1. NICARAGUA | SEPTEMBER 2012May 2012 Paul Treadwell

2. First-hand experience of how rural outreach/extensionagencies in a foreign culture address issues similar tothose that New York faces. Development of a multi-disciplined Extension Educatornetwork that will work together in the future to provideinterdisciplinary solutions to complex problems. Opportunity for Educators to learn about themselves inrelation to other global citizens and return home withrenewed enthusiasm to develop innovative Extensionprograms Enhancement of Cooperative Extensions ability to makeinformed decisions that strengthen youth, families andcommunities, sustain natural resources, and improve theeconomy. BENEFITS OF INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES 3. There are a number of factors contributing to ourselection of Nicaragua as the environment forour international learning activity: Active connections to non-profits working in Nicaragua Connection to the National University of Nicaragua Ease of access and relatively low cost of travelWHY NICARAGUA ? 4. GEOGRAPHYApproximately the size of NewYork State.3 zones Pacific Lowlands Central Highlands Caribbean Lowlands 5. ECONOMY coffee, beef, gold, sugar, shrimpand lobster, industrial goods. 2nd poorest country in theAmericas 6. A LITTLE HISTORY 1821 Independence from Spain 1849 Railway and Canal Treaty 1856 William Walker Somoza Regime 1936-1979 July 1979 Sandinista revolution 7. U.S. INTERVENTIONS IN NICARAGUA1907-1990 1907 - U.S. war ships take possession of Fonseca Gulf. 1910 - : U.S. troops impose a puppet government 1912-33 - U.S. military assistance requested to controlcivil unrest. 1934 - Sandino successfully expels U.S. armed forcesfrom Nicaragua. The U.S. withdraws, leaving Nicaraguanmilitary officer, Anastasio Somoza as Commander of theNational Guard. 1981-90 The Contra war 8. WILLIAM WALKER 1856 President of Nicaragua Invited to Nicaragua during civil war Took power, recognized by President Pierce as legitimate governor of Nicaragua. Torched Granada during retreat. 9. SANDINO U.S Military occupation of Nicaragua, 1927-33 Sandino fought against the occupation, propagated aNationalist ideology Betrayed after negotiations with Sacasa (president) tolay down arms Assassinated By the National Guard Commanded by Anastasio Somoza Garcia 10. Somoza and sons1936-1979 11. THE SANDINISTA REVOLUTIONJuly 1979 12. A LITTLE CULTURE A nation of poets Christian largely Catholic with an increase inevangelical Mostly mestizo, except: Caribbean coast - English influence 3 main indigenous languages and identities Gallo Pinto 13. Ruben DarioFATALITYThe tree is happy because it is scarcely sentient;the hard rock is happier still, it feels nothing:there is no pain as great as being alive,no burden heavier than that of conscious life.To be, and to know nothing, and to lack a way,and the dread of having been, and futureterrors...And the sure terror of being dead tomorrow,and to suffer all through life and through thedarkness,and through what we do not know and hardlysuspect...And the flesh that temps us with bunches of coolgrapes,and the tomb that awaits us with its funeralsprays,and not to know where we go,nor whence we came!... 14. 2011-2012 TRIPS WITH STUDENTSJanuary 2012 Learning Exchange to Nicaragua. 15. COFFEE, CRAFTS AND CULTUREJanuary 2012 Learning Exchange to Nicaragua. 16. LEARNING THROUGH EXPERIENCE We do not serve, this isnot service learning. Collaborative learningmodel evolved fromdiscussions in Nicaragua. Focus on activities andexperiences to buildsolidarityInternational solidarity is "not an act of charity but an act of unity between allies fighting ondifferent terrains toward the same objectives." - Samora Machel 17. 2011 LEARNING EXCHANGE 18. WHY A LEARNING EXCHANGE? We wanted to shift the model of service learning. Collaborative learning model evolved from discussions in Nicaragua. 19. SEPTEMBER 2012 EXTENSION TRIP September 07 16th, 2012 20. September 7, 2012: ManaguaArrive at the Sandino International Airport in Managua. First night spent at BestWestern. Introduction to Nicaragua, General discussion of expectations,activities and schedule.September 8: Travel to San RamonMorning departure for San Ramon with a stop in Matagalpa to change money,possible visit to Museum of Coffee, Lunch and Biblioteca La Chsipa. Arrive SanRamon in the afternoon, meet host families, settle in. After dinner with hostfamilies convene at Planting Hope office.September 9 Cooperatives and SustainabilityBreakfast with host families, meet for travel to La Pita. From La Pita to LaHermandad (coffee cooperative). Meet members to discuss coffee production,visit projects on the finca related to sustainability, eco-tourism.Return SanRamon and dinner with host familiesSeptember 10 San Ramon CAN and UCA youth and cooperatives inpromoting community food sovereigntyCommunity Agroecology Network and UCA San Ramon field visit to acooperative, afternoon discussion of collaborative possibilities, potential projectdevelopment. Focus on the role of youth and cooperatives in promotingcommunity food sovereignty in the communities in the municipality.Tentative Schedule September 7 September 16, 2012 21. September 11 Microenterprise, Women and Economic DevelopmentBreakfast with host families, meet for travel to El Chile. Visit Tejido Indigena ElChile (weavers) and others in the community. Return to San Ramon for lunch.Afternoon meeting with Colectivo Mujeres Ecologistas and others.September 12 Travel to LeonDepart San Ramon. Possibility of visit to El Sauce for microenteprise and youthdevelopment tour and discussion(Connection with SUNY Geneseo program).Arrive Leon in the afternoon and meet with participants/potential collaboratorsfrom UNAN Leon (Universidad Nacional Autnoma de Nicaragua)September 13 LeonUNAN Leon and region community developmentSeptember 14 Masaya | GranadaMorning travel to Masaya Market. Afternoon arrival in Granada.September 15 GranadaLaguna de Apoyo unwinding, preparation for return home. Evening final groupdiscussion, exploration of future work, reflections.September 16Travel to Managua Airport-return homeTentative Schedule September 7 September 16, 2012 22. Collaborators in Nicaragua 23. SAN RAMONSeptember 8-11 24. HOMESTAYS 25. LA HERMANDADSeptember 9 26. EL CHILESeptember 11 27. LEONSeptember 12 and 13 28. GRANADASeptember 14-15 29. Lodging - $400.00 Food - $250.00 Transportation - $350.00 In country staff assistance - $100.00 Coordination / Misc costs -$250.00 Total for 9 days - $1350.00 If we exceed 10 participants, cost will be reduced to$1250.00 Current (May 04, 2012) Flight cost from LaGuardia (NYC) toManagua - $570.00 ($600.00 from Syracuse) THE COST(Not including airfare) 30. Paul Treadwell pt36@cornell.edu More about San Ramon http://learninginsolidarity.wordpress.com/san- ramon/QUESTION AND MORE INFO