Sunday, April 12, 2015

Update on US Embassy Grant Project in La Carpio

Hi friends!  I'm so excited to share with you an update about the US Embassy grant project in La Carpio.  As you might have read last year, I helped the organization ReNuevos (which I have been working with for 3 years now in the slum community of La Carpio) apply for a grant from a fund at the US Embassy.  The program provides funding to organizations that work to reduce violence and drug trafficking in Costa Rica.  We proposed a project entitled "Transforming Futures:  Vocational training, education, and life skills preparation fro the entire family" that would provide funds to hire new staff, expand our vocational programs, and renovate current buildings to provide expanded space for childcare, a bakery, offices, and classrooms, among other things.  We were awarded $175, 000 in October of last year and after a few hiccups, started the hiring and construction processes in December.

Three months later we have:
-Finished the construction projects and have a new early childhood learning center space, psychologist's office and consultation room, a bakery, updated sewing workshop, updated computer lab, new office and meeting spaces
-Hired the following new staff:  psychologist, early childhood learning center director, administrative assistant, computer instructor, bakery instructor, and carpentry instructor
-Started a new bakery program and will be starting the new carpentry program shortly.  The computer and sewing programs have added new participants and expanded class times.

It's amazing to see the physical (and intangible) transformation in this ministry.  We have grown not only in square feet, but in numbers of youth and young adults served, as well as in our capacity to meet their needs in a holistic way.  For me, it has been a real life miracle!  When the organization asked me to help them apply for the grant, I basically told them they were crazy!  I didn't think there was any chance we would actually get the grant (given the rigorous application process and lack of connections with the embassy).  I also strongly advised that if we did by some SLIM chance get the grant, we wouldn't be prepared to handle the finances and reporting processes required.  Doesn't God just like to show up and prove us wrong??

It has been a long, hard 6 months.  We've made a lot of mistakes and learned a lot.  The leaders of the organization have grown and have a better understanding of the administrative and organizational structures required to sustain a project of this size and scope.  And there is still so much more to learn!  But it has been a walk of faith, and I am so blessed and proud to have been a part of it.

I will continue to assist with the reporting and evaluation of the project from the US (if anyone wants to sponsor once or twice yearly visits to Costa Rica to check in on the progress, please let me know ;) But I just wanted to share this success with you all, because it is your success, too.  Praise God for doing infinitely more than we could ever dream or imagine!

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen."  -Ephesians 3:20-21

Amen indeed!

Newly remodeled Early Childhood Learning Center that provides 
educational childcare for children of single teen moms in our programs




New office and meeting space, which was desperately needed to house our growing staff



New bakery that will teach 30+ young women (and men!) a year pastry 
and baking arts, as well as how to start and run their own business



Newly remodeled computer lab (still installing the computers!) that will 
provide space for beginner and advanced classes, 
as well as classes on computer maintenance


One of the two ministry buildings where an entire third floor was 
added to house additional office spaces, computer lab and bakery


Be checking for more blog updates and pictures on Facebook of the ongoing transformation in ministry and lives through this project in La Carpio!  


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