Kristin from Australia, we will miss you

Posted on by
Reply

Kristin has been volunteering with EEP for 3 weeks in Nicaragua. As part of her programme she has created invaluable resources to help promote EEP products – watch this space for her videos to be released soon with our exciting new products, she formed part of the team in Nicaragua and visited schools & businesses in Managua to get them recycling paper with us. Most of all she has left a smile on the women’s faces. Being a volunteer will change your life in many ways…here is what Kristin has to say about her experience:

Kristin with some of the EEP participants children

“My third and final week at The Earth Education project came and left too quickly.

My week consisted of completing my personal project [a video to promote and explain the joint reforestation programme with EEP and the Pure Earth Project], it included multiple trips to pick up paper from local businesses who donate their paper to us, and a visit from the kids at the Dianova school school  whom we visited last week to talk to about EEP – as part EEP’s “recycling futures” programme they school  recycles paper with us and in return they visist the centre where we share with them what we do with the paper and I also helped out the EEP team and the participants whenever they needed.

In Nicaragua it's tradition whenever you eat a cake to smear the icing on your friends faces for good luck- Kristin was not escaping!

I really don’t feel ready to say goodbye to these incredible women just yet. Especially after my last day, where we all sat around the work shop tables together, eating the delicious typical Nica dish that my co worker Silvia prepared for everyone, and after I gave the girls a small handmade card to tell them how grateful I was to have met them, they in turn, one by one, gave me a handmade gift they had especially prepared for me. It was very hard not to cry, especially after reading the kind words they had written in their cards to me. We finished the party with a cake fight, each of us running after the next screaming girl planting a handful of cake in their face.

My time here in Nicaragua has been so rich in so many ways and I am sure I will be coming back to see these smiling faces again some day soon.

Reforesting with EEP in Nicaragua

Posted on by
1

Kristin Murray, is taking part in EEP’s international volunteer programme in Nicaragua. Here she summarises her second week with us which took her all the way to Nicaragua’s west coast where EEP is working with NGO partner Green Pathways on a reforestation project.

What have I been up to?

Kristin making paper with EEP participants

This last week at EEP has been so busy and has gone by super fast.

During the week I helped out as much as I could in the workshop making paper, helping with the final touches to the recycled paper bags and cards and ran around the stores with Silvia [EEP staff] to order and collect supplies needed for the workshop education classes and to make the products.

Visiting the community:

I also made a trip to the community [where EEP beneficiaries live] to see how it has improved in La Chureca. Only 4 months earlier the families of this area were living amongst rubbish, pollution and in a world of struggle with the problems that come with living in a house made of scrap metal and plastic, in a land where two months of the year it pours with rain, and for the whole of the year it is impossible to escape a heat and humidity that is the least to say unbearable.

Now, after a long awaited reconstruction project that has taken 10 years [between the Spanish department for international Development and the Nicaraguan government], the families of La Chureca are living in concrete houses in a neighbourhood with a sanitation system and fixed abodes and safer areas. There is a park, where previously children played on the dump, there is a school in the process of opening, and the children can run, laughing and play with each other in a cleaner environment.

What a difference to the neighbourhood I can only imagine lay here just over four months ago. Read Andrea’s blog from last year describing this project

These changes came about thanks to a visit to the landfill by the vice president of Spain in 2007, which saw to the start of this housing project costing 30 million Euros, to cover and seal the dump to power a a sorting factory that has created 200 jobs and build houses for the people living at La Chureca.

Tears of gratitude

Maudelia with her son. Maudelia donated clothes to Kristin after her back pack was stolen

Thursday afternoon, after hearing that my backpack had been stolen, being the reason for me wearing the same clothes everyday, one of the women [Maudelia - pictured] from the centre brought me a small bag stuffed with clothes. I was overwhelmed with a feeling of gratitude and simply couldn’t find the words to thank someone who had almost nothing, standing in front of me, giving me clothes so I had more of a variety in my closet. This was something truly remarkable beyond words.

