Swindon Ocotal Link

More About Sol

SOL is a membership organisation with charitable status. We have a steering committee in Swindon and a committee in Ocotal which oversees all project work.

Objectives

SOL has three main objectives:

To promote deeper understanding of the political, economic and social environment affecting our respective communities
To provide material, human and spiritual support for the people of Ocotal
To ensure there are thriving SOL organisations in both towns

Background

In 1986, following contact by the Swindon Central American Study Group and the Mayor of Ocotal, Felipe Barreda, the Thamesdown Nicaragua Link Association (TNLA) was formed. In 1990 the formal twinning between the towns of Swindon and Ocotal took place and the TNLA changed its name to the Swindon Ocotal Link - SOL.

Projects

Projects are managed from an office in Ocotal. There is a general fund out of which small one-off grants are made to benefit individuals and groups in the community. There is also a fund for emergencies in the area. Since the linking, SOL has provided support for health, education, care of the elderly and community activities.

Health

In 1995 a link was established between the hospitals in Ocotal and Swindon. We give funding for health care in general through hospitals, clinics, family doctors and specialists. Our sister committee, Fundacion Sol, which includes two doctors, decide where resources are needed. For example, they provide medicines, including treatment for cancer and antibiotics, specialist examinations and investigations, transport for patients to Managua, laboratory tests and washing machines for the Health Centre in Pueblos Unidos.

Old people's home

The centre in Ocotal is the last independent old people’s home in Nicaragua and offers a vital service to its residents who come from all over the country. SOL donations are used mainly for supplementary food and medicines, as well as items such as a sewing machine and shoes for residents. We give ongoing support which helps ensure that the Old People’s Home in Ocotal continues to survive.

Education

Whilst education is free in Ocotal, poverty means that parents cannot always manage to send their children to school. We support a total of some 25 primary and secondary school students who each receive bursaries worth $100 yearly, which is used for uniform including shoes, rucksacks and books. Three university students also receive $240 each year.