I received a letter recently from a client of mine requesting help for his amazing non-profit organization La Isla Foundation. I will let the letter speak for itself but if you are able to give no amount is too small.
Thanks,
Jon
Greetings all-
Last year, while at the school in the community we work with at La Isla Foundation, I noticed a lovely but misused building on the school property. It was the perfect size for a library/reading room but it was full of broken desks and school equipment with no available funds for repairs. The space was also suitable for English classes many of our volunteers have offered to teach, and for adult literacy programs run by the government. Since most of our projects are long term, I wanted to help the community gain something positive for the near future and enjoy the benefits in years to come.
I proposed to the school principal that we clear out the desks, store them under a tarp and begin renovating the building for a library. This became a pet project of mine that we plugged away at in our “free time” between our field studies, community organizing, preparing for our excursions, and latrine and water projects. With help from the community and the Nicaragua Ministry of Education the renovation is nearly finished. We are repairing the desks and building shelves and storage areas for books, films, and games the kids can use in their new learning space.
This is where you come in: We hope to raise $1000.00 by next Wednesday in order to close out this project. No amount is too small and you can quickly and securely make a tax deductible donation through PayPal at http://laislafoundation.org/LaIsla/Home.html . Just click the “Donate” button and follow the onscreen directions. If you prefer, checks payable to La Isla Foundation can be mailed to La Isla Foundation, PO Box 816, Ada, MI 49301.
Instead of money, maps, Spanish language books of all levels, English language K-5 books, and media in the form of DVDs/posters, etc., would also be very much appreciated. I think that books on geography with great photos are a wonderful way of showing these kids what else is out there. With our support we can provide an opportunity to see the wider world by giving them a space for their curious minds to just explore and experience something other than the world of unimaginable challenges that is their daily reality. Send any materials to Linda Glaser, 7673 Silverthorn Dr. SE, Ada, MI 49301, and we will get them to Nicaragua.
If you want to work directly with La Isla, we invite you to come to Nicaragua this summer, as we plan on painting murals in the new library with the community throughout the summer. There are always opportunities for work and learning with the Foundation but our home stays and lodging space fill up very quickly, so let us know ASAP if you are interested. Contact me at Laislafoundation@gmail.com if you want to work/learn with us.
It isn’t often that we can create something so useful for a community for so little. This was a lucky instance of seeing an opportunity and getting everyone involved on board from the get go. I am extremely happy that we are so close to finishing it. With your help we won’t be close…we’ll be done. So if you can, please donate today at: http://laislafoundation.org/LaIsla/Home.html. Any extra funds received will be rolled over into our water and community public health programs.
Best,
Jason Glaser
Producer & Director
AFFECTED FILMS
President
LA ISLA FOUNDATION