Presenting to EEP business partners and schools in Managua

Kristin (back row centre) and Silvia EEP staff (front row centre) with Dianova students

Ana, Silvia and I made a presentation of EEP and its products to the hotel staff of where we receive our recycled paper from, and also to a school in a neighbouring town of Managua of the products that the ladies make.

As part of EEP’s school ‘recycling futures’ programme, schools are connected with the beneficiaries of EEP through recycling paper with EEP and also having a visit from EEP staff and then visiting the workshop a well to meet the women and make paper for a day. This connects different communities and parts f society with each other in order to learn from each other and break down social barriers and broaden minds and education for both groups of students: EEP students and school students.

The Dianova College is a school for children whose parents had either abandoned them, passed away or could not look after them any more. It was a heart warming experience, especially when one of the children gave me a mame, a fruit typical from Nicaragua, from his pile when he had seen me looking in interest at what he had.

Reforesting with EEP

Kristin on her way to Las Salinas where EEP and Green Pathways are working on a reforestation project to be launched in June 2013

Friday I made a trip to Leon to interview the founder of Green Pathways. Green Pathways is an organisation that concentrates on reforestation and turtle conservation.

The Earth Education Project and Green Pathways are working together to reforest a part of Managua that is being rapidly destroyed by the local villages. We took a boat deep into the mangroves not far from crocodile territory and got our hands dirty planting over 100 mangroves shoots.

Next week I will be making a video to show how EEP will be helping reforest this particular area with this organisation – so watch this space to find out how you can support it too!

Learning and giving back

This week I have learned a lot and I am only looking forward to the next week to come.

James is interning with us in London!

Posted on by
Reply

We are thrilled to have James as part of the EEP team in London. Our interns provide valuable support and form an important part of the team in London. As a small charity we have 1 full time staff member in the UK, and this only after 3 years of Andrea EEP founder working 2 jobs alongside EEP. So interns are superstars, and ones we cannot do without. From events organising, to fundraising, to report writing to market stalls, our interns do it all – find out what James as been up to and why he likes working for EEP.  

James Blackstock is interning with EEP in London April - June

My name is James and I joined the Earth Education Project’s UK team in May 2013 to work alongside EEP Director Andrea Paltzer as an Administration Assistant. For me it was a perfect fit, as I had just returned from Nicaragua where I had been working for a large youth and education orientated NGO, and I was keen to continue working with the country and build on my knowledge and understanding of third sector management.

Since teaming up with Andrea she has been keeping me busy – at the moment we are involved in an interesting expansion of our product range, school partnership campaigns and volunteer programmes and I have been working at building new connections with agencies and institutions as well as updating our existing databases of contacts and donors. It’s an interesting time for EEP as the organisation looks to grow in key areas, consolidate its financial sustainability and increase its ability to invest in in-country programmes. It has been very rewarding working with EEP. Being a part of a smaller, growing organisation has given me the chance to contribute to a fascinating group with an innovative and passionate team, and I have felt welcomed and appreciated from the outset.

My relationship with Latin America began many years ago when I worked in a state orphanage for abandoned and abused young girls and a not-for-profit language school in Sucre, Bolivia. My experience there was greatly rewarding and encouraged me to explore more of the region and continue working with youth and social programmes. Since then I have worked in schools, universities and NGOs in Colombia, Amazonia and Nicaragua and have done a Masters degree in Latin American Studies to deepen my understanding of the region that I have been lucky enough to call home.

After returning from Nicaragua in April the opportunity to work with an organisation that believes in education as a vehicle for creating income and employment opportunities was irresistible. What’s more during my time in Nicaragua I helped implement an infrastructural project that aimed to empower a women’s cooperative, and this emphasis on creating gender equalities as part of an integrated and holistic approach to community and economic development strategy is something that I am very interested in and EEP works passionately towards. Promoting gender equality and empowering women is a Millennium Development Goal for a reason – it is the key to improving sustainable outcomes for young people and families the world over[i]. To be a part of this endeavour with EEP in one of Central America’s most underprivileged and marginalised communities is something we can be very proud of, and one of the attributes that the women gain from working with EEP is self-esteem – something that is unquantifiable but life changing.

