TERRON COLORADO, ISLA ZAPATERA, NICARAGUA
SOLAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

PROJECT DATES: MARCH 17 - 25, 2012

The community of Terron Colorado is one of a handful of communities located on the island of Zapatera in the middle of Lake Nicaragua. Isla Zapatera is the "Cinderella" of Lake Nicaragua with its step-sister island "Ometepe" getting all of the attention. Truly a gem, Isla Zapatera is a large island covered in lush green trees, so many that you cannot see the houses from above.

The people living on Isla Zapatera have been severely neglected for years due to the isolation of the island and their level of poverty. There are no ferries that run to the island, no electrical lines, no phone lines, no secondary schools, and almost no health care services. On our recent trip to the island we were surprised to see how friendly and welcoming the community members were and how thankful they were for the services that Children's Wellness Fund, a US non-profit that provides ongoing support to the island, has given to them so far. Due to this generous non-profit organization, the kids from the island that graduate from 6th grade can continue to study in the nearby city of Granada on the main land. CWF takes the kids by boat to Granada, gives them school supplies, food and a place to stay in the city.

Back on the island, the quality of education is poor and the small school in Terron Colorado is the only school the children in the community have access to and it currently has no electricity. This humble building and community deserve the right to have access to information and tools to teach the upcoming generation. No one deserves to be left behind as the world advances around them, and a solar electric system on this school will give these kids a chance to excel and reach their full potential.

In March 2012, Power to the People volunteers traveled to Nicaragua and installed a 900W solar electric system on the roof of the Terron Colorado school. Together with community volunteers, Children's Wellness Fund and local solar company Suni Solar; volunteers helped bring lights and AC power to the school, which is used by the entire community for classes and as a meeting space.

After the installation was complete,the community celebrated by having a "fiesta de despedida". Once the installation is done and good times were had at the fiesta, Power to the People volunteers set off to explore some of the most beautiful sites in Nicaragua including San Juan del Sur, Granada and the Pueblos Blancos.

Inside of Terron Colorado School

Isla Zapatera in Lake Nicaragua

Resident of Terron Colorado

Resident of Terron Colorado

A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS OF THIS PROJECT: