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About
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We
met down in Nicaragua in the spring and summer of 2006. Through our
time and work there together, we came to realize the need for a program
that would provide real opportunities for impoverished communities to
improve their own life situations through self-motivated
effort.
We saw that handouts only bred dependence. This project is the result
of all the ideas and desire for change brewing over this past year
among friends, to help create sustainable and long-term solutions to
entrenched poverty in Central America's poorest country.
Welcome
to Nica HOPE.
Nica HOPE has partnered with Fabretto Children's Foundation, an established U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit organization operating in Nicaragua, in order to best serve the community of La Chureca and beyond.
Nica HOPE has partnered with Fabretto Children's Foundation, an established U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit organization operating in Nicaragua, in order to best serve the community of La Chureca and beyond.
Deanna
Ford, Director and co-founder.
Deanna graduated in
2003 from Princeton University with a degree in Economics and Latin
American Studies. Afterwards, she went to Washington, DC to work as a
research assistant at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). During the
summer of 2006, Deanna worked in underdeveloped communities in
Nicaragua with Manna Project International on projects in education,
health, and microfinance. Deanna completed her Master of Public Policy
at Georgetown University in May 2007, where she focused on issues in
international development and education. During school, she has also
worked as a consultant for Agora Partnerships, an organization
fostering business development in Nicaragua, and as a research fellow
for the Center for Research on Children in the U.S. Deanna
currently works full-time in Nicaragua, directing and developing
project operations of Nica HOPE.Contact: Deanna@nicahope.org
Jordan
Hooper, co-founder.
Jordan graduated in 2005 from the Sally McDonnell-Barksdale Honors
College at the University of Mississippi with a degree in English and
History. He returned home to New Orleans just months before
Hurricane Katrina's devastation and
spent months afterwards
rebuilding destroyed homes. Inspired by the efforts of
Hispanic
laborers in his hometown, Jordan sought an opportunity to volunteer in
Latin America and began with Manna Project International soon
thereafter. For ten months in 2006, he worked in impoverished
Nicaraguan communities on projects in education, health, and
microfinance. In August of 2007, Jordan will begin a
postgraduate
joint-degree program in Latin American Studies and Law at Tulane
University. Until then, Jordan will be in Nicaragua establishing
critical partnerships and setting up project operations for Nica HOPE. Contact: Jordan@nicahope.org
Ben Bodell, co-founder. Ben
graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2005, earning a degree in
International Community Development and Cognitive Psychology.
While at Vanderbilt, Ben worked in Marketing and Advertising at Compass
Records on Nashville's Music Row. Following graduation Ben traveled
throughout the Hispanic world, building relationships while teaching
English and learning Spanish. This journey culminated in a stint with
Manna Project International, where he worked on education,
microfinance, and business development projects. Since his
return
to
the U.S., Ben has split his time working with John
Yarmuth's
campaign staff in his successful mid-term congressional bid, and with a
Consulting firm as a Marketing and Event Coordinator. Ben plans to
attend graduate school in the fall of 2007, studying International
Affairs. Ben is directing publicity and fundraising efforts for Nica
HOPE in the States. Contact: Ben@nicahope.org
Chris Yuko, co-founder. Chris graduated in 2004 from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Economics. Upon graduation Chris moved to Nicaragua to work as one of Manna Project International's founding members. During his two years in country his projects ranged from the creation of a child sponsorship program in the city dump to the construction of a $2.6M dollar women and children’s health clinic. Chris returned to the U.S. in the Fall of 2006 to start a MD/MBA program at Wake Forest University. While in school, Chris has organized an international consulting program between Wake Forest business students and Nicaraguan small businesses. The program focuses on the sharing of knowledge and resources while ultimately providing long-term support for economic and growth. Chris is helping to design and develop Nica HOPE project activities for sustainable development.