Meet Kristin volunteering with us in Nicaragua

Posted on by
2

Kristin with EEP participant Maudelia

My name is Kristin Murray, I am 26 years old and from Australia.

I am currently visiting Nicaragua for the month of May to volunteer for the Earth Education Project in the capital of Nicaragua, Managua.

I found out about this organisation when I was shopping through the busy market in Notting Hill, London.

As I was searching for a Mother’s Day gift, I came across a tiny stall that sold greeting cards. Taking a closer look I found that the cards were made out of recycled paper from a rubbish dump in South America where people lived in and worked, and that the proceedings of the sales of these cards went directly back to the women working on the dumps, to generate an income and to help move the families out of the dump.

What an amazing idea I thought and bought my mum a card for Mother’s Day.

Two gifts in one; the card, and the feeling of the gift of giving.

Since then I had wanted to visit the place where the cards were made, and now I am finally here.

I came alone and am feeling a little overwhelmed by the attention, heat, crowded buses and so on. So when I walked into the centre on my first day and was met by fifteen or so smiling friendly faces I felt a great deal of relief.

As I took a guided tour of the workshop by my new friend Ana [EEP’s coordinator], I had to hide my emotion. It was a dream come true to see the good of humanity in the making.

There were three tables with women recycling paper into cards, bracelets, beads, plates, bowls, coasters and bags.

Kristin being taught how to make paper by Maricela

Out in the backyard there was a gigantic tub full of green water, a lady blending paper and another sieving the paper with square flat sieves.

They were both wearing gumboots and looked up at me and said “hola” in unison.

The whole process is so simple yet so effective, and the products are so beautiful and of such good quality. I can see myself buying a fair share of the production line here.

For the rest of my first afternoon I sat with the women, trying to follow their conversations in Spanish and joining in when I could.

This day was a day I will never forget.

As part of my volunteer programme I am making a video of the creation of the creation of the products. [Each EEP volunteer is given a specific task for the duration of their volunteership]

My first week (May 6th – 11th) I filmed the girls making the new EEP bracelet to be launched at the end of May in the UK.

Kristin with EEP participant Ana who is showing Kristin how to recycle paper into a bracelet

These bracelets, called Pure Water Baracelets, once bought, provide water filters for the people in need in Managua, and my job for the next few days was to create a promotional video for the website.

On Wednesday I had a Skype date with the founder of the Earth Education Project. I was very excited to unleash all of my questions but when the time came I had forgotten most of them! It was lovely to chat with someone who had created something as beautiful as this organisation, as one day I would like to do the same in South East Asia.

The last few days of the week I was in the office quite a lot editing the video . The few times I was in the classroom I was greeted yet again by curious faces and big smiles. I can tell it is going to be a fun and rewarding three weeks ahead and I am really looking forward to it.

Kristin with EEP staff Ana (left) and Silvia (right)

Would you like to visit the EEP Workshop?

Posted on by
Reply

Silvia, EEPs part-time staff member in Nicaragua invites us to make the journey - from the town to the workshop at least!!

From the video below the trip that the participants make to work every day in a caponera (nicaraguan for what we would call a tuk tuk) can be seen. Take a moment to have a look and consider if you would do the same? The tube may get hot and crowded, but do you have to travel across a bumpy road, up and down through the pot holes, through the dust and pollution?

Silvia, our EEP Star in Nicaragua jokes and invites us Londeners to come join her and see how we enjoy the ride - as if its some sort of rollercoaster!!

Next year, 2013, EEP needs to find a new home, and hopefully, one with a grand entrance. Fingers crossed. Every christmas card that gets sold this year will go to helping these women have a new workshop and better facilities.

If you want to know more about the community, or have a great idea to help EEP grow, please contact us at info@eartheducationproject.org

caponera ride to the workshop – video link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcJbwHnUUNs&feature=youtu.be

 

Inside EEP – the voice of Ninoska Velazquez.

Posted on by
Reply

After continuously posting information on updates from EEP’s London activities. Today we thought we would give you some insight into the lives and feelings of the women in Nicaragua. When the EEP workshop first started out, all participant were illiterate, today 100% can read, write, and have acquired many other skills they never imagined possible to learn. Ninoska is just one of the many EEP participants benefiting from the numerous lessons provided and here is her letter of gratitude.

