Norwalk/Nagarote Sister City Project

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Logo of the Norwalk/Nagarote Sister City Project NNSCP logo.png
Logo of the Norwalk/Nagarote Sister City Project

The Norwalk/Nagarote Sister City Project (N/NSCP) is a partnership between the people of Nagarote, Nicaragua, and the Greater Norwalk Area of Connecticut, [1] focusing on sustainable community development and breaking the cycle of poverty for the most disadvantaged children and youth in Nagarote.

Nagarote Municipality in Nicaragua

Nagarote is a municipality in the León department of Nicaragua with a population of approximately 32,000 people.

Nicaragua Country in Central America

Nicaragua, officially the Republic of Nicaragua, is the largest country in the Central American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the northwest, the Caribbean to the east, Costa Rica to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. Managua is the country's capital and largest city and is also the third-largest city in Central America, behind Tegucigalpa and Guatemala City. The multi-ethnic population of six million includes people of indigenous, European, African, and Asian heritage. The main language is Spanish. Indigenous tribes on the Mosquito Coast speak their own languages and English.

Norwalk, Connecticut City in Connecticut, United States

Norwalk is a U.S. city located in southwestern Connecticut, in southern Fairfield County, on the northern shore of Long Island Sound. Norwalk lies within both the New York metropolitan area as well as the Bridgeport metropolitan area.

Photo of Norwalk/Nagarote Sister City Project community center in Nagarote, Nicaragua. NNSCP Community Center.png
Photo of Norwalk/Nagarote Sister City Project community center in Nagarote, Nicaragua.

Since its founding in 1986, N/NSCP created Nagarote’s public library, provided an ambulance, built houses for hurricane victims, and provided relief after the earthquake of 2014. [2] In 2003, the Project initiated its Youth Afterschool Program that offers classes in English, computers, sewing, theater, martial arts, [3] sustainable farming and community service. In 2011, N/NSCP built a community center, classrooms and offices in Nagarote. [4] In 2014, N/NSCP sponsored 82 scholarships for students from first grade through college; provided support for 52 students at the Jeronimo Lopez preschool; administered a Youth Afterschool Program to 167 at-risk teens; and ran an afterschool program for 98 children ages 6 to 11. [5]

N/NSCP also operates a model sustainable farm in Nagarote which grows the fruits and vegetables used in their programs, and which also serves as a laboratory for classes on sustainable farming and environmental issues.

N/NSCP has a board of directors based in Norwalk, Connecticut, and an advisory board of local community leaders in Nagarote. The project is operated in Nagarote by a staff field director and approximately 20 full- and part-time local residents. N/NSCP is a 501(c)3. [6]

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References

  1. Nagarote and Norwalk are sister cities and members of Sister Cities International.
  2. "Recaudan ayuda para damnificados de Nagarote". El Nuevo Diario. April 14, 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  3. Coyne, Matt (Apr 12, 2014). "Sister City project brings karate, soccer equipment to Nicaragua". The Hour. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  4. "Norwalk celebrates 25 years of partnership, growth with Nagarote". Stamford Advocate. May 15, 2011.
  5. Gurliacci, David (November 12, 2014). "Middlesex Middle School Team Thanked by Norwalk/Nagarote Sister City Project". Darien Patch. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  6. "GuideStar Profile of N/NSCP". GuideStar.org. Retrieved 9 February 2015.