Eder Uriel Castro teaches at the El Rosario school located in the rural community of La Esperanza, Cooperna in Siuna. Located 28 kilometers from Cooperna, this school has a very difficult access. With puddles of mud due to heavy rains, rivers, and branches in the way, students strive to reach school every day and continue their learning process. Some students horseback ride while others wake up early to start their long walk to school.

In November 2020, two-major hurricanes hit Nicaragua’s Caribbean Coast. Teacher Eder recalls that at 4:30 pm the heavy rains started in the community; soon, the sky was plunged into darkness and trees were torn apart by the heavy winds. Eder’s home roof was destroyed. His family had to shelter in the only room remaining with a roof.

“To narrate the experience of the hurricanes is remembering a terrifying movie.”

Eder’s school was destroyed. Fallen trees and branches were left all over the roof and building perimeter. Students’ desks, books, and notebooks were soaked in water. The whole community teamed up to start the cleaning process so that the students could finish their school year.

“After the hurricanes, the biggest difficulty was to teach in a classroom without a roof. When it rained, my students and I would get wet. Even in those circumstances, I continued teaching for the children in my community.”

When the community was notified of the school’s rehabilitation, they were all excited. It was a dream they never imagined accomplishing. School parents, volunteers, and students supported the construction. As a team, they transported all the construction materials with horses, donkeys, and cows.

By the end of April 2021, El Rosario school was completely rehabilitated and the students, alongside their teacher Eder, enjoyed a more comfortable and spacious classroom.

“Thanks to ANF’s support we were able to rebuild our school. As a teacher, I now feel complete.”

ANF’s mission in education is to improve school retention rates, increase school attendance, and enhance educational quality. We achieve this, by building, rehabilitating and improving school-level infrastructure to provide the adequate conditions for students to learn, grow, and succeed.

Thanks to your commitment and generosity, accomplishments like these are possible. You make a difference in Nicaragua’s education!