The next generation NGO has been born in Nicaragua.
Casa-Nica, a new NGO founded by former Peace Core Volunteer Coordinator, Josh
Allsup, and British techno-traveler, Elliot Cooper, is pioneering a new dynamic
in the international development world. Casa-Nica is a volunteer-based
organization deviating from the traditional mentality of many foreign NGOs that
enter into a country without consulting those community leaders and preexisting
institutions that understand the local needs more efficiently than outsiders.
“At Casa-Nica,” says co-founder Josh Allsup, “we are doing something different
with our development work because we believe that the most effective way to
truly help Nicaragua is by working with and contributing to the preexisting
projects and foundations already created by the Nicaraguan people.”
Casa-Nica is also disenchanted with those organizations that pretend to offer
their volunteers and interns a rewarding experience, but in reality saddle them
with burdensome fees and menial work. Casa-Nica recruits enthusiastic
volunteers and interns of all ages and professional backgrounds from around the
world to take an integral part in developing their unique NGO and contributing
to their diverse array of community-development projects, while also offering
custom-tailored Spanish classes and weekend adventures throughout Nicaragua.
Still in its nascent stages, the organization has already developed many
successful projects and relationships with prominent Nicaraguan nonprofits and
benevolent institutions. Masinfa is a Nicaraguan nonprofit that has partnered
with Casa-Nica to help contribute to and expand its language and medical
programs. In addition, the NGO assists with educational needs and sustainable agricultural
programs that benefit several schools such as Escuela Especial Melania Lacayo
Cuadra, the only school dedicated to children with special needs in the region,
Orphanage El Verbo, and an impoverished K-12 school named Laura Vicuña.
Perhaps the NGO’s most recognized partnership is with the Zamora Terán
Foundation and the international nonprofit OLPC, or “One Laptop Per Child,”
that design and freely distribute unique educational laptops for
poverty-plagued children around the world. Casa-Nica assists in computer
programming, repair, diagnostics, maintenance, and education. Casa-Nica doesn’t
just relegate itself to the needs of humans, however, as they also lend their
services to Nicaragua’s National Zoo caring for exotic animals, aiding in park
maintenance, and general day-to-day operations.
Founders Allsup and Cooper are passionate about doing diverse development work
that truly meets the needs of the Nicaraguan people while providing a fun,
educational, flexible, and professionally fulfilling program for their
volunteers and interns that is unlike any other in Central America.
Contact:
Chris Ponzi
Casa-Nica
315 Calle El Calvario
Masaya, Nicaragua
25225946
