Hello, and welcome to the new blog about Solentiname. We have established some categories for the major events and programs in Solentiname.
Please stay tuned, we are updating solentiname.org, to get a bit more funtionality, and information on the site. Next we will be working on the tourism sections of hotels, guides and other info.
Thanks for checking and and please register if you would like to stay involved.
Hello, not sure who reads this, if I should write in Spanish or English. I came to visit Solentime in June of 2004. I was doing a photography project for my thesis in college. Now, six years later I am interested in returning. This time I want to stay for longer and volunteer in whatever I have the skills to provide and is needed.
I would love to hear more about what is goiing on in the community from anyone reading this.
Thanks!
Leticia*
We are in Managua with great news to report:
8 of the graduating class of 16 have enrolled in University in Manuga or Leon. We are very proud of these students who have been attending the Prep Class for the last three months. Their work is not over yet, but it is on the way. We still have to prepare for the Entrance Exam, but the first step is extending the opportunity so that they can participate, and 8 have signed up to attend University. More news later, but we wanted to share this news now.
EBS Baile:
Our first session of EBS Baile starts this weekend! We are incredibly excited to begin this program in living memory of Elena Bright Shapiro. Three teachers are coming to Mancarron from San Carlos in order to teach traditional Nicaraguan folklore dancing. We met Rómel, the main instructor in San Carlos Tuesday, and he seems incredibly enthusiastic and passionate about dance. He along with the two other instructors will arrive Friday night, and begin with an introductory class. The lessons will continue all day Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, with a performance Monday evening for the community. We are holding the classes in the main auditorium of Hotel Manarrún. They were nice enough to provide us with this room for free. We can´t wait to get started with the program, and hope to provide you with an update early next week!
CPU
We just wrapped up our second session of Clase de Preparación Universitaria (CPU), and we are excited to report on another very successful week! After much success during our first pilot month, we were a bit anxious to see whether or not such level of success would continue throughout the four remaining months in the school year. Incredibly, we had near perfect attendance from thirty-two students. For a variety of reasons, we had three students who were forced to drop out of the second session, but luckily we received three new students – two from Mancarrón and one La Venada.
In response to our students’ evaluations from September’s session, we decided to make some changes and additions to this month’s course. First, we hired another professor from UNAN León to instruct a course on Spanish grammar. According to our students, the two subjects in which they struggle most are both mathematics and grammar. We are very happy to inform you that our new Spanish professor, Yessenia, was absolutely wonderful. She brought with her a strong motivation, passion for teaching, and a very intense teaching style that was well received by her students.
Perhaps the biggest addition we made this session was our new entrance exam prep class that was instructed by both of our UNAN León professors. Our students met every morning for three hours in the Ernesto Cardenal library. Out of the thirty-two participants, we averaged between eighteen and twenty-two students attending the voluntary entrance exam prep class ever morning. After their intensive morning session, the students ate a quick lunch and returned to English, Math, and Spanish classes until 5:30 p.m. We were very pleased, once again, with the outstanding attendance of our thirty-two students.
The last and possibly most important addition that we made this session was the creation of our advanced S.P.I.D.E.R. class (Students with Persistence, Independence, Dedication, Education, and Respect). We created this group in an attempt to provide our sobresalientes with an opportunity to receive more challenging, advanced college prep classes. Given our large attendance, we wanted to ensure high level of instruction for those students who are bit more motivated and serious about attending university.
Our next CPU session is planned for November 15th and we will or course be sure to keep you updated. Peace and all the best
Austin and Caroline
Our first session of EBS Baile starts this weekend! We are incredibly excited to begin this program in living memory of Elena Bright Shapiro. Three teachers are coming to Mancarron from San Carlos in order to teach traditional Nicaraguan folklore dancing. We met Rómel, the main instructor in San Carlos Tuesday, and he seems incredibly enthusiastic and passionate about dance. He along with the two other instructors will arrive Friday night, and begin with an introductory class. The lessons will continue all day Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, with a performance Monday evening for the community. We are holding the classes in the main auditorium of Hotel Manarrún. They were nice enough to provide us with this room for free. We can´t wait to get started with the program, and hope to provide you with an update early next week!
Leer Solentiname continues to be in its initial stages, but is making great progress. We have a total of 12 out of 14 students from the primary grades (first, second, and third) attending sessions regularly. We created an incentive based program to encourage attendance, in which every three times a student attends, they receive a small prize, and the ninth time they attend, they receive a larger prize. The students are very
enthusiastic about the program, and most would attend without the promise of an incentive. However, we feel it is important reward students for making the positive choice of coming to a reading group during their free time.
