This summer we had the luxury to have three collage interns from the University of California at UC Davis working at the community Center in La Calle Real. First to arrive was Laura Oelsner and Jovani Lara.

Laura was able to introduce a vision screening program just a vision of many people in the community. She also was able to bring 500 pairs of glasses donated by the California and Nevada branch of Lions in Sight. The program is continuing this fall with an optometrist from Leon doing further screening to provide the proper correction for those with poor vision. She also has contact with other foundations and nonprofits who have ability to arrange to have cataracts removed from those with severely impaired vision.

Laura also assisted with the English classes, the nutrition program, special needs kids, and the library/reading literacy program at the community center.

Jovani was very involved in the English program, which helps young people in the community become well qualified to be eligible for the job market in Nicaragua. Jovani was instrumental in working with the micro loan program and assisting those with start-up businesses. He also did the planning for a future playground/sport court in the local community.

Pamela Munoz arrived early August and worked with the young women in the community regarding self-image and cosmetology. She also worked with young people to make murals that depict the culture and daily life in LCR.

Maya Andrus and her husband Jensen arrived in mid-summer, and worked on the following programs over a three-month period

-training for your adults who are interested in starting a hair salon/barbershop.

-Jensen was able to not only work with the special-needs program, but also was able to start our first computer literacy class in the community.