 

 7-11-12

I began in the workshop a year ago. I began decorating and later hand-making paper and reading with my teacher Lesbia.

Later, Ana taught me to paint, to make envelopes, bags, notepads, books. I am very happy in the workshop, I get on well with my colleagues.

I hope that the workshop can advance, for us to be better, and to have better conditions. I hope it continues encouraging me, and continues being understanding, especially when I have difficulties with my son. I hope to give everything i can in order to be a better person and to learn more.

Thank you for everything. To Andrea, for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the workshop, I appreciate this a lot. To Ana, for your understanding, your support, and your patience with me. And to Carlos, for the art classes I enjoy so much.

Ninoska.

Ninoska's letter of appreciation for EEP//La carta de Ninoska para dar gracias a EEP.

EEP’s New Uniform

Posted on by
Reply

While EEP desperately needs a new home, new equipment, materials and clothing are also needed. Through gaining bigger and better facilities, EEP hopes to include more women and reach further into the community. Thanks to LinksTshirts, Brighton UK, and Garment Printing, London UK, the women now have these great EEP uniforms! In the past, the women have wore their own clothes, but of course, due to the nature of paper making and decorating, their clothes have gotten quite dirty quite quickly and eventually have been ruined. As you can imagine, laundry facilities in La Chureca are scarce so these Tshirts really do help protect their clothes and save the women from the costs of unnecessary regular cleaning.

EEP Workshop in action

It may seem a small gift, but the donation of these Tshirts really do help greatly in empowering these women and improving their daily lives. By wearing the EEP tshirt, a real sense of belonging is felt within the workshop. The women feel a part of EEP and EEP can now have much more of a presence in the community.

Although we have been lucky enough to receive such generous donations, as EEP expands and more women are able to join in the workshop, we will be needing more uniforms! If you have any great ideas or suggestions to help the women please do let us know, and if you would like to donate any more clothing we would love to hear from you!
For more information on why we need a new home and more uniforms send your questions to us @EarthEducationP on twitter.
Or, to find out more about the generous local UK companies that are helping the lives of women in Nicaragua follow the links below.

http://www.garmentprinting.co.uk/

http://www.linkstshirts.com/

Martyn from Links Tshirts

Meet Abby – EEP’s awesome new intern

Posted on by
Reply

Abby, EEP's new intern

At EEP we count our lucky stars for all the wonderful people past and present who volunteer their time and skills to make EEP happen. Abby Kroh is a new addition to the our little galaxy of EEP stars. Abby, from Pittsburgh, USA, will be interning with EEP for the remainder of the year helping to set EEP up for our new adventures in 2013. In her own words Abby tells us a bit about herself and what she will be up to with EEP;

My name is Abby Kroh and I am thrilled to say that I am EEP’s newest intern. I am from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania but recently moved to London while my partner studies for his MBA. After earning my BA in archaeology and anthropology in 2006, I worked for a variety of non-profits and currently serve on JDRF’s Board of Directors. Although London is a spectacular city with lots to do, I was getting a little restless and wanted to spend my time here productively. And that’s when I discovered EEP.

EEP’s mission to improve the impoverished community of La Chureca through job training and education resonated with me. While working for Americorps, I tutored and mentored underprivileged high-school students at an afterschool program and worked to improve local communities through a youth employment program that focused on urban gardening. I also taught English in rural India in the summer of 2010. Both of these experiences opened my eyes to importance of empowering extremely disadvantaged communities through education and sustainable employment. And EEP’s efforts do that and so much more. After speaking with Andrea, I learned that EEP not only teaches the women the employable skill of recycling paper to make cards, but they also teach the women how to read and write, hold nutrition classes and social development workshops.

There is so much to do at EEP and I will have plenty of responsibilities while interning. Some of these duties include working with Jamie to promote EEP through various social media outlets, contacting local shops, online stores and markets to sell the handmade cards, researching grant opportunities, soliciting donations for EEP’s annual Christmas Fundraiser and promoting their market volunteer role. Needless to say, I expect to be wonderfully busy these next few months and I am excited for the opportunity to help the women and families of La Chureca.

