Agentskull
BoM Feb 14
Guys. Was there a group photo of the whole gang?
Thread for OE 2014 Pics and Updates
- Thread starter mdwest
- Start date
Short answer - yes. The pics posted so far are just some of the pictures from our cellphones.
The group photos and a host of other professionally shot hi-res images will appear in a future published report.
far better pics to be posted later..... this is the best one Ive got that has most of the group in it (Smoqman is notably missing.. he was busy hamming it up with another group of kids.. 
Last edited:
a few new pics up on the MPI website, twitter, FB, and instagram if anyone is interested in looking...
We (the group of us that went to Esteli) havent forgotten about posting up a detailed report on the trip or the promise to share a lot more photos.. We'll get something out soon... we've just all been swamped since getting back to the US... and honestly.. it takes a little while to let everything you see and witness on a trip like this sink in.. and to find words to express everything experienced..
more to follow..
We (the group of us that went to Esteli) havent forgotten about posting up a detailed report on the trip or the promise to share a lot more photos.. We'll get something out soon... we've just all been swamped since getting back to the US... and honestly.. it takes a little while to let everything you see and witness on a trip like this sink in.. and to find words to express everything experienced..
more to follow..
Received an email from the school in Esteli this afternoon.. they want to keep us updated on their activities and let us know about the good work that they continue to be able to accomplish through the funding we provided them with OE 2014... and provide us an "end of year" report..
Some cut and paste(s) from that report (and pics) are below..
With the help of funding given by OE 2014 2014, BOTL sought to improve primary education standards in Estelí, Nicaragua. Planned activities included:
1. To give students in the Estelí community access to a quality education.
2. To train Estelí teachers in the “learn by doing” methodology.
3. To train Estelí teachers through the “Train-the-trainer” program.
4. To organize experience exchange events between teachers.
5. To equip classrooms with learning materials.
As a result of these activities, the following was achieved:
Student Engagement
In 2014, served 2,005 primary students, a number which surpassed the expectations of the project (1,994). 98% of these students remained in school throughout the project period, an increase from the previous year’s retention rate of 95%.
Teacher Trainings
Provided 32 hours of training for 25 primary teachers (ten more than expected) during the project period. The trainings focused on a “learn by doing” methodology known as Enseñanza Abierta, a methodology that promotes active learning in place of rote lectures that are so common within the Nicaraguan school system. Teachers also received reinforcement lessons in Spanish Language, English, Math, and Science to ensure they had the knowledge needed to teach their students. Final evaluation showed that 20% demonstrated an excellent level of implementation, 50% demonstrated a high level, 15% demonstrated a satisfactory level, and 15% need improvement.
Train-the-Trainer
25 teachers participated in train-the-trainer trainings. These trainings took place at UNAN, a local university in Estelí. One 16-weekend section occurred between January and April and the other occurred between July and October. Thanks to these trainings, more teachers are now able to train other teachers in their area, resulting in a spread of knowledge and improved teacher quality in public schools.
Learning Materials
At the beginning of the 2014 school year, a large purchase of school materials to distribute to the center and public schools in Estelí was made. These materials included textbooks (literature, language, science, and social sciences), encyclopedias, art books, paper, notebooks, tape, glue, and writing utensils. The materials have enhanced the students’ learning experience and improved teachers’ ability to implement their lesson plans.
School Lunch Initiative
In 2014, over 50,000 meals were served to targeted children. Evaluations showed that 85% of targeted children that were of normal height and 71% were of normal weight. The percentage of children with normal weight increased by 14% from 2013 and the percentage of children with normal height decreased by 2%.
Conclusion
We would like to thank BOTL for its continued support of our organization and our mission to empower underserved children and families in Nicaragua. We hope this report sufficiently details the execution of your funding and the impact it achieved.
Some cut and paste(s) from that report (and pics) are below..
With the help of funding given by OE 2014 2014, BOTL sought to improve primary education standards in Estelí, Nicaragua. Planned activities included:
1. To give students in the Estelí community access to a quality education.
2. To train Estelí teachers in the “learn by doing” methodology.
3. To train Estelí teachers through the “Train-the-trainer” program.
4. To organize experience exchange events between teachers.
5. To equip classrooms with learning materials.
As a result of these activities, the following was achieved:
Student Engagement
In 2014, served 2,005 primary students, a number which surpassed the expectations of the project (1,994). 98% of these students remained in school throughout the project period, an increase from the previous year’s retention rate of 95%.
Teacher Trainings
Provided 32 hours of training for 25 primary teachers (ten more than expected) during the project period. The trainings focused on a “learn by doing” methodology known as Enseñanza Abierta, a methodology that promotes active learning in place of rote lectures that are so common within the Nicaraguan school system. Teachers also received reinforcement lessons in Spanish Language, English, Math, and Science to ensure they had the knowledge needed to teach their students. Final evaluation showed that 20% demonstrated an excellent level of implementation, 50% demonstrated a high level, 15% demonstrated a satisfactory level, and 15% need improvement.
Train-the-Trainer
25 teachers participated in train-the-trainer trainings. These trainings took place at UNAN, a local university in Estelí. One 16-weekend section occurred between January and April and the other occurred between July and October. Thanks to these trainings, more teachers are now able to train other teachers in their area, resulting in a spread of knowledge and improved teacher quality in public schools.
Learning Materials
At the beginning of the 2014 school year, a large purchase of school materials to distribute to the center and public schools in Estelí was made. These materials included textbooks (literature, language, science, and social sciences), encyclopedias, art books, paper, notebooks, tape, glue, and writing utensils. The materials have enhanced the students’ learning experience and improved teachers’ ability to implement their lesson plans.
School Lunch Initiative
In 2014, over 50,000 meals were served to targeted children. Evaluations showed that 85% of targeted children that were of normal height and 71% were of normal weight. The percentage of children with normal weight increased by 14% from 2013 and the percentage of children with normal height decreased by 2%.
Conclusion
We would like to thank BOTL for its continued support of our organization and our mission to empower underserved children and families in Nicaragua. We hope this report sufficiently details the execution of your funding and the impact it achieved.
Love to see the fruits of our efforts!!!!!! I am so proud to have been a part of that as well as a member of a community that was able to accomplish this amazing feat
Agentskull
BoM Feb 14
I cannot wait for next year's fund raising.
hdroadglide
BoM x 2, BoY 2011
Kinda makes you proud of old botl!
3/5King
Shwing!
Yes sir!
Thank you for keeping us in the loop Mdwest. I know next year we will top our efforts in what ever we do as collective BOTL
