Create a school to teach children english and the vocational tools work with international companies that open headquesrters in Nicaragua, given them the possibility to work at call centers, or at customer service. The idea is to make people in Nicaragua with needs employable.
1.Name of Project:
Centro de Capacitacion Fundacion Uno - Superate
2.What will it do?
Our goal is to provide a community center and educate 7th – 9th graders to learn English and computer skills. In the three year period that they attend this extra curricular activity they are to attain an intermediate skill level. Our model is an extension of a successful program developed by the Hilasal Group in El Salvador. Fundacion Uno (“FU”) opened its first center in March 2008 in La Libertad, El Salvador and has plans to open two more in Rivas, Nicaragua this year.
3.Who/What will it benefit?
The children will benefit, as they are not only being taught English and computer skills but also values. The children will graduate the program and be better qualified to have part time jobs and hopefully continue their education in college. FU hopes are to develop this in high tourism areas so that these children can improve their communities providing more and better services to tourists hence generating more employment and greater opportunities for the area.
4.How will it be implemented?
The project was implemented through our family foundation, FU and in conjunction with Superate. Superate is a group of 5 companies and foundations that have agreed to cooperate and develop these centers across El Salvador where the first began 4 years ago by Hilasal. FU has an agreement with the Mayor of La Libertad and has built the center in La Libertad’s community center. The funding is provided through our foundation and we are currently working on developing ways to make these centers self-sufficient.
5.What is my role?
I have led the project from the beginning making the agreement with Superate and currently on the board of Superate and our foundation. I participated in the selection of the instructor, financial budget, development of the curriculum and visit the children regularly to see their progress. We are currently working on ways to help the center raise funds and also develop job training seminars for the students to help them enter the workforce with more confidence and at a higher level. I work closely with the Executive Director of our foundation to ensure the progress and success of our program.
6. How will it be measured?
We measure the program in various ways. Firstly, there are bi-monthly exams administered to the children to measure progress. Secondly, each year there are common exams administered at all of the centers so that we can compare across centers. Thirdly, we will measure our financial success if we can raise funds for the center to make them self-sufficient and develop more centers.
7. Does it meet the criteria for projects laid out in the project descriptor?
Yes
8. Why is it worthy of ALI/ILI
the program to date has proved successful with the first graduating class from the Hilasal corporation last year. International companies such as Dell and Microsoft are very supportive and have even hired some of the young students for internships. The network being formed by top executives and various foundations is extremely helpful to share best practices and broaden this program.