We meet with the first grade students every Tuesday afternoon. We practice group reading in which the students take turns reading pages aloud to the entire group. Each week, the book focuses on a different group of letters or sounds. For example, last week we read a book that focused on ¨ca, co, and cu.¨ Afterward, the students are asked to do an activity that reinforces their understanding of these letters and sounds. To continue with the previous example, students were asked to look back in the story and make lists of words that started with each of the sounds. We are working really hard to create a reading environment in which students are patient with and encourage each other while reading.
We meet with the second and third grades every Wednesday afternoon. We have started reading Charlotte´s Web, and the students absolutely love it. We begin each session by reading a chapter aloud from the book. Afterward, the students are asked to complete a worksheet which asks what the chapter was about, and which was their favorite part. These are important questions to enhance main idea and sequence of events skills, but also importantly ask the student of his/her opinion of the chapter. After this activity, we either do independent reading, in which students select their own books, or complete an activity as a group that works on a specific skill set.
Future goals for Leer Solentiname include expanding the program to the higher primary grades, and eventually to other elementary school in the islands. We eventually hope to create a rotating library of books that can travel to each of the eight elementary schools.
Hello Alianza Members!
We just wrapped up our second session of Clase de Preparación Universitaria (CPU), and we are excited to report on another very successful week! After much success during our first pilot month, we were a bit anxious to see whether or not such level of success would continue throughout the four remaining months in the school year. Incredibly, we had near perfect attendance from thirty-two students. For a variety of reasons, we had three students who were forced to drop out of the second session, but luckily we received three new students – two from Mancarrón and one La Venada.
In response to our students’ evaluations from September’s session, we decided to make some changes and additions to this month’s course. First, we hired another professor from UNAN León to instruct a course on Spanish grammar. According to our students, the two subjects in which they struggle most are both mathematics and grammar. We are very happy to inform you that our new Spanish professor, Yessenia, was absolutely wonderful. She brought with her a strong motivation, passion for teaching, and a very intense teaching style that was well received by her students.
Perhaps the biggest addition we made this session was our new entrance exam prep class that was instructed by both of our UNAN León professors. Our students met every morning for three hours in the Ernesto Cardenal library. Out of the thirty-two participants, we averaged between eighteen and twenty-two students attending the voluntary entrance exam prep class ever morning. After their intensive morning session, the students ate a quick lunch and returned to English, Math, and Spanish classes until 5:30 p.m. We were very pleased, once again, with the outstanding attendance of our thirty-two students.
The last and possibly most important addition that we made this session was the creation of our advanced S.P.I.D.E.R. class (Students with Persistence, Independence, Dedication, Education, and Respect). We created this group in an attempt to provide our sobresalientes with an opportunity to receive more challenging, advanced college prep classes. Given our large attendance, we wanted to ensure high level of instruction for those students who are bit more motivated and serious about attending university.
Our next CPU session is planned for November 15th and we will or course be sure to keep you updated. Peace and all the best
Austin and Caroline
Hello Solentiname Community!
Austin here, reporting on our very first session of Clase de Preparaciòn Universiaria (CPU) in Solentiname. For those of you who not familiar with our new CPU project, the Alianza de Solentiname is working to provide Solentiname high school students with a real chance to not only attend the college of their choosing, but also to succeed and flourish in the university setting. Due to lack of government funding combined with the sheer remoteness of the islands, Solentiname high school students only receive class cada quince (once every fifteen days). Unfortunately for our students, motivation and drive simply is not enough when they receive such a miniscule amount of formal schooling. In an attempt to close the education gap and increase success in college for our most motivated students, the Alianza has introduced CPU, which provides Solentiname sobresalientes a one week intensive college preparatory class. The Alianza is working in solidarity with UNAN Leon University who is sending two college professors each month to instruct the students throughout our intensive week of classes. September 20th marked the first day of our first CPU session. In short, our first session was an absolute success!
We came into this project with the expectation of receiving 8 to 10 dedicated students. Instead we had 28 fully active participants, most of whom had perfect attendance. Those students from other islands Each day was filled with 6 hours of math and English class, a morning tutorial session with our UNAN profesora, and nightly extracurricular activities. We initially assumed the students would be so burnt out on the intensive afternoon class schedule that they would not want to take advantage of the morning tutoring nor the night activities. Quite the contrary! On average, we had between 15 and 20 students studying one on one with the UNAN profesora, Susana, from 9:00 a.m. until lunch. In the evenings, we maintained a solid group of students who voluntarily attended our guest lectures, game nights, and poetry sessions with Ernesto Cardenal. On our last day, we had a great closing party full of dancing and refreshments. The students cannot wait until their next session! This just goes to show how hungry these students are for knowledge and, if given the opportunity, will take full advantage of their access to education.
