Past projects
Young
people & education
In 1997, SOL funded the construction of a pre-school and feeding station for 120
malnourished children, with food provided by the United Nations World Food Programme.
SOL also built classrooms for secondary school children, paved a play area and provided
equipment and materials. A sports stadium floor was constructed so that children had somewhere safe to play.
Community & water
Having access to clean water is essential to people’s health. SOL organised
the production and donation of water filters for purifying drinking water
for people who do not have access to safe drinking water in Ocotal. After
Hurricane Mitch we applied for £4 million of EU funding to rebuild
the water system in the town, which was agreed in Stockholm. SOL also constructed
60 latrines in the poorest area of Ocotal.
Hurricane Mitch
After the hurricane Mitch disaster of 1998, SOL provided emergency assistance
to the town of Ocotal. The community of Swindon gave £40,000 in
response to an emergency appeal and 7 tonnes of aid was flown to Nicaragua.
This included plastic sheeting, cooking
utensils, food, children’s clothes, toiletries and first aid
kits.
Pueblos Unidos
After the devastation of Hurricane Mitch many families were left homeless.
SOL contributed towards the construction of 350 houses, along with a new school
and medical centre, for families affected by the crisis.
European Links
In Ocotal, European co-operation is expressed through valuable
social projects. Swindon believes it is important for the European towns supporting
Ocotal to meet, share experiences and support one another. Over the years there have
been several successful international conferences.
Trips
Most years, people from Swindon and Ocotal travel to each other’s town to meet,
offer support and celebrate the friendships between our communities.
Young People
SOL has organised and co-ordinated trips for young people from Swindon to travel to Ocotal.
They have worked on community projects and, together with young people from Ocotal, they have
shared experiences and learnt about each other’s ways of life.
