLV staff taught about clean water and sanitation practices through songs, movement, and lots of good humor.
The visit provided Laura with a full picture of how critical APLV’s work is, how well they do what they do and how their approach reflects Pennywise Priorities. Laura is grateful to all of her hosts in the Rio Blanco community. She says about the trip, “I feel especially lucky that my children got to share in this experience and that they can begin to understand how lucky they are not to have to worry about access to clean water.”
Laura got the chance to meet the current students and tour the school’s residential facilities. Through them, she saw first-hand how ETAP is building the future of APLV's work. Together with APLV staff and her family, Laura spent the next day visiting one of the communities in which APLV has a well-established project underway. She met with the “Community Action Committee,” community members that are running the water system during the second phase of the project, and they showed her the components of their water system and explained how it works. The day also included a visit to a local primary school, where APLV staff taught about clean water and sanitation practices through songs, movement, and lots of good humor.
The visit provided Laura with a full picture of how critical APLV’s work is, how well they do what they do and how their approach reflects Pennywise Priorities. Laura is grateful to all of her hosts in the Rio Blanco community. She says about the trip, “I feel especially lucky that my children got to share in this experience and that they can begin to understand how lucky they are not to have to worry about access to clean water.”