MPI Nicaragua Partners
Alongside Ministries
Halle & Kathy August (left) and Thomas & Amanda Gutierrez (right)
Kathy, Halle, Thomas and Amanda are independent Christian missionaries who have dedicated their lives to living and working in Managua, Nicaragua. In October 2003, they purchased a 7-acre plot of land in Chiquilistagua, a rural community that lies approximately five miles outside of the capital. In-step with their vision for the land, MPI has helped them develop a community and sports center to offer recreational, educational, and social opportunities to the local community. From the run-down baseball stadium and over-grown property that was first purchased, combined efforts and support have produced an amazing transformation. Today the community of Chiquilistagua and visiting groups from Managua enjoy using well-kept baseball and soccer fields, basketball courts, a volleyball court, playground, library, computer lab and thatched roof meeting area. It has grown to meet and exceed Alongside Minisitries' vision of providing a community/sports center for the local community and beyond. (www.salero.org)
Funjofudess
Funjofudess is a Nicaraguan organization committed to providing basic medical assistance and health education to the community of La Chureca , which is tucked inside Managua’s city dump. MPI partners with Funjofudess to support the clinic, called the "Casa Base de Salud". MPI’s Child Sponsorship program for malnourished children is implemented through the clinic, with all diagnostics and treatment coming directly through the clinic.
Additionally, since 2007 MPI has acted as the intermediary organization to provide funding for the Funjofudess clinic. MPI received the funding from Austin Samaritans, a nonprofit based in Austin, Texas, and distributes these funds on to Funjofudess. Beginning in 2009 MPI has taken on a more active role in fundraising for the clinic, with half of the budget coming from Austin Samaritans and half from MPI.
Juntos Contigo
Juntos Contigo is a nonprofit organization founded by a Dutch woman in 2005, but run on a daily basis by local Nicaraguan university students. This organization is located in La Chureca next door to the Funjofudess clinic. The primary goal of Juntos Contigo is to provide a safe location for kids to come to play as an alternative to working in the trash or being left at home. They organization provide after-school activities such as reading instruction, art activities, computer training, and sports. MPI works alongside Juntos Contigo to better evaluate the needs of the La Chureca community and to support their mission of serving the children of the community.
Nicayuda
Nicayuda is a team of seven passionate Nicaraguans with hearts for improving community preschools within the capital city of Managua. The preschools Nicayuda supports are severely underfunded, understaffed, and receive little to no help from the Nicaraguan government. Thus, it is Nicayuda's goal to provide for these schools through various avenues including school supplies, teacher training, and improving school buildings.