Our next CPU session is planned for October 18-25. In order to improve and build upon our great success in September, we have met with students and parents to listen to their suggestions. For our next session, we will be bringing TWO university professors from UNAN Leòn who will be teaching a mathematics and Spanish grammar class. Additionally, the Alianza will be focusing on our core group of this year's college applicants to make sure they are well prepared for next year. This of course means that we will need to find the finances necessary for attending 5 years of university. In an attempt to allay the financial burden of university, the Alianza has started a Beca Fund (Scholarship) for all of our CPU participants. After several months of participation in our program, our college-bound students will have accumulated a substantial amount money to help with food and school supplies.
This should bring you all up to date on our first week of CPU class! We will be sure to update you as soon as we end October's session on the 25th.
Peace and All the Best,
Austin Buchan
Local Coordinator for APSS
Leer Solentiname is a program designed to improve the level of literacy in youth on the islands, while fostering a greater love of reading and learning. Currently, many youth are reading below grade level in Solentiname. The aim of the project is to improve both their reading level and confidence in their ability, in order to develop a general intellectual curiosity and thirst for knowledge. We believe that developing a love of reading at an early age is essential. Research has shown that good readers are more likely to stay and succeed in school and develop critical thinking skills that will aid them in both making positive choices in life and in the aid of their communities.
We have started a pilot program on the island of Mancarron working with the primary school teacher, and grades 1-3. We meet for one hour each week outside of school with each grade. We begin each session with a read-aloud. This promotes critical listening comprehension skills in students. With first grade, after the read-aloud, we choose a book and do a group reading session asking various students to read aloud, asking important reading comprehension questions throughout the story. When a student struggles with a word, the other students are following along and can aid this student in the sounding out of the word. After the story, each student is asked to tell the teacher something about the story, and write three to five words that they remember and/or learned from the story. With students from grades 2 and 3, we are currently reading aloud Harry Potter. After the read-aloud, we have a wide selection of books from a variety of levels from which students may choose. They practice independently reading the book, but have the support of the teachers if they are struggling or need help. After reading the book, they are asked to fill out a worksheet that focuses on a specific reading comprehension skill such as: sequence of events, author’s purpose, main idea, etc. We are currently using a program called Reading A-Z, which provides printable books that can be used to determine and track a students reading level. Once the reading level of a student is determined, goals can be set for advancement in their level.
So far, students have been incredibly receptive to the program. Students are excited to come (and do so voluntarily), and very enthusiastic to read aloud. Their teacher, Johana, has done a remarkable job of investing them in the importance of reading. Thanks to a recent donation of books and materials from a public school in Austin, Texas, we have doubled the number of books and resources that are available to students here. The students are delighted to have real books with bright pictures in their hands. Furthermore, we now have chapter books for our more developed readers.
The ultimate goal of this project is to expand it to each of the eight elementary schools in the islands. We hope to create a viable reading program in each school, with a library that can rotate between schools. We truly believe in the potential of the students of Solentiname. If we can foster a love of reading and learning at an early age, we believe that the benefits will be innumerable.
Right now, our pilot program is in its primary stage, but seems to be very successful. We are excited to start expanding the program to the other islands, but lack enough books and resources at this time to do so. If you would like to donate books, resources, and/or money, please see the donation option tab at solentiname.org, or get in touch with Carolyn Parker or Jim Walker ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) to talk about sending down books! We can also always use volunteers, so if this interests you, please get in touch with us about a volunteer opportunity!
Our Mission
Elena was a compassionate, honest and trusting young woman who cared deeply for others. She and her family have always been sensitive leaving our world a better place than we found it, and help individuals overcome odds and obstacles and live their lives to the fullest.
Solentiname Solidarity Alliance, with the support of Elena’s close family and friends, has established a memorial fund to honor the life of Elena Bright Shapiro. The Alliance is incredibly honored to be involved in creating a living memory of Elena in Solentiname Nicaragua. It gives her family peace to know that dance lessons are being provided in Elena's name to continue her commitment to dance and their family's personal ties to Nicaragua.
The Elena Bright Shapiro Memorial Fund will be sponsored by the Solentiname Solidarity Alliance which will administer the collection and distribution of donations under its charter as a 501 C-3 (awaiting final approval) nonprofit organization. Funds collected will be managed by a committee of family and friends to assure that all funds are used directly for the objectives in the Fundacion de Baile Elena Bright Shapiro.
You can make a donation to the Fundacion de Baile Elena Bright Shapiro by sending a check to Regi Bright, 318 Barracuda Place, Corpus Christi, Texas 78411; or by using your credit card or PayPal account on the secure website of Solentiname Solidarity Alliance.
