What We Do
Somos Ohana is an all volunteer organization called to cooperate with groups or individuals seeking to improve their lives, especially those who are marginalized by socio-economic, political, cultural, or enviornmental conditions.
The community of Villanueva, in the northwestern part of Nicaragua, receives us each year as partners. We work with the local teachers, nurses, doctors, farmers, parents of children with special needs, to address a few of the many urgent needs they face each day.
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Our Partners in Villanueva
Along the years we have developed very trustworthy partners in Villanueva who work with us to decide what projects are needed and wanted, and on whom we depend to communicate with the people and carry out the projects after we leave. Our esteemed and appreciated partners are included in these testimonials.
Maura, Pukalani, MauiMaria Dolores Espinosa Huete, the national Ministry of Education’s delegate in the Municipality of Villanueva.
Maura, Pukalani, MauiCarlos Mesa, Director of the high school in Villanueva (Instituto Nacional de Villanueva) and the rural branch high school in La Carreta.
Maura, Pukalani, MauiJuan Gomez Mayor of Villanueva and the municipal council.
Maura, Pukalani, MauiThe doctors of the Villanueva hospital/medical clinic under the direction of Dr. Alma Cadena.
Maura, Pukalani, MauiThe brigadistas, a volunteer group for health and education (Registered Nurses Candida Betanco and Antonia Gomez and community volunteers Juanita Pineda, and Lucas Mercado).
Maura, Pukalani, MauiNeptalia (Tala) Escobar, RN Retired, Director of the Villanueva community clinic.
Maura, Pukalani, MauiDr. Rosa Amalia Reyes, DDS.
Maura, Pukalani, MauiSergio Escorcia, owner of Finca San Ignacio where we are honored to hold our annual day camp for special needs youth.
Maura, Pukalani, MauiTeachers of the schools that we support.
Maura, Pukalani, MauiPastors of the local churches.
Maura, Pukalani, MauiFamilies in the Villanueva community who house and feed our volunteers.
Maura, Pukalani, MauiParents who bring their children with special needs to the day camp. One of the mothers at camp said, “Here (at the day camp) the children are accepted for who they are; they feel self-confident, and that transfers into the classrooms and their homes.”
Maura, Pukalani, Maui