Since March 1995, Pastors for Peace has been working in support of
the indigenous people of the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua by
supporting URACCAN, the University of the Autonomous Regions of
the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua. The goal of URACCAN is to
prepare the peoples of the region to manage their abundant natural
resources through a curriculum emphasizing fishery, forest
management and mining technology, as well aa engineering, nursing
and teacher training. Although the marine life on the Caribbean
Coast is unparalleled and the coastal rainforests second only to
those in Brazil, the current unemployment rate is 80% and the
region continues to suffer the effects of a long history of
foreign domination and exploitation.
Building a university is not easy. In the context of a post-war
economy with incredible unemployment, the task is especially
difficult. International support has been instrumental to
bringing URACCAN to this point. Much help is needed to build a
library collection, to enlarge the campuses and to establish a
sustaining scholarship fund.
You can help support the indigenous peoples of the Atlantic Coast
by joining our November Caravan to Chiapas and Nicaragua. The
efforts of URACCAN to strengthen autonomy through education,
sustainable development and jobs needs your direct participation.
There are several ways you can help:
- Sponsor part of a truck, or use your personal vehicle.
Sponsored trucks will be donated to URACCAN or an indigenous
community on the Atlantic coast. Each tenth of a truck costs
pounds of "space," whichever comes first, for humanitarian aid.
- Hold an educational event. Pastors for Peace is scheduling
caravan events along a number of US routes.
- Volunteer as a driver or participant. Dozens of volunteers are
needed. Contact Pastors for Peace for driver applications.
- Collect funds or material aid. (Please do not begin collections
of material aid until space on the caravan is confirmed.)
Nov 8-18 US routes, with public events in dozens of cities
Nov 19-21 Driver orientation in San Antonio, Texas Nov 22
Cross the border into Mexico Nov 23-28 Travel through
Mexico and Central America Nov 29 Border Crossing
into Nicaragua Nov 30-Dec. 7 Program in Managua and Puerta
Cabezas on the Atlantic Coast
A construction brigade is scheduled from December 7-17 to help
repair classroom buildings at URACCAN in Puerta Cabezas.
Join the US routes at any point or join in San Antonio. This is an
historic opportunity to participate directly in the ongoing
indigenous struggle for autonomy and sustainable development For
more information, contact