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Country Profile
 The
largest of the Central American Republics, Nicaragua is rich in
resources and fertile soil but has suffered politically and, as
a result, economically and socially. It is known as the "Land
of Volcanoes".
In October 1999, Hurricane Mitch brought much devastation
from which the country is still recovering. Although once the most
industrialized nation in Central America, it is now the poorest.
Training Up Nationals
 A
four-member Hope Corps team went to Nicaragua for the purpose of
enhancing and upgrading the training of Nicaraguan national teachers.
Provadenic Conference
Center in Managua served as the site for the workshop where forty-five
(45) national teachers from 5 area schools participated. Three seminars
ran simultaneously: Pre-school-Grade 2, Grades 3-6, and Secondary
Teachers & Administrators. A variety of topics were covered,
including Language Experience, Easy Math Manipulatives, Graphic
Organizers, Literature Circles, Critical Thinking, Cooperative Learning,
Lesson Design, Multiple Intelligence and Social Development. The
workshops were warmly received and the three experienced translators,
including World Hope volunteer Debbie Chaffee, made good contributions
to the classes.
Two of the participating schools presented programs of songs, readings,
and folk dancing for the visitors. Tours of the schools were conducted
and several teachers briefly discussed their educational programs.
The team also had the opportunity to tour Volcan National Park and
visited the market at Mesaya.
The Team:
Team Leader Margo Kettelkamp is a school psychologist
in the Houghton, NY area. Annalisa Davenport,
a public school Special Education teacher, hales
from San Diego, CA. And two education professors,
Mary Maness from Oklahoma Wesleyan University
and Dr. Ronald Kronemeyer from Cornerstone University
in Michigan, completed the team.
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