Jo Adkins

Working with children in Jinotepe, Nicaragua

The average educational level of Nicaraguans is currently just 5.6 years of schooling. Nicaragua’s population is young: of seven million people¹, 35% are under 17-years-old. Less than 85% of children will complete their primary education, and only 45% will go on to complete secondary school.

Nicaraguan children commonly face several challenges. These range from poverty, often resulting in child labour, to the breakdown of family units and disfunctional home lives. These factors contribute to an increasing number of children dropping out of school, some joining gangs; and there is a growing number of adolescents who are having children themselves.

Carazo Christian Academy

Carazo Christian Academy educates children from pre-school to secondary-school-age. The school has students from all socio-economic backgrounds and the education is thoroughly grounded in the Christian faith.

The academy has two aims:

• that children will receive a well-rounded bilingual (English/Spanish) education.
• that many will come to have a personal relationship with Jesus. We trust God that through our educational approach, families and communities will be transformed by God’s love.

My role

Having previously lived and volunteered for almost 16 years in Nicaragua, it is exciting to have this opportunity to return. I will be working at Carazo Christian Academy where initially I will be helping the students who are struggling academically. I will also use my TEFL qualification to help the staff learn English. I am also keen to have the opportunity to find practical ways to share the gospel with the children and their families.

1. _{Main photo: village children, Nicaragua by D Wagonerd/unsplash.com; above: with my family.}
   
2. _{1. Source for population: worldpopulationreview.com (Jan 2023).}