THE LOVE, LOOK AND FEEL OF A CARD.

Posted on by
Reply

Sophie, EEP trustee and artistic director, shares why EEP makes her smile and ‘why out with the old’ is not necessarily always the best move… 

Sophie

Today I realised why I love working with and helping the Earth Education Project, aside from the obvious reason that it empowers women and their families in Nicagarua. It is because it is also saving tradition; EEP stands out in a world that is becoming obsessed with conducting our relationships with our friends and family on-line; I am talking about on-line e-letters, e-cards and e-invites.

I got home from a stressful day at work today and on my doorstep was a hand written package. A hand written package, not a bill or a voucher or junk mail but a hand written package delivered personally to me. Inside this package were the beautiful cards from EEP that I had ordered, ready to be written in and sent to an individual person with a personal and meaningful note of thanks, love or greetings. I will make another person smile and also feel happy when they receive an EEP card in the post rather than getting a bill in the post or even a personal email or e-card. EEP and their greetings cards are spreading happiness and smiles.

Making an EEP card

EEP believe in recycling and creating unique products from scrap. Each card is an individual work of art that has taken a team of 15 women 3 days to make.  You can see this attention to detail and craftsmanship when you get an EEP card and when you send it to someone, the card, as well as the message, acts as a gift. The new trend of large on-line e-card companies is not for everyone. Great, if you order your card before 12noon it will get there guaranteed the next day, printed in a generic font with a design 1000s of others are receiving or you can get it to them the same day in their email inbox (providing it doesn’t go into their junk mail!). That to me isn’t special. I can’t put an e-card in a frame or on my mantle piece. But if you order a card with EEP it will also be sent 1st class and get to you within a day and it wont go into the junk box it will go through your letter box and sit proudly on a table or mantle piece.

EEP Birthday Card

EEP Birthday Card

I get sad thinking that one day everything could be just on-line and the tradition of taking the time to really chose how your message is delivered will be gone. Saying “Hello, I’m thinking of you”, “Thank you for a wonderful day” means so much more when it’s in a card and not in an e-mail.

Why don’t you put a smile on your friends face and send them a card, just to say hi. It made my day!

 

 

Sophie Argles, a UK based artist, is EEP’s lucky charm, she works very hard as a trustee and as EEP’s artistic director.  She donates exclusive designs for the Christmas and Valentine’s collections as well as the Sophie’s Summer collection. 
Sophie Argles: http://www.sophiearglescontemporaryartist.com/

Thank you Aalia

Posted on by
Reply

Aalia, our 2012 summer intern - we miss her!

It is with a heavy EEP heart we say goodbye and THANK YOU to Aalia Udawala who was a fantastic edition to the EEP team this summer. Her endless enthusiasm, willingness to take responsibility, charm and great research skills made her indispensable to us. COME BACK!

And here’s what she thought of working with EEP
…interested? Get in touch!

After two amazing months of interning at EEP, I can safely say that I have learned so much from this charity and gained an incredible passion for humanitarianism.

When I first heard about EEP, I knew I liked the concept but it really hit home when I volunteered at The London Green Fair in Regent’s Park. Sharing the EEP story and seeing people’s faces light up when they heard what good simply buying a great card could do inspired me to spread the word even more.

I learned so much during my time, I can only hope that I gave EEP even half of what it gave to me. I learned about grants and trusts, trademarking, marketing and social media. Being at a small charity really allowed me to go in depth with my research and the brilliant founder Andrea gave me excellent guidance and served as a wonderful role model of what I aspire to be like one day.

I hope to one day visit the women in Nicaragua and witness the inevitable growth of this inspiring project year after year. EEP in the future will expand to do more great things than it already does, and I am excited to watch it blossom. The women in Nicaragua have such bright futures now and all it takes is a little bit of caring from those of us fortunate enough positions to be able to help. I will use my knowledge in my final year of university and in a future career in International Development or International Relations to try and make the world a better place, one step (or card) at a time.