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2 February 2008
At the helm
Each morning and afternoon Anibal takes the tiller of a boat called La Nina. Although he is only 11, Anibal takes this responsibility very seriously.
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Anibal captains the boat that carries him and his
classmates to and from school.
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Anibal lives on a tiny island, one of 365 islets on Lake Nicaragua. His island is known for its bananas and his father harvests banana leaves for use in traditional Nicaraguan cuisine. Lake Nicaragua is beautiful, but also dangerous – storms can quickly arise, making long journeys between islands hazardous.
The nearest school is on another island, so Anibal has to brave the waters each day. In the past, his father would paddle him to school in their canoe and so his school attendance depended on the weather.
When World Vision began working with the Aguas Azules community, staff quickly discovered the erratic school attendance of island children and came up with a unique solution: school motorboats that would pick up students each day, reducing lengthy journeys to a matter of minutes. Anibal’s is one of three boats World Vision has provided and supplied with life jackets.
While the teacher supervises the daily journey to collect seven other students – half of the total enrolled in the school – it is Anibal who takes charge. “I like to pick up and drop off my friends, because this way they can come to school and learn too,” Anibal says.
Anibal’s school lacked basic facilities, so World Vision has provided materials for a community stationery shop, a small library where the children and teacher can work, and a bathroom. World Vision also provides a tutor for weekly extracurricular classes in sewing, painting and traditional hammock making. Anibal takes part in the hammock-making group.
Thanks to World Vision’s assistance, Anibal and his friends will be able to complete their education and hopefully fulfill their plans for the future – Anibal hopes to become an engineer.
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Aguas Azules project profile
AGUAS AZULES STORY ARCHIVE
2008
At the helm
Snippets
2007
A short, but heart touching, visit
Snippets
2006
Aguas Azules photo album
2005
Snippets
Inspiring story
2004
Snippets
Know your rights
Common Theme
2003
Common pot
Snippets
University dream comes true
2002
Tourist guides
Pilot project continues
Not a fisherman forever
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