Friends Of Cicrin

FIRST, IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT CICRIN IS A NICARAGUAN SCHOOL AND REFUGE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH. FRIENDS OF CICRIN IS A US 501C3 ORGANIZATION WHOSE SOLE PURPOSE IS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR AND AWARENESS IN SUPPORT OF THE MINISTRIES AND PROGRAMS OF CICRIN. THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF FRIENDS OF CICRIN HAVE TO DO WITH SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISING, BUT THAT IS SIMPLY THE MEANS TO THE END OF EDUCATING, PROTECTING, AND PROVIDING FOR THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH STUDYING AND/OR LIVING AT CICRIN. THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC CAUSED ALL VISITING USA MISSION TEAMS TO CANCEL THEIR 2020 AND 2021 VISITS TO CICRIN. AS THE MODEST ROOM AND BOARD FEES THAT CICRIN CHARGES VISITING TEAMS FORM A SUBSTANTIAL PART OF THEIR INCOME, IT FELL TO FRIENDS OF CICRIN TO RAISE ALMOST ALL THE FUNDS REQUIRED TO KEEP THE SCHOOL OPEN, THE PROGRAMS RUNNING, AND TO HOUSE, FEED, CLOTHE AND SUPERVISE THE 12-15 CHILDREN AND YOUTH WHO RESIDE AT CICRIN FULL TIME (BECAUSE THEY ARE ABANDONED, ABUSED, NEGLECTED OR AT-RISK) FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR. WE ARE HAPPY TO REPORT THAT SUPPORTERS STEPPED UP AND DONATED A TOTAL OF $140,513 TO PROVIDE THE FUNDS NEEDED TO KEEP THE PLACE OPEN AND RUNNING ALL YEAR. FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR THAT BEGAN IN FEBRUARY 2020, THE SCHOOL ENROLLED A TOTAL OF 140 STUDENTS FROM PRE-K THROUGH GRADE 12 (US EQUIVALENT GRADE LEVELS), AND EMPLOYED 11 TEACHERS. A NUTRITIOUS HOT LUNCH IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE TO ALL STUDENTS -- OFTEN THE MOST SUBSTANTIAL MEAL THEY EAT ALL DAY. NICARAGUAN LAW PREVENTS THE SCHOOL FROM CHARGING TUITION, SO THE EDUCATION IS FREE TO ALL STUDENTS. THE SCHOOL YEAR RUNS FROM FEBRUARY THROUGH EARLY DECEMBER, WITH CLASSES HELD EVERY WEEKDAY. FOR THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM, THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH LIVE IN HOUSES ON CICRIN'S CAMPUS EVERY DAY, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF OCCASIONAL WEEKENDS AND SCHOOL BREAKS SPENT WITH LOCAL FAMILIES. A BEFORE- AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM SERVES ABOUT 35 STUDENTS, PROVIDING TUTORING, ATHLETIC OPPORTUNITIES, BIBLE STUDY, CRAFTS, COMPUTER SKILLS AND OCCASIONAL OUTINGS. NUTRITIOUS SNACKS ARE ALSO PROVIDED. FRIENDS OF CICRIN ALSO UPGRADED AND UPDATED CICRIN'S WEBSITE, WHICH WAS TERRIBLY OUT OF DATE. THIS PROJECT RESULTED IN A MUCH IMPROVED WEB PRESENCE, WITH ONE-TIME COSTS PAID TO A CONSULTANT HELD TO A MINIMUM, AS VOLUNTEER BOARD MEMBERS LEARNED FROM THE CONSULTANT AND DID MOST OF THE HANDS-ON WORK. SEE WWW.CICRINUS.ORG FOR THE RESULTS. THE $154,609 IN "GRANTS AND ALLOCATIONS" REPRESENTS THE TOTAL AMOUNT WIRED TO CICRIN DURING THE FISCAL YEAR.