Agricultural Project

COMMIT launched a pilot garden project in the village of Nandarola under the expert guidance of a skilled Nicaraguan agronomist. This initiative has been a resounding success, growing from 10 original farmers to 20 participants, with expansion into an additional village.

The project’s primary goal is to provide healthy food options while empowering communities to become self-sufficient. By equipping local farmers with the skills and resources needed to grow their own food, the program fosters both nutritional well-being and economic sustainability.

This ongoing effort is a cornerstone of COMMIT’s mission, as it continues to expand into new villages and engage more participants from Nandarola. The project not only transforms lives by improving food security but also strengthens communities through sustainable agricultural practices.

Bee Keeping

A few years ago, COMMIT partnered with The Nicaragua Bee Project, a Wisconsin-based organization, to establish a bee hive initiative at the NPH orphanage on Ometepe Island. The group spent a week training NPH staff on bee care and maintenance, returning periodically to provide additional teaching and assess hive progress. Today, NPH not only uses the honey to benefit the children but also sells it, creating an additional revenue stream for the orphanage.

Inspired by this success, two farmers in the village of Nandarola have started their own bee projects. They are now harvesting honey successfully and plan to expand the initiative to include more farmers. With the return of experienced beekeepers to Nicaragua this fall, the project aims to grow further, empowering more farmers to benefit from sustainable beekeeping practices.

This initiative highlights COMMIT’s commitment to creating lasting, self-sustaining opportunities for the communities it serves.

Building Projects

The village of Nandarola approached COMMIT with a request for an addition to their existing community center, creating a dedicated space for women to sew. In October 2019, COMMIT’s building team worked hand-in-hand with the villagers to complete this much-needed expansion, fostering a stronger sense of community and opportunity.

In March 2022, the village of San Luis saw the completion of another vital project. COMMIT’s team constructed an addition to their Spanish building to accommodate a sewing co-op and renovated the existing structure to serve as a medical facility, enhancing both economic and healthcare opportunities for the village.

Looking ahead, COMMIT plans to build a new community center in Camerones Uno during the building team’s upcoming trip to Nicaragua in February 2025. This project reflects COMMIT’s continued dedication to empowering communities through sustainable infrastructure development.

Hospital support

For the past 12 years, COMMIT has been steadfast in its support of the hospital in Nandaime. Through monetary donations and the delivery of critical supplies, COMMIT has made a meaningful impact on the hospital's ability to provide care.

Over the years, COMMIT has shipped thousands of dollars' worth of beds, equipment, and medical supplies via shipping containers, ensuring the hospital is better equipped to meet the needs of its patients. Most recently, the hospital received a much-needed ultrasound machine, further enhancing its diagnostic capabilities.

This initiative remains an active and vital project for COMMIT, exemplifying our commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure in Nicaragua.

Music Program

COMMIT proudly hired music teacher Jhonny Flores to continue providing music education at several schools in Nicaragua. Jhonny works closely with Canadian music teacher Beverly Neeb to share the universal language of music with students.

In addition to providing expert instruction, COMMIT supplies a variety of musical instruments, ensuring that students have the tools they need to learn and enjoy music. The joy on the students' faces is a testament to the profound impact of these lessons, fostering creativity and community through the power of music.

Sewing Project

COMMIT established sewing co-ops in the villages of Nandarola and San Luis, providing education on the use and maintenance of sewing machines, along with essential materials and supplies. These co-ops have become vital to the communities, enabling members to create clothing for their families, produce hospital gowns for local healthcare facilities, and craft masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This initiative has proven to be a resounding success, fostering self-sufficiency and community support. COMMIT remains committed to nurturing these co-ops and encouraging their continued growth and impact.

Eco-Friendly Cookstoves

COMMIT is collaborating with Stove Team International to construct up to 750 eco-friendly stoves over the next three years. These stoves, known as Justa stoves, incorporate innovative rocket elbow technology, insulation, and a smoke stack for venting harmful emissions outdoors. This design replaces traditional open-fire cooking methods, which are highly inefficient and detrimental to the health of users.

The Justa stoves are at least 50% more efficient in reducing carbon emissions and greenhouse gases. They also significantly improve the health of families, particularly women and small children, who are most exposed to smoke from open fires. This project is a vital step toward healthier homes and a more sustainable future.

Clean, Safe Drinking Water

Access to clean, safe drinking water is a basic necessity, yet many villages in Nicaragua struggle without it. COMMIT has gifted two villages with deep, drilled wells that provide enough water to sustain their communities. Recently, wells were drilled in five additional villages, with water piped directly to homes in Nandarola and some areas of San Luis.

This life-changing initiative has been made possible through the collaboration of COMMIT, the Rotary Clubs of Stratford and Granada, and the support of the Nicaraguan government. By providing fresh, clean drinking water, COMMIT is improving the lives of hundreds of people and fostering healthier, more sustainable communities.