Bridges to Community is a non-profit community development organization. Our challenge is to create a world where basic needs are treated as human rights: shelter, nutrition, education, healthcare, and employment. We work to meet this goal by bringing groups of volunteers to live in materially poor communities where they work on our ongoing community development projects. There are lots of ways you can take part, and lend a hand to bring that world closer.
As many experienced Bridges volunteers may know; a new volunteer coming to Nicaragua from the United States may face many challenges; dealing with cultural differences (culture shock), dealing with the sticky heat, lack of understanding, experiencing a new language, a first look at a “developing” country, etc. However, one of the biggest challenges that a new volunteer may face is getting comfortable using the latrine! read more
Gioconda, who is from Los Lopez in Masaya, is accomplishing an amazing feat for a young woman from a community in Nicaragua where much of the populace does not even complete elementary school. Through the educational scholarship program from Bridges, Gioconda has almost obtained not one, but two university degrees.
This is the question that the staff in Nindiri has recently been asking not only the North American volunteer groups; but also members from the community of Papayal and Guanacastillo, community leaders from Papayal and the crew of masons from Nindiri.
As Bridges celebrates the opening of the new Las Perlas School in Ticuantepe, we would like to highlight some champions for this project: the community leaders. It was thanks to their vision, drive and leadership that brought the dream of this local educational facility to reality. These individuals formed the committee that fought for their community to get this three room school that will now educate upwards of 120 children from pre-school through 2nd grade. read more
"When I was little there was no access to health care in my small community of Pilas Orientale. We could only get medical attention if we could find transportation to a larger community. I always wanted to be a doctor in order to provide medical care in my community," states Daysi, a Bridges scholarship recipient. read more
"When I was a boy, Bridges volunteers came to Las Conchitas where I lived. I always wanted to interact with the groups and loved helping out with the projects. In the beginning it was hard to understand how this organization and its volunteers could make much of a difference for us. But now, years later, it is easy to see that Bridges has not only impacted me but all the communities where they work. So many families including mine are so much better off," states Jimmy. read more
Marvel Del Socorro Sosa Arley, a tortilla maker from Guanacastillo, Nindiri, is one of the most recent beneficiaries of the Community Economic Development Program. With a small loan provided by Bridges To Community, Marvel was able to expand her business and increase production, which helped her pay back her loan through contributions to a community revolving fund for more community projects! read more
During his tour of Nicaragua, Kevin and I paid a visit to our Siuna site. We went out to the community of Santa Rosa where Bridges has worked for 5 years in agricultural, health, education and housing projects. To get to this community you have to walk 20 minutes and then cross a river in a dug out canoe (one of the groups' favorite activities). After arriving at the banks of the Wani River we yelled "wooooh"- the standard signal that one has arrived at the river and the needs a lift to the other side.
For almost a decade, Jill Martin has been working with Bridges to Community to improve the lives of thousands of impoverished children and families in Nicaragua. On Friday, May 7, the organization honored her dedication by presenting her with the "2010 Outstanding Vision and Commitment to Action" Award at the annual Spring Gala. read more
This past February, Temple Shaaray Tefila brought 47 teens to Nicaragua to volunteer with Bridges for their joint annual inter-faith program with the Bedford Presbyterian Church. Rabbi Jason Nevarez, Associate Rabbi, and Brad Zicholtz, Director of the Temple’s Youth Program (and also a Bridges Board member), have been coordinating these service trips with the Bedford Church for the past seven years. It all started at the urging of Dr. Gary Cohn who had been down in Nicaragua with Bridges previously and felt this would be an import asset to the Temple's Youth program. read more
April 6, 2010-Sent to Bridges by the mother of a high school student volunteer
My son, who began to clam up as soon as puberty hit, has talked more about this trip to Nicaragua in March than any other high school experience. He, too, is talking about doing it again, and is re-searching his college acceptances to see which might have a similar program. read more
When Rabobank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program chose to work with Bridges to sponsor a week building homes in Nicaragua, Karen Basu and Jennifer Carbone, both employees of Rabobank in New York City, became the official organizers of the trip. The two women, who were friends prior to the trip, were the life blood of this service week. They raised money, recruited and prepared volunteers as well as secured financial support through Rabobank’s CSR program. read more
For the past eight years, Brian Lisse, MD has been traveling to Nicaragua with Bridges to Community to carry out his dream of providing medical care to people in great need. He has brought with him an ever increasing number of doctors, nurses, 4th-year medical students from Tufts University and even high school students with an interest in medicine. read more
This October, ten members of Bridges to Community's Board of Directors traveled together to Nicaragua to meet with the staff, our community partners, and to get first-hand updates on our current projects. read more
Bridges to Community is a non-profit community development organization. Our challenge is to create a world where basic needs are treated as human rights: shelter, nutrition, education, healthcare, and employment. We work to meet this goal by bringing groups of volunteers to live in materially poor communities where they work on our ongoing community development projects. There are lots of ways you can take part, and lend a hand to bring that world closer.