The Objectives of the Fundacion de Baile Elena Bright Shapiro are to:
•To have a monthly workshop of dance in Solentiname.
•For local dancers to participate in performances in Solentiname, as well as regional, national and international festivals, competion’s and cultural exchanges.
•To broaden the art of dance in Solentiname by hosting professional instruction in classical ballet, and other forms of contemporary dance.
•Solidarity and cultural exchange
•To make available, as possible, scholarships for motivated dancers from Solentiname. In the spirit of Elena
The Fundacion de Baile Elena Bright Shapiro is guided by the Vision and Mission of the Solentiname Solarity Alliance. The Vision of the Alianza de Solentiname (Solentiname Solidarity Alliance) is to affirm a shared membership in one human family and commit ourselves to work for justice and peace, honoring the dignity and strengths of each person guided by the principle of consensual decision making.
The Mission of the Alianza de Solentiname is to be a collaborative partnership of the people of Solentiname and other organizations to promote social and economic justice through alternative models of sustainable community development and activism. Our Vision is different than the conventional charity model; our goal is work for independence, self- sufficiency and sustainability within our community, steering away from continued dependence on external donations and outside assistance. Our mission statement guides our programs by recognizing the delicate nature of the culture and community. We strive to empower local residents, as partners with a sustainable approach to their project work that recognizes the long-term impact and viability of their efforts
On September 11th 2009, Elena Shapiro, cousin of Alianza volunteer Austin Buchan, was tragically killed by a drunk driver in Raleigh, North Carolina at the age of 20. Elena was a beautiful, aspiring young woman who spent her entire life dedicated to the wonderful art of ballet. Since the age of 10, Elena has worked meticulously in perfecting this art, working with a variety of dance companies including the Carolina Ballet, The Boston Ballet, the North Carolina School of the Arts, and Wake Forest University Community Ballet. Her passion for dance was fueled by her entire family who have also devoted their lives to ballet. Elena's mother, Brantly Shapiro, danced for a number of prestigious companies throughout the world, her older sister, Bibiana, danced until the age of 18, while her older brother continues to dance professionally in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Apart from Elena's dedication to the arts, she comes from a family with a lifelong commitment to Nicaragua. Ann Bright, Elena's grandmother, traveled to and lived in Nicaragua as a volunteer and peace worker during the violent civil war of the 1980s. This same love and passion for those in need resonated in the life and actions of Elena.
In an attempt to share her lifelong passion for dance and continue her family's commitment to Central America, the Alianza para Solentiname has created the Fundaciòn de Baile Elena Shapiro. The funds received in Elena's name will be used to restart the youth folklore dance group of Solentiname, expand opportunities for youth interested in pursuing a life of dance, as well as introduce new, modern forms of dance. Over the centuries, dance has proven to be one of the most unifying and culturally rich traditions of Solentiname, and we are honored to embrace this tragic event for the recreation of such an enriching Nicaraguan tradition. In the past, the Solentiname Dance Group attended workshops instructed by a professional teacher from San Carlos who is trained in the classical dance of Nicaragua. In addition to revamping these workshops in folklore dance, the Alianza will be working to bring professional dancers from the United States to collaborate and train the young, aspiring dancers of Solentiname in other Classical and Contemporary Ballet. At the end of these workshops, both groups will perform for the entire community of Solentiname, exhibiting the cross-cultural worlds of dance, all in the memory of Elena Shapiro.
For more information about the Carolina Ballet and Elena Bright Shapiro -- please follow this link.
Effective Strategies for Alternative Education Programs
Aronson (1995) identifies from a number of studies the characteristics of successful alternative education programs. The most easily recognisable aspects these programs included such features as there culture or climate, organisational structure, curriculum and instruction, and their links to other programs and services. The creative design of programs to meet the specific needs of students and community necessitates that the way programs look may vary, however, these general features exist across the range of successful programs. The outline developed by Aronson was identified from a variety of studies (Butchart 1986; Jacobs 1994; Kadel 1994; Kershaw & Blank 1993; Morley 1991; Raywid 1994; Rogers 1991).
Successful Features of Alternative Education Programs
Culture and Climate
Organisational Structure
Curriculum and Instruction
Dear Friends of Solentiname,
It has been a busy and exciting year in Solentiname. It is hard to believe that the past six months went by so quickly. Between computer and English classes, leading a few canoe trips, building a new boat and house there was not much time to relax in the hammock. But there was time to spend time with old friends, make new friends and see participation in the program grow and students excel in their studies.
A very special thanks to friends who have supported the program through cash donations, in kind donations, volunteering or moral support. We appreciate all of your kind words and encouragement. We are hopeful that if you have not been to Solentiname yet you will make plans to come down and visit us and see and experience for your self this wonderful corner of the world.
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