Santa Ana community challenged by climate
The rainy season is always an uncomfortable time of year in Granada. It’s a blessing naturally to the agriculture of the country (in moderation) but, it ends there. For the inhabitants, especially rural, the weaknesses in basic infrastructure become readily apparent. The access roads to the community during October and November are frequently flooded, equally are some of the homes of the children whom we support. With the rains also comes a greater number of cases of the mosquito borne viruses that plague Nicaragua... chikungunya, malaria, dengue and zika. While chikungunya and zika are not prevalent this year, there has been an alarming increase in dengue cases, despite the best efforts of the health department with fumigation, it remains a battle throughout the year.
The basic homes of many families, constructed of board, and zinc roofing sheet, with earthen floor are no match for the weight or velocity of our tropical rains. The anxiety created by theses circumstances, and the losses of basic furnishings, bedding and clothing are tragic, and annual. These are not circumstances that any child could be expected to flourish academically under but, with support from the community, local and abroad, the children do persevere, and stay to the path.
Gravel and sand from nearby quarries is brought into Santa Ana in an effort to stem the flow of tropical rains inundating the community.
Children making their way to school along the flooded path/road to Granada. There is a marked drop in attendance at school when these circumstances are at their most
severe, sometimes leading to school drop out since school year ends in November.
With the rains, so much clothing and furnishing is damaged. Donations from the residents of Granada were coordinated with Empowerment International to bring clothing to the community. Medicines and medical visits were coordinated with the Hijos del Maiz, a community NGO..
See what we do, with your support. Visit https://empowermentinternational.org #empowerment #Nicaragua #empowermentinternational #education #school #achievement #development From concern comes commitment