She was referred to us at the age of 8, when the abuse became so severe that neighbors became concerned. Los Chavalitos has begun to address some of the issues that these children face but there are limits to what can be done with the extreme poverty and lack of infrastructure in Nicaragua. To get to the nearest health center, which only operates sporadically, people in the area must walk 45 minutes to the road and then take an hour-long ride on a bus that only runs infrequently. There are some medical supplies at the farm and some knowledge of how to use them, but there is no professional medical attention, nor basic knowledge about parasites and other common ailments. In many ways, Los Chavalitos is a center for the community.
Adults come from miles around to attend literacy classes in the schoolhouse.
Many locals are employed as laborers and thus come to the farm every day but Sunday. In many ways, Los Chavalitos is a center for the community. Adults come from miles around to attend literacy classes in the afternoons in the schoolhouse. Many locals are employed as laborers and thus come to the farm every day but Sunday. Alejandro, the director, is a well-known and respected community organizer, who has brought many community members together to work on projects, like building several local schools, piloting a community tree nursery, and environmental and agricultural education workshops for small farmers.